Question for Lynn - proportions

[therandallknight]

Lynn- My figures are about 6" tall , I notice yours are about 12 " what is the ratio between the head and the body. in other words how big are your heads compared to there body's. I want to try to do a bigger figure. Should I start with the head or the body first.. I'm thinking the body.

Randall

[Lynn O. Doughty]

The ratio is what looks best. With caricature the head is usually larger but I wouldn't want to put an actual size comparison to the body on it. I started out with Enlow's figures and have probably stayed within his range ever since. As for which to do first I always do the head to see if it's worth going ahead with the body. Sometimes the head will tell you what to do where the boy usually just stands there wondering what it's doing without a head! Hope that helps.

[Mitchell]

I'm not Lynn, but here's a previous post that's related: proportions.......?

Within it are links to other similar threads. - here's another: Caricature dimensions

[Lynn O. Doughty]

While a guide to dimensions for various styles of carvings serve a purpose especially for the beginning carver, after a while they should be put aside to let the carver develop their own style. Way to many carvers just adopt the sizes of those publishing the books or conducting the seminar when they should be concentrating on developing their own figures and style of carving. Go to any carving show an after a while you begin to glaze over from all the tables exhibiting just about the same thing. I've often said that if you took everyones carvings, stripped off the names and lined them all up on a table only a few would stand out as being easily recognizable as a certain artists work. The others would be just what they are.....clones. This is especially true in the case fo caricature carving. Just my opinion.

[Mitchell]

I agree with Lynn in some aspects. Many newer caricature carvers learn by copying the work of others. BUT - the reason is because they are learning and haven't had the time to develop a style. By copying, they are going through their apprenticeship.

I'm happy to see that Randal asked the question because it demonstrates that he's looking to understand the art a bit more.

Not many actually understand proportions and how modifications can affect the carving. That knowledge is not a requirement to know how to carve caricatures, but it is helpful in allowing newer carvers to learn to develop in designing their own styles.

The "Master" artists of history knew and understood anatomy and proportions very well. Natural or "standard" proportions of humans were modified in most of their work for effect. In other words, they actually made caricatures of individuals. For example, the term "Heroic Proportions" was used to describe this such practice with the overall figure standing 8 to 8 1/2 heads tall. The standard human is 6-7 heads tall.

As Lynn mentions earlier: in caricature carving head is usually larger. If you break it down and actually evaluate these proportions you will find that 4 1/2 - 5 heads is a common starting point and quite popular for many caricature carvers (Enlow for example). It allows the larger head size and an appealing ratio for body to head.

Generally speaking, as the carving gets larger, the proportions get closer to what's natural and as the carving gets smaller, the head size gets larger compared to the ratio.

There are other measurements that could be referenced and guidelines to be followed for a more balanced ratio.