Need advice on carving faces

[squbrigg]

In the never ending quest for improvement, I am asking for help in my attempt to carve a better face.

I just completed this face and I'm not happy with it. It is of a gentleman see in the photo and I would like to do him more justice. The wealth of character in his face prompted me to attempt it, just as a practice to improve my skills in doing human heads/faces.

The wood is Basswood and is carved like a relief carving. Perhaps that is the problem? I used a corner of a 4" block of wood, cut down the center diagonally, like we do with Mark's Santa Clause heads. I have some nice Butternut curing , but I want to practice on Pine or Basswood before I use the precious Butternut.

I would very much value any suggestions and opinions, please.

Thanks,

Bob

[Claude]

Looks like a pretty good likeness to me, Bob. I prefer it with the lighter color (pre-finish), but that may just be me...

Looking closely at the carving's eyes, the carving's right eye needs the iris carved a little bit more to the carving's left - the carving's right eye seems to be looking farther to the right than the other eye.

The photo appears to have a short mustache, which I think you have represented by the small v-cut just above the upper lip. I'd suggest a few vertical v-cuts, very shallow, upward from this line to texture the mustache just enough one can tell that's what it is (sorta like you did the eyebrows). If you have already done this, ignore the comment, as I can't see it in the photo of the carving.

All in all, a darn good carving as is.
Claude

[Paul_Guraedy]

Dad burn Bob, when you said you were going to post this carving and ask for some help...........I assumed you needed it. Pointers maybe. Some critique for some final details. But, the last thing I would call this thread is a need for advice.

Once Claude pointed out the eyes, I could see what he was referring to and agree with him. I think the mustache problem may have solved itself with the finish. It is more obvious in that pic and is really not that obvious in the photo.

Great carving and if this is the prototype, the final will be magnificent! You are definitely ready for the female bust we talked about.

[Josef]

Jeez...better than anything I can do. If I were the photo person, I would be pretty darn happy with that result. Joe.

[Cottonwood]

Carving a likness from a photo is very difficult and you have done very well. I'm looking at the photo and notice the upper eyelid bags seem to have been carved away. When you carve the face again start leaving enough wood in that area soon after the brow line is determined and round the eye at the inside corner and set the eye opening in under the upper bag. The only other suggestion I have is to tuck the lower lid under the upper lid at the outside corner of the eyes and let the upper lid wrinkle extend a little further at the outside corners.
Very good carving! Do the face again and you will do even better. That problem of carving to deeply (upper bag area) in a realistic face makes a guy wish he could put wood back on......I know from experience of doing just what you have done here.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Wish I could help Bob, I think it looks great as is.

Dave

[DavisP]

You have a very good carving and a good likeness.
I liked Claude's comments.
My only addition is your carving has the head and beard an ellipse -shape of top of the head is mirrored by the shape of the beard. I think the beard should slope in more on the sides so that it is narrower.

[K Karver]

Nice first run, Bob. The comments on the eyes are a good start. I think the line above the eye is too strong. His upper eye and upper eye lid are all one and in you carving you have made a distinct line between the upper eye socket/skin and the eye lid. I like the comment about over lapping top lid and bottom at the outside corner. That will strengthen the piece. The line under the checks also looks too strong. There needs to be a smoother line from check center to under the check. You mention using a block, the corner. The wood forces us to make decisions. Two things I notice here. One, the shirt - because the wood space below beard is limited, the temptation is to make the shirt opening narrower than in the picture. Open the shirt wider - will make the face "fit" right. Two, the hair in the picture looks wind blown, unkempt. Blocks of wood don't "blow" around. Trying making the outer hair line more irregular, "wind blown." Great first run. Glad you asked for comments. Eager to see the next one. John

[TreeWizard]

I think the lower part of the face needs to be just a bit thinner. From the picture his face isn't an oval, it's a bit more pear shaped.

[squbrigg]

Thank you folks for the great tips and pointers. I can see each and every one of your comments is on the mark. Just hope I can figure out how to incorporate them all.

I'll post a couple of close ups, and you can see a little clearer. Your comments are all right on the money and exactly what I was looking for. Please feel free to expand on your comments if you see fit once you see the detail better.

Thank you for taking the time to study the carving and help me along.

Bob