Constructive Critiques Please!

[wildflower]

Hi there! To anyone who has some serious experience under their belt in relief carving. The avatar I have posted next to my name (which is also posted in the gallery) is my first real relief carving and is my own design. I had only looked at some pictures of reliefs and a couple of reliefs carved by friends at the local carving club so I really didn't know what I was doing. I also couldn't wrap my head around the idea of 'carving from the deepest point out to the shallowest at the time so I just went at it.

I love elephants and wanted to depict the power, majesty and intelligence of the African elephant so I decided to try and have him look as though he is coming right out of the frame. I also depicted him in his natural environment in the Serengetti (sp?) pushing it back so he dwarfed his surroundings. I also didn't want to over-do the scenery in order to give a sense of survival of the elephant in such a barren landscape. I wonder if the angle at the horizon line is too steep???

I decided not to paint this piece because I thought colour would be too distracting so I stained it with a very light, natural stain that I felt was fitting with the desert sand and overall barren feeling. The frame is carved right out of the block of pine I was working with. I'll never use pine again in a relief ~ especially one with such small detail, because of it's graininess. The tusks and foreground branches broke a few times so I had to repair them. Perhaps I should have carved them seperately then glued them in?

I entered this piece in my first carving show/competition back in March and was pleased yet also a little surprised that it only got a third in the Novice division. I realize you are unable to see much of the pieces I was competing with yet, perhaps that is irrelevent here just the same. Unfortunately I was unable to get a chance to speak to the two judges to get a critique on this piece. I'd like to know what my strengths and weaknesses are and where I could make improvements on both the technical aspect as well as the design, composition, colour and finish. Your comments would be greatly appreciated.

Chimo,

Leslie

[pallin]

Leslie, I believe the people who commented on your carving in the photo gallery were being honest - it is exceptional for your first relief. The composition and depth is striking. Keeping the background simple was a good choice, to focus attention on the figure of the elephant.
What we cannot see is the fine detail - the appearance of the tool cuts and the perspective from different positions. The judges who put you in third place could compare those details with other entries.
In short, it is very hard for anyone to give you constructive criticism based on the photos in this website.

[doris]

hi leslie...i dont know if i qualify as experienced relief carver, have done only a few bas reliefs, but carve mostly high reliefs,,,that said, i want first say about your comment that

I also couldn't wrap my head around the idea of 'carving from the deepest point out to the shallowest at the time so I just went at it.

that is, because it is not the natural way to do it. i know some promote this carving from the deepest point, but to develop shapes it is much better to work from the front, since you deep depth as you carve, and see more and more relations which help you carve on... if you carve a face, say, you would not start with the ears, but almost all peope start for a good reason with indication the protruding nose...yet, it is said sometimes you shoud start a relief from back, it does not make sense... so, trust your natural instinct, it will help you as it did..

now to your carving,i am really surprised it got not the best ribbon (is blue,is it not ?), as first, you have captured the anatomy of african elefant very well, second, you gave a sense of movement to the piece, very hard to do since elefant is walking towards us, third, the composition is lovely, and leads the viewers eye in a pleasant way, fourth, the texturing, though extensive, is very appropriate to each area and tells it is sand, or skin or leaves, wonderful, and is carefully cleanly done.. what could one wish more of a carving ? ...

one note, but it is not a critique, rather a point of thought for next relief work,,,you seem have undercut the ears (and the trees as well) for example very strongly, i believe you did that to support the illusion the elefant is standing free from ground,but (at least on foto) it creates a wrong shadow namely under his ear, you would not see that in real, and more important, it weakens the area of the ear strongly it might now easily break when not handlesd carefully,,,
a wonderful carving, i can feel the majesty of these beautiful animals, a carving with many very difficult areas to carve (like between his legs and tusks) and very cleanly done. congratulation.

edit : saw i overlooked a question of yours...yes, the horizon, it is a tad bit steep, and give a almost a feeling of the carving squeezed in,,,but, it still is ok, it not disturbes,,,seeing the ribbon, i now wonder how small is this carving ?? did you carve with chisels and gouges or powertools ? just curious, no value one better than other...

[paolo59]

Leslie[/quote]
Sorry, I'm not able to find your work in the gallery; could you please give me the link?

[wildflower]

Hi Paolo59: I have not yet learned how to create a link. If you could explain how to do this I would gladly set it up. My computer skills are not the best but I'm getting there. Thanks

Leslie

[doris]

here is the link to leslies carving

African Elephant - Wood Carving Illustrated Photo Gallery

this is how you can put a link : just copy the addressline from the browser when it shows the gallery image (highlight it, and strg+c on a pc), then in your post just paste it(strg+v on a pc).

[Thor]

I cannot imagine what the 1st and 2nd place carvings looked like in that competition. I enjoyed seeing it very much.
christina

[tnartist05]

Hi,I wouldnt have put the frame around this carving cause it takes away from the carving plus seems to hit or come too close to the Elepants head.

Plus its too bare,needed some taller grass at the Elephant and some in the background. Just kinda too spaced out. The trees look like thoses from africa and the Elephant looks great. I agree its too hard to see alot from the pictures you have shown. One thing for sure,you did a great job for your 1st relief carvings and thats plain to see.

Just my thoughts,Forrest

[pallin]

I differ from Forrest on the matter of carving the frame. It can emphasize the depth if you overlap part of the scene over the frame in places. For example, here is my first relief (done 60 years ago!):

Dachshund - Wood Carving Illustrated Photo Gallery

I could give a lot of criticism of this piece now. . . the horizon is too bleak, the dog's tail looks like an after thought. . .

Phil

[tnartist05]

{ I differ from Forrest on the matter of carving the frame.}

Phil,I didnt say anything about her carving the frame!


Phil,your little dog's head and his feet wasnt coming close to your frame like this the Elepant is. I agree a frame at times adds depth to a carving also and you dont have to be carving 60yrs or better to see that. I like her carving and just stating what I saw in her pict of it.

Forrest