The photograph above is of Study Faces that are a by- product of the instructor’s carve along instructional go-by for doing the preliminary steps during a class. Those instructional pieces served their purpose and now have been completely carved to become visual examples of various faces that can be carved following the initial steps of carving the basic landmarks of a face. Read the rest of this entry »
The Rule of Three for facial proportions is applied to a carved Santa ornament to illustrate how to visually keep proportions in perspective in a face with a mustache, beard and long hair while half the forehead is covered by the hat.
The three divisions of the length of the face are: Hairline to Eyebrow; Eyebrow to Bottom of Nose; and Bottom of Nose to Bottom of Chin. When carving a face with a beard, the carver visually imagines where the chin is located under the beard. When carving a mustache, the carver follows the Rule of Three for the area between the nose and chin with the mustache fitting into the first third proportion between Nose and Top of Upper Lip. The middle third includes both lips down to the groove between lips and chin. If the mustache is carved as big and bushy so that it extends and covers the lips, then the lips are not carved. Rather there is an indention carved under the mustache to indicate that underneath the bushy mustache there is a mouth hidden from view.
If the Rule of Three of proportions is not followed and a bushy mustache is carved on the face of Santa and the carver carves in the bottom lip then the end result may give the appearance that the mouth is located where the chin is supposed to be located.
While the length of the face is divided into thirds proportionally, the width of the face is equal to two thirds of the length. A carving that is carved following the understanding of “proportions” will result in a carving looking right. On the other hand, when the “proportions” are out of proportion, then there is something about the carving that will not look right.
Caricature carving is “exaggeration of realism” which does exaggerate proportions for a caricature effect that is done on purpose. In order to “exaggerate realism” the carver must first have a clear understanding of correct proportions of realism before any on the proportions can be exaggerated.
To learn more about the Rule of Three facial proportions, look under the section of this blog entitled BEE HIVE and click on “Face Eye Study 2” which can also be printed.
It is fun as well as instructional to study old, antique and vintage wood carvings. Often they are available at flea markets, antique or thrift stores and auctions at a reasonable price. Their value is in studying each carving to imagine how the artist and creator executed the carving process with the efficiency of each cut as well as studying the pose and coloring effects. Some may need some repair providing an opportunity to try one’s hand of making those repairs and blending in the color. Vintage carving can also serve as models for one’s own interpretation of the subject of the model.
The photos presented here include a repair done of the Quaker man’s hat and an often repeated theme of a man sitting in a rocking chair that was carved for the tourist trade seventy five years ago. All of which provide excellent study in the art of carving in the vintage style of tourist souvenirs. (click on each photo to enlarge) Read the rest of this entry »
Three Cowpoke carvings are presented here as a visual study through photographs of the variations that can be carved in a similar subject. The WOOD BEE CARVER has been carving seriously for over forty years and yet every carving project continues to be a learning experience, a challenge in improving and refining the design and execution of the carving process. The three cowpoke carvings are the latest lessons learned and are shared here as examples for anyone who would like to carve their own cowpoke. Read the rest of this entry »
Carving heads into wooden clothes pins is a novel way to practice carving heads and faces since every face carved in never a lost effort because there is always something new to learn. This brief visual tutorial about carving on a clothes pin is another way to reinforce the process of face carving. (click on photos to enlarge) Read the rest of this entry »
