Carving The Risen Christ?

[chipper67]

I just bought Ivan Whillock's book of "Carving The Risen Christ". I want to try and do this. I am just wondering if anyone has carved this? If so, what thickness of wood did you use? Ivan uses 2" thick wood in his book. The pattern is actually for a 14" tall Jesus if I understand it right and just wondered if that is correct. Also, do you know if this figure is carved completely in-the-round or is the back flat so as to mount it to a cross? (If it works out I would like to mount it to a cross. I know I could still mount it if carved all around, but just curious.) Ivan does not show any backviews or sideviews in the book and I'm just not sure what he did with the back of Jesus. If anyone has carved this project, if possible please let me know any details on how you went about it and if you have a picture please post it.

Thanks,

Chipper67

[carvnman40]

chipper67, I have carved that particular figure and will attempt to attach a picture of same. I believe the carving as presented in the book is intended to be displayed flat on the cross with a flat back on the Christ figure. I, however, wanted to do it in the round with the figure standing alone without the cross. My figure stands approx. 14" high and if I remember correctly, I used a thickness of about 2 3/4 or 2 7/8". Since the book gives no view or mention of how to carve the back of the figure, you'll have to use your imagination. Hope this answers your question.

[Merle Rice]

Hi carvinman40, That is one fine piece of carving. Are you going to paint him or leave him as is? Absolutely Great. Merle

[lorax]

I have used Ivan's patterns in the past, and found a simple solution. There is a human proportion calculator (I bought mine from Woodcarvers Supply) that is a wheel, where you set it to the height and it gives you all the other dimensions. It's cheap and invaluable for a figure carver. Ivan also has a facial proportion book to help with those features.

I would advise against leaving the back flat. It can be done, but it makes the carving easier to develop the overall shapes if you can see the 360o view.

[carvnman40]

chipper67, I finally got around to taking pictures of back and side views for you. I guess the front view alone wasn't what you needed. I hope this helps.

To Merle Rice, thanks for your comments. I'm not going to paint him but rather leave him in a natural finish.

Mike

[chipper67]

Mike,

Thankyou for posting those pictures. I was hoping you would. You did a fantastic job. I still plan on doing this project, but I need to order some wood. I just haven't decided for sure if I should use 2" thick and do it like Ivan did in his book or go with about 3" thick like you did. Heck, I might end up doing both ways depending on time. Thanks again and Happy Holidays to you.

John

[revnate]

That is awesome. I might try carving that. I don't know if my skill level is there yet, but it sure looks nice!