The Three Amigos are grown up versions of Whittle Folk ‘Pokes in that they are carved from a one and a half inch square block six inches tall and were carved using traditional carving tools while Whittle Folk ‘Pokes are carved using only a knife and are only four inches tall by three quarters of an inch square.

In the photographic journey that follows one will see the progression of the carving process as each Amigo takes form and then detail shape.  Each is carved first to the basic form of a cowboy and then carved in detail keeping in mind that the carver can not rush the detail part of carving until an adequate form or basic foundation has been established.  “Form follows Function and Detail follows Form” is the rule to be followed when carving a project.

These four photographs show the basic steps of beginning to carve the form of the Three Amigos.  The first photograph  begins on the left with the square block of wood.  Next block has a dowel form carved on the top of block to indicate where the hat and head will be carved.  Next block has the hat carved to basic form and the final block has the hat and head form carved indicating that the head goes into the hat rather the the hat sitting on the head.

The Second Photograph is looking down on the four blocks showing a center line drawn to indicate the direction in which the head is turned.  A turned head is always more interesting than a head looking straight ahead.  Drawing a center line on the top of the dowel form is to guide the carving of the top of the hat and then the center line is continued down the front to guide the carving of the head looking in that direction.  The head fitting into the hat is carved so that the sides of the head lines up with the crown of the hat.

The basic form of the hat and head once carved will be a guideline for laying out the proportions of the body with the Rule of Three.  The fourth photograph shows Rusty on the right as having the Rule of Three lines drawn on the profile of the block of wood.  The divisions of the Rule of Three for Body Proportions are: Shoulder to Waist; Waist to Mid Knees; Mid Knees to Bottom of Feet. Second from right is Dusty whose block has guidelines drawn within the Rule of Three divisions.

The next three photographs will show the left profile, back view and then front view.  The fourth photograph will show Rusty carved to basic form while Dusty is still a cartoon drawing.

The next series of photographs will show three views of Rusty and Dusty and the fourth with Rusty and the carving tools used to carve him to form.  These will be followed by four photographs of Dusty carved to form.

The next four photographs will show the hats and heads of Dusty, Rusty and Crusty.

The next series of photographs will be of the facial features of Dusty, Rusty and Crusty, first as carved in detail and then as painted.  Facial proportions follow the Rule of Three divisions: hairline to eyebrow; eyebrow to botton of nose; botton of nose to bottom of chin.

The final series of photographs will be of the full figured views of Dusty, Rusty and Crusty.  Dusty and Rusty are living in South Carolina and Crusty makes his home in Tennessee.  Even though separated by the miles, yet they remain “Three Amigos” in that friendships are never separated by the miles as long as memories keep Amigos amigos.  Carving friendships makes us all “Amigos.”

“ADIOS AMIGOS”