Carving a Miniature Figure thats Sitting Down,Little Guy

[thymios]

Hello,


I am new to the forum and would like to start off with a big thank you to all the members for this wealth of information that they provide. I want to get into flat plane carving of the little guys. I'm in the process now of getting some roughouts together(using Gene Messer's Miniature Ol Man pattern).
Along with a standing figure I would like to try a sitting figure. Has anyone done one, and is there a pattern available? Also, I took Gene's pattern and modified it for a sitting figure, not sure if it looks right. Any advice would be appreciated and thank you again for your consideration.

[gene-messer]

That pattern is a great start .. in carving people sitting down .. the arms and hands are the biggest thing to look at .. the head .. legs and feet are pretty much the norm except when the legs are crossed ..

but the arms and hands have a smaller spce to fit in and you must plan out how you want them to set ..

one thing to do .. is look in a mirror and position your hands in different ways while sitting and notice how they hang close to the body and if there on your lap or by your side or arms crossed .. just notice how many ways you can position them .. this wil help you decide how to carve them ..

Gene

[Mark Dellinger]

welcome to the forum.

I constantly adjust patterns to fit what I am doing. I am currently working on a caricature that is sitting at a desk working on a computer. I didn't have a pattern for this so I took one of a golfer I have and used a pair of scissors to cut a diamond shape out of the back of the legs and folded the legs of the pattern down until I came up with the right angle for the legs to be sitting.
you can do the same thing with the arms if you want them bent up or stretched out at different angles. I also draw different hats or other accessories that I want to have. Starting with one of three or four different original patterns of sizes and shapes I just alter what I think needs done. If I use a golfer pattern that has knicker style pants and I want to do a biker, I just extend the lines straight down from the knees. If I want to add chaps to the biker I just draw lines wider than the pant line, convert shoes to boots and so on. This is a good way to come up with multiple patterns without buying multiple books. It becomes quite fun seeing what you can come up with.

I think you are on the right track keep it up.

Safe Carving and God Bless,

Mark

[Claude]

Here's something that may help you:

Picasa Web Albums - OUT WEST BLOG - Paper Manikin...

Claude

[Mitchell]

I don't have a pattern, but have done a few small guys sitting....

There's a couple in the gallery:

Little_guys_2009 - Wood Carving Illustrated Photo Gallery

"Butch" - Wood Carving Illustrated Photo Gallery

Your drawing seems to be OK. Claude posted a link to how to use a manikin and this could be a good resource also.

[thymios]

Gene-thanks, I tried out the mirror idea this weekend and it really helps. Might be a bit ambitious on my part but I’m looking to put together a scene with four folk musicians. Some sitting and some standing, probably going to be in the 3 ½” to 4” range for the figures.


Mark-much appreciated, actually you mentioning the golfer pattern with the knickers gives me a great idea about a possible figure that I would like to do, not to mention the hats as well. Was wondering how I might be able to incorporate different caps on the figures. Funny thing is that I haven’t even started carving yet but am working on all sorts of possible pattern ideas.



Claude-thank you these manikins remind me of shadow puppets that I grew up with in Greece. This is a great idea and they are easy to make.



Mitchell-this is a big help, the chair is similar to what I was looking to try. Also the hands help too. The figures I’m looking to do will be holding instruments so its nice to see different hand placement.