Need help with beard and moustache in a woodspirit

[revnate]

I need help making a wood spirit beard and moustache look realistic. I need steps I guess. Can anyone help me? Just using the V tool does not look very good.

[LJonsson]

Revante,

This tutorial has what you're looking for, good luck with the beard! The beard is part 12 or 13 of the Santa Carving Tutorial.

Loretta
YouTube - 3CrossesWoodcarving's Channel

[GaryMc]

I was going to suggest the same thing Loretta, thank you!
GaryMc

[Mitchell]

Use a gouge to get the flow then go back with the v tool and add deeper cuts. I actually go back with a smaller gouge and then add deep cuts with a knife. At the bottom of the mustache and beard make some deeper cuts and make them jagged looking.

[Irishman]

The trick is to first start with a large gouge and move the tool in a motion that gives a wavy line effect. You may wish to then go to another smaller gouge following some of the gouges already made but not all of them. The thing with a V-tool is that you can over do your cuts. Just to a V-cut here and there following the previous gouge cuts.
Before starting any of the gouge work, make sure you have the mustache and beard formed and not flat to the face. There are different styles as you will see on this site so pick the one that works for you. Good luck.
Patrick

[BeaverDon]

I agree with the above comments. For the first few times, try sketching the "curves" of the beard with a pencil to help you with your basic gouge cuts. Soon you'll get comfortable with the technique and do it free hand.

[revnate]

Thanks everyone. I will check out the tutorial and keep at it.