Help with ears

[bbeery]

I carve a few caricatures each year but have the hardest time with ears. I've satified myself (not mastered) eyes, noses and lips but ears are a problem. I've tried photographing my wifes ear and tried duplicating that; it seems very complicated. Is their a simpler method? I think I once saw a simple method that Lynn D. used, but can't fine a photo of it now.

[cedarshavings]

Lynn has a blog on his website, I haven't looked but I wouldn't be surprised if he has something on there about this.
I'm new at caricatures but recently took a class and was surprised how simple the ears were. I'll try to explain it on here the best I can without pictures.
Cut away the wood around the ear and leave a block sticking out from the head for whatever size ear you are needing. Cut off the corners but leave the earlobe section alone at first. Once the top and back are rounded off taper it down from back toward the side of the face. Use a gouge and dig out the inside, again tapering from back to front and go deeper at the front. Make this cut from about the two O'clock position down towards the mouth or about the eight O'clock. Cut out behind the ear to seperate if from the head, probably using a gouge here is good but can do it with a knife to. By now you should be able to see how to cut the earlobe to make it blend in with the rest. There is some detailing to do inside. The best I know to tell you here is use a smaller gouge and go around the contour of the ear and it will start shaping up for you to see.

I hope that wasn't too comfusing and maybe helped a little. I'm sorry to hear your wife has complicated ears.

Steve

[chuckbolton]

bberry-- have ur wife photograph your ears-- i bet that they arent any easier-- but you never know

[bbeery]

Thanks Steve, for the detailed description! I'll print your explination and post it in my shop and give it a step by step try.

About your reply chuckbolton, I'm not sure how your reply would be helpful...or maybe that wasn't the intent?