African American Rough outs

[Primus]

I am an Africam American carver, and I am looking for a source on carving African American figures.

Is there a source for rough outs that have African American in nature?

[Mitchell]

Could you be more specific?

Caricature? Realistic? Etc...

Many rough outs can be modified. Then there's always the option of just making your own patterns. It takes a little more time, but there's more personal reward going that route.

[Claude]

Welcome to the forum!

I agree with Mitchell - what sort of carvings are you going to be doing? If it's caricature, probable any roughout can be used. For example, an African-American Santa Claus would likely use the same roughout as a Caucasian Santa. A cowboy roughout is a cowboy roughout, and it doesn't matter what ethnicity - the details that are carved in determine the ethnicity, age, weight (within a range), and sometimes even the sex of the caricature.

There are lots of places that sell roughouts - one way to find some is to use the Search button on the green bar above this post. Another is to buy a copy of the Woodcarving Illustrated magazine and look at the advertisements - lots of them sell roughouts...

Claude

[mateo]

I recently went to a carving demo at the local college. The man carving was a Nigerian name of Fakeye. The guy is 81 years old and has been carving since he was 9.....wow. He is one of the greatest master carvers of Africa. he has a book (which I don't own) that might be interesting to you. I know you are asking about African American and not African, but it would be worth doing a google search of the man. I dont remember his first name at the moment. As far as roughouts go I would think any human figure roughout could be any race you want to make it. After all, the only differences in races are minor details, broader nose wider lips. I have never bought roughouts but I would not think one would be better than another.....maybe stear clear of the ones wearing a big sombrero or cowboy hat. I hope you'll post whatever you come up with.

[mpounders]

I recently purchased an Ian Norbury book on carving female faces. One of the lessons was carving a gorgeous Afro/Carribean woman's face. It is an excellent book with a lot of pointers for using photgraphs and accurate measurements to create realistic carvings that are applicable to any subject.

[Greyhair]

Ronnie Reed has at least two rough outs that are african americans. One is called Toby and the other is Obama.

[Donsexton]

Originally Posted by mateo

I recently went to a carving demo at the local college. The man carving was a Nigerian name of Fakeye. The guy is 81 years old and has been carving since he was 9.....wow. He is one of the greatest master carvers of Africa. he has a book (which I don't own) that might be interesting to you. I know you are asking about African American and not African, but it would be worth doing a google search of the man. I dont remember his first name at the moment. As far as roughouts go I would think any human figure roughout could be any race you want to make it. After all, the only differences in races are minor details, broader nose wider lips. I have never bought roughouts but I would not think one would be better than another.....maybe stear clear of the ones wearing a big sombrero or cowboy hat. I hope you'll post whatever you come up with.

That is very cool Mateo, I have always liked African style carvings.

[Paul_Guraedy]

You might do a search on Tanzanian Art* Exchange (remember the search engine does not accept less than 4 letters so put the asterik behind art). This was a group of woodcarving ladies from Tanzania. It is interesting to see the difference in woodcarving between east and west Africa.

[AlArchie]

I don't think he makes roughouts, but check Lynn O Doghty's blog. He has done a few African American caricature soldiers and cowboys. Maybe you can pick up a few tips from him

OutWestWoodCarving

Scroll down on this site to his "Buffalo Soldier". If that's the style you are looking for, he's an interesting starting point.

Al

[Lynn O. Doughty]

OutWestWoodCarving: Buffalo Soldier
OutWestWoodCarving: Smoke Break
OutWestWoodCarving: Joshua Hits The Trail!

Yes....I've carved a few African Americans. As you didn't specify just what type of carving you're interested in here are a few links to how I interpret them in a historical caricature form. If you go to the links above and then into the Picasa Gallery link on the right side of the Blog you will be able to see many more photos and views of them.

I don't sell roughouts but there is plenty of instructions on the Blog to show you how to cut your own blanks.