Caricature dimensions

[Mitchell]

Caricature dimensions were being discussed in another thread, so I felt that we could discuss it here.

For miniature caricature carvings, I generally break the figure down into thirds - with the head being 1/3, the body 1/3, and the legs 1/3. These dimensions can also be used for larger carvings.

For MY larger carvings, I frequently have the head about 25% of the figure. The body will be about 30% and the legs 45%. These are rough numbers. Many times I will make the legs shorter - as I am short! If I want a figure to look tall, I just make the legs longer without changing the size of the top two measurements.

Does anyone else have any ideas? Or do you even pay attention to the dimensions. I found that I use the two sets of measurements given above automatically - without really thinking about it. I can sketch a figure out in different heights and these measurements will almost always come out the same.

[Anthony Filetti]

Mitch,
I just pay attention to proportions, if the proportions are right the carving can be any size. In caricature however proprtions are not set in stone, in fact they are dictated by the effect one is trying to achieve or draw attention to...

Also, it's good to remember that by definition caricature is nothing more than exagerating or diminishing the features. Case in point would be that not all people have the same size heads. In the case of a project that has a larger than normal head the proportions to the body would be quite large (like the book "carving blockheads"...)...

...my 2 cents!! (good thread Mitchell!)

[tbox61]

This thread came out of my 'New Member' post. I'll try to keep this brief, but have some questions for some more experienced caricature carvers.

I buy wood in 4X4 sticks. I would like to start carving caricatures in the 6-8" tall range. If you have a character that is 'wider' than 4" due to an exagerated arm or leg, do you carve that limb seperately and attach later? I am basically tight and like my wood to go as far as it can. It would seem to me that cutting a blank from a larger piece just to have it 'all in one piece' might be a waste of good wood.

I am getting fairly good at carvings with their hands in their pockets, but want to take it to the next level and start carving hands, etc.

Mitchell, thanks for your proportions, it will be a big help when I am sketching and doing my planning.

Tim

[BobD]

Tim,

A lot of carvers use "add-ons." In the next issue of WCI, we have an article by Joe Hull on carving a caricacture Viking. In that, his sword and shield are add ons...

And a Wilhelm schimmel style tiger that I'm carving has an add on tail, so yeah, go for add ons. The thing to watch the most is that the add ons are attached well and partially anatomically correct!.

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

No Bob...you will not get 10 grand for the tiger! LOLMobster

[BobD]

Right now I'd jut be happy to finish it! For all the time I've put in it, I should get 10K for it!


Bob

[Mike-in-WV]

Mitch, Your proporitions seem about right to me. They will help me a lot when I start carving my caritiure Hill- Billy's. Mike

[Mitchell]

By the way - thanks to tbox for the idea of the topic!

I rarely use "add-ons". Sometimes, I will carve the head separate and attach it later, but I don't do this very often. I have also carved hands separate - most of the time because I messed up and had to cut the one I carved off! I tried to glue additions to a block in a space to later carve arms, but did not like the outcome. This was a long time ago and I have improved my skill level, but don't think I would try this again. My add ons (hands and head) fit into the carving - providing a more natural appearance.

I don't know if any of that answered your question Tim. When carving a caricature, you have a little leaway in proportions. I would use that to my advantage and not use the pattern or design that goes beyond my wood size dimensions.

Maybe someone else has had more experience with gluing blocks together. I remember reading (in Chip Chats, I think) where a carver used glue-ups frequently in her designs. This appeared to be useful in reducing the amount of wood (large sizes of wood) needed. I'll see if I can find it this evening.

[BasketballJones]

Rick had posted something before on Character dimensions that I printed it out, but I'm not having any luck finding it on the search function.

[Kenny_S]

I guess I misunderstood what Caricature were. Granted, they are not like a realistic from but to exagerate the hands(bigger than normal )or feet or even the head. Now I realize, that you wouldn't want a head way out of porportion.

The Mountianeer I carve years ago from the Harold Enlow Book, I made the hands and feet(boots) a little bigger than normal. I may have made a mistake in doing so. Never really thought of the 1/3,1/3, 1/3 proportion of the entire subject. Make sense though.

Good topic Mitchell