[mwilleson]

I'm working hard to transition from copying carvings to developing my own ideas. How about a thread on where you get your ideas for caricatures and how you develop the idea? Here's where I'm at currently....

For starters, I've committed to no longer reproducing a carving I see.

Often times I will see a carving or a picture where I like the theme and then I'll modify the design to fit my needs. For example, I've been thinking about carving some type of toothpick holder for my desk. I saw a carving I liked of a guy standing there drinking coffee who looks like a farmer or mechanic (bib overalls, hat, suspenders, etc).

I'm tinkering with changing it so that he's standing next to a barrel with his foot up on the barrel. The barrel would be the toothpick holder. I would also change is arm position, and possibly his clothes. I do like the fact that he is drinking coffee (yum!) so that part will stay.

Feel free to comment on my approach and let me know how you approach the process?

Mike

[rick-in-seattle]

Mike,
Here is one method similar to working with clay and armatures.

Draw your idea in "Stick-figure" format until you like what you see.
Correct the proportions, use the sticks as bone structure and add the figure around the bones.

You should not need fine detail, they may be added while carving.
All you are trying to accomplish with your design is to create an acceptable cutout.

If you need more than that, I suggest you get some clay.

[squbrigg]

Caricature drawing is an art in itself! Proportions all mixed up, accent the obvious charactistics, great aid in working out a carving. Life provides us with plenty of characters....just sit and watch people at a mall or downtown or at your workplace ....what a hoot! God sure love variety!

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by mwilleson

I'm working hard to transition from copying carvings to developing my own ideas. How about a thread on where you get your ideas for caricatures and how you develop the idea? Here's where I'm at currently....

For starters, I've committed to no longer reproducing a carving I see.

Often times I will see a carving or a picture where I like the theme and then I'll modify the design to fit my needs. For example, I've been thinking about carving some type of toothpick holder for my desk. I saw a carving I liked of a guy standing there drinking coffee who looks like a farmer or mechanic (bib overalls, hat, suspenders, etc).

I'm tinkering with changing it so that he's standing next to a barrel with his foot up on the barrel. The barrel would be the toothpick holder. I would also change is arm position, and possibly his clothes. I do like the fact that he is drinking coffee (yum!) so that part will stay.

Feel free to comment on my approach and let me know how you approach the process?

Mike

Something that might help you sketch your ideas......suppose you want to carve a ball that has all these intricate designs on the face of it....it would drive you crazy trying to figure all this out especially when you are at the bandsaw roughout stage......so in your mind blank out everything but the outer perimeter of the ball, the "profile" and draw that, now this is a very simplified example but you see that the profile in this case is just a round circle! Hope this helps, hard to describe some things , come on over, can show you in two minutes LOL

[Hugh]

Well Dave, I'm at the stage of Caricature carving that I am glad to have a pattern to follow. For me its difficult to believe that there is so much difference between power carving and using a knife and chisel. A friend gave me a Santa pattern today, and to tell the truth. I'm at a loss as to where to begin. But he is going to help me. Very challenging project. Can't wait to start. I've developed a good many bird patterns, a few fish, maybe after carving a few characters, I'll be able to think of designing one of my own.

[Canopener]

Mike,
Great minds think alike. I did "Hobo Ken, the Toothpick Holder" for my nieces wedding present last year. [She lives in Hoboken]. A guy in a beat up Tux and Tophat, standing on a corner picking his teeth, under a lamp and a trashcan to hold the picks.
I don't know if this crossed your mind but, one thing I learned and wish I had not done, was to obscure the face by picking his front teeth. For one thing it was pretty challenging to get the face, arm and hand right, but that was OK, I need the practice any way. And I got the grimace down pretty good; I just always felt the face could have been more pleasing with some other expression and no hand in front of his face.
Above ideas all good, I also like one of those little mannequins and calipers, A mirror never hurt either.
Good Luck.
jim

[Hugh]

Hey Squbrigg, Thought I was the only person to do that. I sit and wait for my wife shopping, and its great to watch people. Easy way to pass time. Once in NS I found a chair in the mall and sat down . A lady came along and tried to give me $10. Thought I was Salvation Army.

[Kenny_S]

Hugh, Did you take the money? By the way, Congrat on your up coming article in that other carving rag. Got mine today. We have a couple celebrities on this board. well, probably more.Rick and Hugh! Well Teri also.

[squbrigg]

Well Hugh, that's our way of shopping now. About as far as I can walk in one go, from the car to a bench and maybe one small store, as long as we're not too long. So the Mrs. drags me in, finds me a central bench and sits me down, then runs off store to store to restore the balance to the National Debt. I always enjoyed watching people, so this new life style , is a perfect fit! Trouble is, I use to get paid to watch people....navy, penitentiary service, and industrial security. This being disabled business don't pay worth a damm! I may have to take your place on that chair to make ends meet!

Bob

[mwilleson]

Originally Posted by Canopener

Mike,
Great minds think alike. I did "Hobo Ken, the Toothpick Holder" for my nieces wedding present last year. [She lives in Hoboken]. A guy in a beat up Tux and Tophat, standing on a corner picking his teeth, under a lamp and a trashcan to hold the picks.
I don't know if this crossed your mind but, one thing I learned and wish I had not done, was to obscure the face by picking his front teeth. For one thing it was pretty challenging to get the face, arm and hand right, but that was OK, I need the practice any way. And I got the grimace down pretty good; I just always felt the face could have been more pleasing with some other expression and no hand in front of his face.
Above ideas all good, I also like one of those little mannequins and calipers, A mirror never hurt either.
Good Luck.
jim

Thanks for the warning Jim. I'll keep one hand on the coffee mug and maybe one hand on the knee.

Mike