This is more an example than anything else.

Yesterday I decided to carve a Santa; I sketched the side profile of the head, beard, and shoulders. I then fit that onto a picture of a walking man using my computer.
I then guesstimaited the front profile and cut it out on the bandsaw.

I roughed it out, and am now to the point of final carving and fine detail. The problem is I never considered the final look of the carving, my concern was with the correct profiles.

So, I have a very plain Santa which will probably look alright to most people, but I am dissatisfied that I didn't spend more time considering the finished appearance.

That is my point ' What you see ( imagine ) is what you get'

Now, if I could get Teri to paint it for me....... :

Rick, most of the time I haven't a CLUE as to how a piece will finally end up - as you saw when I was there, I (most of the time) only cut out the head/shoulders positioning from the front view before I just start carving. I've learned that if I cut out both the front and side profiles I have in my mind at the time, that by the time I get to detailing, I've probably cut away something I really should have kept for details.

LOL...just hang onto that piece til I get back there in September...and we'll paint it together!

Teri

OK

Rick ...what caricature carving books do you carry that you recommend...I don't want to buy a bunch , would like to have one or two of the 'bibles' if you know what I mean!

I recommend any of Harold Enlow's books. They provide a lot of information at an extremely low price. You can sometimes get used copies at Half.com, Ebay.com, or Half Price Books at excellent prices.

Half price books? Do they make money in small enough denominations to buy an Enlow book at half price? They average about $6 apiece new. Best deal going methinks. My problem in like Rick said - READ THE BOOK.