[Anthony Filetti]

I am currently working on a new carving from my own design, and have put together techinques I've learned from the board and from other resources to come up with my version...
I wanted to use a mannequin (like one that was introduced by Lynn) but I wanted the parts of the mannequin to be exchangeable as different characteristics change from figure to figure. The character I am currently working on is a feeble character as will have a kidney shaped torso (as shown in the 1st pic) to convey that feeling.
I chose to use 5mil Vellum (about $5 at an art store) which is durable and can be purchased as semi-transparent sheet (pic #2). I also went to Wally World and picked up some snaps ($2) that will allow me to interchange a mannequins parts (pic #3)...

[Anthony Filetti]

...next i drew out a pattern on paper using french curves to create each body part I wanted to make for my mannequin (pic #4)...I next laid the vellum over this sketch and traced each body part onto the vellum (pic #5)...
and cut the parts out (pic #6)...
...from there to assembly with snaps (pic #7)...as Thomp pointed out in a previous post the snaps do not allow the mannequin to lie completely flat. so if desired you can substitute with grommets (permanent) or even paper fasteners, its really a personal choice. Since I want to interchange the parts I'm sticking with snaps as the best solution...

[Anthony Filetti]

...now that the mannequin has been created its time to put it to use...

...I next create a profile drawing and from that generate a front view using the side-by-side method (pic #8)...from there I transfer the drawings to the block using carbon paper (pic #9)...and proceed to cutout the blank marking the waste area with X's (pic #10)...

One thing about my mannequin method you probably noticed was the lack of a head. Since most of the heads I do are of the cylinder type (as taught in Marv's book) I find it easier to just freehand it onto the sketch...also missing are hands and since hand position varies I draw them freehand as well and use what reference material I have such as the picture mentioned below...

...the last picture is a reference picture I took of my hand that I will use when carving the figures right hand. As someone said here we are our own best models...in this case the figure will be holding a spear in his right hand and i wanted to make sure that it was blocked right....

[Anthony Filetti]

...lastly here are some progress pictures of the figure as it is being carved. I'll post more as time goes on...

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Nice Job! My only observation would be to put another joint at the waist to allow the figure to straighten up. Snaps are a neat idea!

[Mitchell]

That is a great idea Tony. Nice variation of Lynn's original idea - especially using the drawing as reference. Your posts show your thought process in making the mannequin from start to finish.

Thanks and look forward to seeing him finished.

[wood-whittler]

tony,

good idea it takes alot of time to do this but it is well worth the effort when it is all said and done.

bart

[gene messer]

Neat idea in going about it Tony .. Thanks for sharing .. be sure and let us see the finished product ..

[snickerbocker]

Hey Tony,
I like it.
Vicki

[Mark N. Akers]

Tony :
Great idea it looks like you have a bunch of positions here,also the blank looks like your making real progress.