How do i judge wood thicness needed???

[whittlinwill]

Hey gang!

I'm finally venturing away from other people's patterns, & into "doing my own thing". But i have a problem. If all you have is a profile view pattern, how do you know how thick the wood needs to be, especially for an in the round project?? I have NO art background, etc., so have nothing that way to guide me. Any help will be VERY much appreciated. Thank you.

[carver33]

That's almost impossible to answer. If you're talking about a human figure, standing at attention, then it's roughly 2 times a wide as deep. However, any animation will change this depending on what you want to do - one leg bent? - arm out? - etc.

The best things to do are:

1. Search on human proportions - there's lots of information and illustrations free for the taking.

2. Search on your intended subject on Google Images. You should find many pictures of your subject from various angles and in varying poses. The one caveat to this is that it can be very difficult to find pictures of the rear view.

[whittlinwill]

Thanks carver33. Yes, i realized after posting, that MANY variables would come into play. But your suggestion of finding a proportion drawing of something similar to the project i have in mind is a good one, & i thank you. Your help is very much appreciated. Happy whittlin'.

[Claude]

Will:
Easiest way is to hold your own body in the position of the carving, then have someone take photos of you from all sides. Note: doesn't work well if carving animals...

Claude

[carver33]

Another option for humans is to check your local art or craft shops for a pose-able wooden human artists figure. Hobby Lobby caries on about 12" tall for less than $10 (better yet if you catch a 40% off coupon).

Another option is to pick up a cheap mirror (the kind that you can hang on a bathroom door) and look at yourself posing.

[Robson Valley]

If you want to carve animals, go to Hunting, Fishing, Survival, Guns, Gear | Field & Stream.
Search for any game animal that you can imagine.
The photographs are the best-of-the-best.

eg I wanted to see what the underside of the surface of the water looks like. Linked very quickly to a photographer's gallery who does nothing but pictures like that, complete with big fish!

[Whittled Thumb]

The best way to draw a human figure is start with sticks. Draw a stick figure first. The way and pose you want it to be in, then draw an outline around the stick figure as if you are molding clay around a wire sculpture form. Everything in art and drawing starts with a skeleton. But yes it helps a great deal if you have some artistic ability when ya carve. I rarely use anyone elses patterns, draw my own.

[whittlinwill]

Wow! Thanks all. I have a good proportion drawing, front, back & sides of a human, but am looking to do more critters, but not by copying someone elses carvings via their patterns in carving books. Thanks Robson Valley for that link.I'll check it out in the morning. & thanks Whittled Thumb for the great tip. Maybe i should get some clay & make a rough version of it in clay first, then use that as a "go by" as Tom Wolfe puts it, for dimensions, etc. & i have seen the "armature" figures you mention carver33, & probably will get one one day, but i mainly want to center on non human whittlings at this time. & thanks for the tip Claude. I have no one to take photos of me, but have become VERY good at doing it myself over the many years. A great idea i will remember. Thanks again all! Happy Whittlin'

[Paul_Guraedy]

I believe that clay is the answer with animals. It becomes fun in and of itself. Carve off too much, no problem put some back. Want to change the pose of a head or leg, no problem, cut it off and reposition. At first I wanted to make the clay figure the size of what I intended to carve. Eighteen inch wood eagle : eighteen inch clay eagle. Took me a couple of attempts to realize that I don't need that level of exactness. I can make a 6" clay figure and easily transpose that to my carving.

The other thing I recommend is lot's of photos. I am doing a bear cub now. Done lots of bears. But the photos I used before are back on the cork board above my work bench. A good place for photos of animals is to do 3 internet searches. One on the animal's name and click on images. The 2nd is to combine the animal name with veternary. The 3rd is to combine the animals name with taxidermy. You will be amazed at the detail you can get.

[whittlinwill]

Thanks Paul. I really appreciate that. I'm thinking of doing a squirrel {love squirrels!}, & I figured i could make a clay one,not necessarily the same size, & take photos that could be enlarged to make proper size patterns from. I've also decided i need to learn to draw. I know i have the ability in me, but need to bring it out so i can make my own patterns easier, & more to my liking. & yes, i can see where reference photos help, even just for body shape ideas, etc. Thanks again, & happy whittlin'