How to carve afro hair

[Greyhair]

I am working of a piece and I would like to have realistic male afro hair. I have no clue on how to get the texture. Any techniques would be helpful.

[mpounders]

Don't know if it will be what you are looking for but you might try this: I carve Santas and I texture the little ball on the end of his cap using a small veiner (u shaped gouge). I take small cuts and twist the gouge to remove small chips, similar to a golf ball. I vary the spacing and shapes, then when I have covered the entire area, I use some of the Scotch-Brite bristle sanding disks to knock off the fuzzies and blend it all in. It gives a nice effect that might be close to what you are looking for. Try it on a scrap piece of wood and see if you like it.

[Tom Ellis]

It would probably be about the same effect, but I use a little diamond ball on a dremel to get that hair effect.

Tom

[Donsexton]

I agree you can use a small veiner gouge I would use a short bent gouge. You could use a number 11 scorp. You may choose a small ball on a rotary grinder.

[Dan S]

I've used the small ball 1/16" to get that effect. If you put the dots closely together it looks rather like wool. Looks great on Santa's trim.

Dan

[Greyhair]

Thanks I will try all of these on some practice sticks. Would it help to use the wood burner for shading or not?