In every block of wood there is a carving subject waiting to be set free by carving away all the wood that does not look like the subject imagined.  Or so the old saying goes.

Such is the case of the subject of carving a hobo envisioned in a block of wood.  The first photo shows Sage of the Road standing in front of a basswood block.  Sage was used as a model for the Hobo Rube whose story was told in the February  26, 2009 posting of “Carving Hobo Rube.”  The second photo shows Rube standing in front of a block of basswood from which Hobo Cedrick will be carved in this posting.

These three photographs depict the progression of shaping the block of wood into a hobo.  The first step is to remove wood around the area that will represent the cap and head of Cedrick.  The head is still only a basic form that also reveals the shoulder area.

Now the RULE OF THREE Body Proportions  comes into play.  Divide the block of wood from shoulder to bottom of feet into thirds using the RULE OF THREE:  Shoulders to Waist is one third; Waist to Mid Knee is one third, Mid Knee to Bottom of Feet is one third.

These four photographs reveal the progression of Cedrick carved to the basic form, then carved in detail and finally receiving his true colors.  Click on each photo to enlarge for further study of the various details that enhance the carving of Cedrick.

Look for the “S” curves in the posture, flow of clothing and wrinkles.  Notice the torn knee and patch in trousers and elbow of jacket.  Notice the shoulder seams of the jacket coming apart.  Notice the toes peeking out of the shoes and even the toe nails.  The thumb nail on the right hand was created with a slicing cut across the top of the thumb to create a reflective facet.

The cigar, cap bill and toes of shoes received a soaking of super glue to strengthen the weak and thin cross grained areas.

These three photographs show the progressive development of the head and face of Cedrick.  The first photo shows the basic form while the second and third show the detailing of the face.

Study the three photographs to see that the face is divided using the RULE OF THREE Facial Proportions: Hairline to Eyebrow is one third; Eyebrow to Bottom of Nose is one third; Bottom of Nose to Bottom of Chin is one third.

The Ear sits on the back half of the head in the middle third of the face being equal in height with the Eyebrow and Bottom of Nose.

The area  between the bottom of Nose and Chin is also Divided by the RULE OF THREE: Bottom of Nose to Top Lip is one third; Top of Lip to Indention between Bottom Lip and Chin is one third; Indention to Chin is one third.

Three views of the completed Cedrick carved out of a block of wood.  In every block of wood there is a carving subject waiting to be liberated.

The act of carving is to set free what is hidden inside a piece of wood and also  what is hidden within every carver  to set the carver free to experience creativity and discovery.

So, carve your way to freedom.