Where does everyone start?

[Rich2008]

I have a question. When starting a carving of a, lets say a Caricature figure, do most carvers start on the head, which usually has most of the detail, or the feet, arms, etc.? I have seen this on blogs of some carvers out there that they carve the head first, and if that does not come out right, at least the whole carving is not wasted. I was just wondering what procedures are taken with everyone.

Thanks;
Rich

[Donsexton]

That’s a good question Rich, I am thinking about how I do it. I don’t carve one area more than another my carvings progress at or around the same rate. I do large to medium size in the round stuff mostly. I have my roughing tools then I put them away and break out my intermediate tools put them away then if I am not bored I break out the finish tools. I will tell you this it is a good idea to set the eyes. What I mean by set them is carve shallow roughly the size of the eye socket. Then where you think they will go draw the eye ball and pupils with a pencil.

[Mr. Chips]

I agree with Don. I make several pass's from top to bottom. Getting a little closer to the finished carving each pass. Save all the details for last, that's the fun part. Watching the carving come to life.
Randy

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Thinking back on just about any carving I've ever done I think I always seem to start at the beginning! Sometimes the beginning is the head and then sometimes it's the body. I'm presently working on a figure of Monte Walsh which you can follow on my Blog. He started with the body being laid out first. In doing that I started with the bottom of the boots and then worked my way up. Why the boots? Because the figure stands on those, they are the foundation of the entire figure. Once I got a good idea of where the body was headed I carved the head. But again, at other times I do just the opposite starting with the head. I do carve my heads separate but not because I'm afraid of messing one up. Being able to manipulate the head into different positions allows the figure to take on a completely different look just with a simple twist. I also try to stay away from rigid pattens at they restrict the development of a figure. If your idea of a particular figure is strong enough and you have the skill or talent to release it from that blank piece of wood it's truly amazing what can happen sometimes.

[gtech]

Yeah, it depends. Sometimes I begin with the head, but most of the time I work on the body first to have a feeling of where and how the head should be.

Gilles

[pallin]

Expanding this discussion to other forms of carving: Whittlers of balls-in-cage or chains start by cutting through the open spaces (holes), then gradually shaping the ball or links until they come free. Relief carvers often start by establishing the areas of deepest relief. Chip carvers start by precisely laying out the pattern on the wood, then doing the two plunge cuts followed by the slice on the first chip, then the next, and the next. . .

[TreeWizard]

I just round out the piece, then draw in those parts that will stick out the farthest and carve around them, then what will stick out nest farthest ETC. When all this is done, I'll go back and start to add detail.

[mobjack68]

I generally start at the beginning....


sorry...been having snowsilly flashbacks...

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by Rich2008

I have a question. When starting a carving of a, lets say a Caricature figure, do most carvers start on the head, which usually has most of the detail, or the feet, arms, etc.? I have seen this on blogs of some carvers out there that they carve the head first, and if that does not come out right, at least the whole carving is not wasted. I was just wondering what procedures are taken with everyone.

Thanks;
Rich

I do the bodies first, and the heads are separate from the body.....they are glued on and if, by chance, the head does not turn out to my liking, I DO NOT throw it away. I've got a bucket of heads. I can usually find a one that's just right for the carving.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Body first then the head / face. I really don't think it matters much, just have fun.

Dave