Help! Santa needs a face lift!

[Banjo]

So many of the carvings I see here on the forum have faces with so much life and character! I feel like my Santa faces are on the boring side. Could I please get you all to take a look at this little guy's face and tell me what I could do to give it some pizzaz? I've tried painting in eyes and they always turn out with that "deer in the head light look." Any suggestions and critiques will be appreciated! Thanks, Joy

[Colin-Partridge]

Bango,
Dont sell yoursef short, your santa is just fine I dont find it boring at all. He is your style and that what makes him unique. Sure he could have eyes it would change him but maybe not for the better. Maybe you are scared of carving eyes and I only say that because I was like that when I started carving. No I like him just the way he is I would like to see a picture of the entire carving looks like a beautiful paint job.
Great job
Colin

[Banjo]

Thanks, Colin. I appreciate that so much. You hit the nail on the head about carving eyes.......I'm scared to! Maybe one of these days, I'll get up the nerve to try it. Thanks again.

[Thomp]

i don't see a thing wrong with your santa, in the old world style santa its right up there with the best..

maybe if you just carve some study sticks like tom h did in the tutorial forum, it sure helped me get the face on the basswood apple, santa..
i sure still thank them both for there efforts teaching this old dog a new trick,,

,,
study sticks don't have to be in steps they can be of many different faces or critters,,

tom h and jim oh both are great teachers on them fat faced santas,,

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

look in the mirror.....if you look to the left and right of each eye, you will see a curved area...the cheekbones and forehead actually stick out a tad farther than the area right next to the eye......if you want to change the eyes, you will have to take a gouge to the area where the eye is and recess that whole eye area.....there are several tutorials on here about eyes, Mark Gargac, Susan Irish....several..

[Jim OH]

Hi Banjo,
That santa doesn't need a face lift because it is an old world type Santa and that is the style you carved it in. You did an excellent job with the Santa both carving and painting! If you want to try a caricature Santa in a little different style take a look at Thomp's post under Caricature titled "Carvers Helping Carvers" It will show most of the steps to carving an eye. You may get an idea on how the eye is developed.
Jim OH

[Banjo]

Jim, I just took a look at Thomp's post on the basswood apple Santa. It's a great tutorial and man, he did an excellent job on that apple! Thanks for directing me to it. Don't know how I missed it the first time.

Thomp, I guess you taught that apple a thing or two! It's now a terrific looking Santa!

[Kenny_S]

I agree with what has been said here. Nice Old World Santa. Nothing wrong with this one. Love it and it is nicely carved and expertly painted.
Now, as for eyes. I suggest, reading tutorials from this board and practice on a 2 x 2 x 6 inch piece of basswood. If you mess up, move down a notch and practice another eye. Carve eyes in the whole thing. get another 2 x 2 x 6inch piece and pratice some more. Key is pactice practice practice.
I am still practicing eyes and noses but do carve them in my Santas and caracatures.
Keep on what you are doing. As you can see by reading the commits here, You are doing great.

[Mottles]

Well gee Joy, I don't see anything boring about your santa, he has his own look. Maybe rosey up his cheeks a bit more? I think he's cute!
Kathy

[MelNM]

Joy this is your style and a lot of people like it. Personally I wouldn't change too much on him. Too me he looks great the way he is. You can experiment on other carvings to get what your looking for. If you don't want his face too round try narrowing his forehead, kind of light bulb shaped, does that make sense.
Mel