Faces

[James A]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how a beginner should learn to carve faces? I have been carving for two months and haven't had any success.Head BangeAny advice will help.

</IMG>

[Bartster]

james,


i would suggest any if not all 3 of pete leclairs books, also marv kaissersatts book will help also, that is if you want to carve caricature faces.

bart

[JIM QUILICI]

James,
bart is 137% right. where I live no one comes out to teach us how carve, central california ( you know we are a bunch of hay seeds ) I bought petes books and he got me started after you learn the basics, you can change to your own style.
Jim

[Clifford_Parker]

Depending on the type of faces you intend to learn you could search for threads on woodspirits. There are a number of links to tutorials that have been posted/reposted on that subject.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Here is one of the best places I know...Lynn Doughty's site...go back to May 2006 and start looking at his tutorials from there...pick one you want to tackle...http://www.outwestwoodcarving.blogspot.com/

[Irishman]

I'd also suggest going to Mark Gargac's website - either purchase the CD or enrole in one of his tutorials. A number of members on this site have accessed his instructional information and they are great for carving faces.
Patrick

[slivers&dust]

I agree with Patrick, Check out Marks tutorials or Jeff Phares books. Lynn D does great faces too, check out his sites.

[Mottles]

Idea Hi James, to add to what the other's suggestions which are excellent. How about doing some drawing study, an excellent softcover book is 'Drawing The Head & Figure' by Jack Hamm ($10-12). Check with your local book store or online at www.amazon.com I understand Norbury has an excellent book on carving the human face also. Learning the planes of the head and how to position the features will help you a lot. Another, way carvers workout their carving problems is using plastaline clay (never drys out and can be reused). Most craft stores carry this type of clay.
A big help to you also would be to upload some images of the carving you are working on. This gives us a look at your carving so we can better help you.
Don't give up, keep trying and come here for encouragement and help!
Kathy
</IMG>

[Scott Hagerty]

James
The above suggestions are all great. Lots of good information. Study the proportions of the face, google art and drawing sites for info. You don't have to be an "artist" to carve great stuff. I couldn't draw a stick man and still can't but I can make a carving look right. (at least to me)

[Donald K. Mertz]

James A, all of the suggestions are well worth considering,so choose any or all of them, but nothing will take the place of any carver learning a new project than to jump in with a piece of wood and a knife and try to carve what you think a head looks like, then look at yourself in the mirrow, study your own face, notice what parts stick out, what parts are sunk in and the shape and form. Practice, practice and practice and every carving is a learning experience, never a mistake, only another step in learning. Practice making all kinds of cuts with the knife, whittle on a piece of wood, make a square stick round, a round stick square, carve a ball on the end of a square stick, get used to how the cutting edge removes wood. It is like learning to walk, you take baby steps first, fall down, but get up and try again. Do not give up, keep on trying just like the rest of us, we continue to try to carve better and none of us have reached the perfect stage yet. My philosophy is "Would be carvers would be carvers if they would carve wood," so the only way you are going to learn outside of reading books, taking classes, reading the tutorial posts on this site, is to carve and then carve some more, so good luck , wear a protective glove and don't cut yourself.