Good beginner's book for caricature carving

[KeithC]

What would be considered a good beginner's book for caricature carving? Also, can anyone recommend a carving club near Chandler Arizona?
Keith

[stickman]

Keith, I have Caricature Carving from head to toe by Dave stetson .
the pictures are good and its shows step by step instructions under each picture.I have found it very helpful .

[Donna_T]

Keith,
I don't find anything about a club in Chandler, but see the following. I'd contact one of them to see if they know of a nearby club:
Rincon Carvers
Rincon Country West RV Resort
4555 S Mission Rd
Tucson AZ 85746
Al Jensen 520/889-7751 Active Oct-April.
now over 65 members (3/97)
Email: Al Jensen

Larry Smith
Southwest Woodcarvers Assoc. Inc.
P.O. Box 13133
Tucson, AZ 85712
Phone: 602.885.3867

John Peterson
Grand Canyon State Woodcarvers
P.O. Box 9112
Scottsdale, AZ 85252-9112
Phone: 602.471.7231

ALSO, Harold Enlow is one of the all-time greats for caricature carving. He's got several books. However, if you want to contact Dave Stetson direct, he's a fellow Arizonian, living in Scottsdale. His phone is 480-367-9630 or Lcnmichele@aol.com.

Just to the left of this board, under "Carving Community" is a list of several clubs. There might be some other contact listed there.

Good luck.
Donna T

[bygeorge]

Keith, I have to agree with Michael, Dave Stetson's "Caricature Carving from Head to Toe" was my first book and really got me started. I would also recommend "Creating Caricature Heads by Marv Kaisersatt". This book is packed with really good step by step instructions. There are many more excellent books out there but these two helped me in getting started.

Chuck

[Bartster]

keith,

all of the books mentioned above are all great books,also check into any of the pete leclair books these are all great books with great instruction for the beginner all the way to advanced.

bart

[Mark N. Akers]

I agree with woodwhittler,Pete LeClair teaches you from a block,that is a vital learning technique.

[EdO]

I'd go for two. Any of the above plus "Creating Caricature Heads in wood and on paper" by Marv Kaisersatt being a must have. You'll find many things in Kaisersatt's book that are left out of the others, such as design techniques, design aides and special techniques. Unfortunately, it only covers the head and shoulders, but does it very thouroughly in great detail, with many illustrations (with some humor thrown in). By far the best written book of the hundred or so that I have.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

I'll stick to the one that got me interested....Enlow's "Carving Characters in the Ozark Style". That's the original....all the others came from that one. I have Kaisersatt's book and it's just too much to try and comprehend, especially for someone just entering the craft. In the beginning it's best to give the carver something he/she can actually complete with a high degree of sucess and satisfaction. Enlow's book has a couple of figures in there that allow that.

[MelNM]

Keith
For what its worth Tom Wolfes books are pretty good also. He has a ton of subjects to chose from. Lots of step by step pictures.

If you want to do Relief you won't go wrong with any of Susan Irish's books either.
Mel

[Canopener]

Lots of good advice above. I think Lynn nailed it, though. Harold Enlow has started alot of people caricature carving. I have been using his book for years and when the time was right I got Marv Kaisersatt's book. It really helped me. Lots of people like Pete LeClairs style also.
In fact; right now, I am carving Rufus and Saydie [one of Enlows beginning projects] only with lots more detail and using Marv's system for carving faces. Lookin' good.
Good Luck,
Jim