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Home | Features/3-D Models | Carving a Caricature Colt

Carving a Caricature Colt

02/04/2010 11:58:00 Floyd-Rhadigan

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Modify the basic pattern to add action or give your colt a differnet pose.

Simple stylized horse is easy to carve

This adorable little colt only requires a few tools to complete. Novice carvers can expect excellent results in a relatively short period of time and more experienced carvers can finish the project in a single day.

See Fall 2008 Issue 48 of Woodcarving Illustrated for this project's pattern and full step-by-step instructions.

Click here to see a 3-D interactive model of the Caricature Colt.

Image gallery

Carve away the extra wood on the legs with a carving knife.

Begin rounding the belly between the legs with a carving knife.

Thin and taper the legs with a carving knife.

Begin carving the hip joints with a carving knife.

Rough out the diamond-shaped tail with a carving knife.

Taper the outside of jaw slightly with a knife and mark the location of the forehead and ears.

Taper the inside of the jaw slightly with a knife and redraw the head.

Separate the head from the neck. I use a small deep gouge.

Rough shape the back of the head and the mane with a carving knife.

Emphasize the intersection of the mane and head and neck by carving a groove at the intersection point with a small deep gouge.

Round the underside of the belly with a carving knife.

Separate the ears from the mane by carving a notch with a carving knife.

Remove a triangular-shaped chip from inside the ears with a carving knife.

Remove a half-moon chip for the nostrils using a carving knife.

Add texture to the mane by carving a series of notches and grooves with a carving knife.

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Comments (39 posted):

Donna_T on 08/09/2009 17:32:56

The article is well done with good step-by-step instruction. It's a cute little colt and certainly a "doable" project. I've carved a couple of realistic little ponies before, and this is the first time I've wanted to try another!!! Donna T

RUssL. on 08/10/2009 12:37:38

I've been carving the highly stylized "Dala"-type horse so while I am in the equine mode I thought that I might give this little pony a whack. Frankly, at first blush I found the project a bit beyond being a "...simple stylized horse..." and "...easy to carve...", but I have had second thoughts about it and am going to put a block of basswood on the band saw tonight and see how far I can take it before I implode. Wish me luck. Russ L.

BobD on 08/10/2009 15:45:18

Did you guys see the 3-D Viewer of the colt at the link I provided above? Does that viewer help, Russ? Bob

RUssL. on 08/10/2009 20:57:52

Hey Bob! No, I hadn't seen either the bonus gallery or the 3-D. I'm sure that they both will help. I'll keep you posted. I did manage to get the blank cut on the band saw tonight, but that was as far as I could get before family stuff called me away... I'll take some time (at work! ) tomorrow to look over the images online and at the 3-D thingy. Thanks for the assist. All the best, Russ Lavigne Saint Albans, Vermont

Iowa Carver on 08/10/2009 21:02:01

Bob, that is really very cool, I haven't gotten mine yet but I think this is going to be the best issue since I joined up. Corey

Thomp on 08/11/2009 08:54:51

Bob, I Got to wait on postman bringing in a load of basswood maybe today im out, i think Monday aint heavy package day i guess i got my issue saturday the wife helt it hostage till the fox was found, but the horse cough my eye, and is on the top of my list, written well enough i think even i can follow it. and the 3d viewer is Great, like holding a study in your hands, 'cept the bottom 'underneath shot' is a little dark maybe my settings, yet the 3d viewer is best thing going for seeing the different views. thanks bob.

Terry Vance on 08/11/2009 10:42:23

Hey Bob, I really liked the three "D" viewer. It is great. Are there plans to include that viewer in future projects.

BobD on 08/11/2009 10:46:35

Hi Gang, We're still working on making the bottom view less dark; it's complicated because carvings depend on light and shadows to 'read' correctly, and it's difficult to get one lighting setup that will work for ALL angles. We have to photograph the carving from a number of angles to get this system to work. This is the second one we've done this way. The first was Mitch's Caricature Chess Set King, Woodcarving Illustrated - Hillbilly King We'd definitely like to do more, but it's a bit time consuming to photograph... Bob

mikeg on 08/11/2009 11:22:07

That is a slick 3d displayer. I'm glad people commented on it because I hadn't clicked on the link before that. mikeg

Hi_Ho_Sliver on 08/11/2009 20:19:09

The 3D viewer is something else1 amazing technology!!

chuckbolton on 08/12/2009 09:30:21

im doing something wrong ( i guess) i cannot seem to get the action to rotate the figure-- i have downloaded the latest version of java ( i just did it) if this does what i think it does-- it would be fantastic-- would be a great thing to have on each carving in the magazine.

BobD on 08/12/2009 09:32:09

Chuck, to rotate the carving you click and hold on a section and move your mouse the direction you'd like to rotate. Bob

chuckbolton on 08/12/2009 09:37:12

thanks so much bob-- its really good- id much rather see this-- than have holes punched in the magazine-- the possiblities here are endless--

BobD on 08/12/2009 09:43:25

Unfortunately, Chuck, it's a bit labor intensive; we have to photograph the carving from something like 50 different angles. Our goal is to do at least one project per issue. Bob

Simplyme on 08/12/2009 10:46:12

Bob, I think you painted yourself into a corner. The 3D image is receiving alot of comments and its going to spoil us. As always you guys go above and beyond. If every company would try and please there clients like you folks the world would be a better place. Just my 2 Cents...........

Eviejean on 08/14/2009 15:07:37

I couldn't help but want to carve that extremely adorable colt on the front cover of the new issue. What a sweetie, especially with the flirty way his head is turned and his little brush tail stuck up in th air. I, too, am glad it was mentioned about the 3-D view. I missed the link on my first scan down the posts. The 3-D shot is amazing, like holding the piece in your hand - I really think it's going to help. Thanks, can't wait to get started!

Donna_T on 08/15/2009 22:53:27

Bob, I LOVE THE 3D FEATURE!!! It's totally awesome. I've often seen pictures of a carving that I want to try, but some obscure part isn't shown and I wonder what's there. This is unbelievable. Donna T

Shannon on 08/18/2009 12:55:38

We did the Cipa Santa from a few years ago in 3D also... Shawn Cipa - Santa

Terry Vance on 08/18/2009 15:00:21

How about putting a link to the 3D section in the carving community and then an individual link to the different projects available once you get there?

BobD on 08/18/2009 15:01:33

Good idea, Terry. We're in the midst of an upgrade to the WCI and SSWC websites, and I'll make sure there is a link to all of the 3-D models. Bob

fpace on 09/02/2009 14:02:23

I am currently carving this little colt and I am enjoying it... I do have a question or two though. I understand the constraints of magazine space and the need to minimize instructions and detail as much as possible but is there any way I can get some more detail on how the head and face is shaped and carved? There is suprising little detail about that. We see the head blocked out and then suddenly the next picture shows it almost completed with no details on the details! The extra images here are great! But, they do not follow the step by step in the article... and that's ok I guess as a supplement but still no detail on the face. The 3-D is wonderful... I have referred to it many times! Thanks guys for any additional info! Carve on...

Thomp on 09/02/2009 14:52:43

bob d , i commend you on all the work done on this carving lesson, the 3d is great along with the extra steps in the tutorial posted have really got me intrested in carving this project, but im currently stuck on the flying witches in the same issue.. ive got 3 jealous sisters and as a joke i carved one and sent it to my baby sister, well you know the rest of this story....

fpace on 09/02/2009 15:05:06

Thomp... you are pure evil sir...! :>)

BobD on 09/04/2009 13:49:17

Hey Fred, I've got a few more photos of the process. As soon as I can get them converted, I'll post them (not sure if it will be today or Monday). Bob

BobD on 09/04/2009 14:33:11

Here you go, Fred. Hope these help.

BobD on 09/04/2009 14:35:20

And a few more.

JimSawyer on 09/04/2009 17:36:19

This is great!!! Thanks Fox Chapel. I love the 3D. It's Matrix meets carving, lol.

xsailer on 09/04/2009 18:56:43

Darn! I downloaded Jave as suggested and it still says I have to download Java. What am I doing wrong? Would appreciate help. I have pop blocker turn off if that's a suggestion.

fpace on 09/04/2009 22:25:35

Thanks so much Bob... those are a big help! Much appreciated!

teeburn on 09/04/2009 23:05:49

I would like to know where he got his carving glove at?

Iowa Carver on 09/04/2009 23:23:16

There was a post in the last week about gloves and a link to that Tina. I can't find it now. Look for a post on carving gloves. Corey

teeburn on 09/05/2009 02:46:25

Thanks, Corey.

Thomp on 09/05/2009 07:54:13

Darn! I downloaded Jave as suggested and it still says I have to download Java. What am I doing wrong? Would appreciate help. I have pop blocker turn off if that's a suggestion.\ bob this whole java thing is a crazy thing to understand, apparently ive got sun java installed, it updates at the most inopportune times then my watchdog barks and stops it bout the time it gets finished installing, my guess is go to get the update, then turn off your antivirus, install update java and reboot your computer so the anti-virus program kicks back in..

Hi_Ho_Sliver on 09/05/2009 10:40:45

The carving glove looks like the ones I have gotten from Rick at little shavers, but have added some leather fingers off other gloves...at least thats what it looks like to me ;)

Hi_Ho_Sliver on 09/06/2009 09:48:53

JimSawyer on 09/06/2009 17:01:29

You know what may be interesting in the mag? I know it would be to me, a small article and a couple of pictures each issue on different types of "whimseys" ?? I haven't done many, but they are fun and great conversation pieces...imho I second that, 'notion'. While I have a side of me that would like to carve professionaly, I do it more for enjoyment than anything else. Little whimseys would be great..... I think readers would goble them up. I know I would....!

tomrsey on 09/22/2009 15:10:41

Bob, I'm a new subscriber to WCI and new to woodcarving. My hat's off to the folks at Fox Chapel for the great job they are doing. LOVE the 3-D viewer. That is very helpful. Also, I wish to agree with what someone posted earlier. I have been on several forums for different hobbies and this is - by far- the most polite, considerate, helpful and fun to be with group of people I have ever come across. Thanks for creating and maintaining this board.

RUssL. on 09/22/2009 21:20:51

Bob D., Thanks for posting the additional pictures. I had gotten sort of stuck there myself. Russ

gwaldy on 01/02/2011 17:47:04

I have really enjoyed this colt! The instructions are great and the 3D model answers any other questions. Because I was limited by the wood dimensions, I shrunk the colt and turned the head forward. Thanks!

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