Questions for Ian Norbury

[BobD]

Please post any specific questions for Ian Norbury here!

[Shimmy]

Hi Ian, I do mostly caricature carvings.Also mostly men .I am a little hesitate when it comes to the female face.Is it the nose and hair mostly that gives it the female look?Could you give me a hint as to how to start a face on a caricature figure. Thank You. Shimmy

[rick-in-seattle]

Ian, welcome.

My question is:

What do you think defines the separation of woodcarver and sculpter?

Other than the price of their individual works.

[Callynne]

Hi Ian, we're glad to have you with us! My question has to do with carving children, not only their faces but their bodies. I'm pretty satisfied with the dimensions on my women and men carvings and seem to get the proportions pretty good. Children and infants are a different matter. They aren't 'smaller versions' of adults, I realize that, but my proportions still seem to look that way to me.

I'm interested in only realistic carving and since you have to be the world's expert on that (a little kissing up here but I can't resist saying so, since it's SO TRUE!) I wonder what you would recommend, either in tips or in books that you think would be of help. Thanks! Talking Callynne

[Ian Norbury]

I'd say that most of the difference is softness and roundness, fuller lips, cheeks etc. Longer eyelashes, smaller chin. Plenty of men pass as women and vice versa. If you can't spot the difference, you have a big problem. Sorry I do not do caricatures. Ian

[Ian Norbury]

To me a woodcarver is a tradesman who carves to a given design. A sculptor is a creative artist. If a woodcarver is a creative artist making his own designs I guess he is technically a sculptor albeit a very low brow one. If you look up the words like 'Artist,Art, Craft etc.' in the dictionary they all seem to be the same thing. Don't worry about it. Ian

[Ian Norbury]

Real kids would be best, but I realise there's a problem there. 'The Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist' by Peck (OUPIC.USA) has diagrams of body proportion including children. There is an old anatomy book published by Dover (I forget the title) that has a series of nude photographs from infancy to adulthood. Also a book by Ruby has photographs of infants. They vary a lot and you can't really go round measuring them can you. They have a big head - I know that. Best of Luck - Ian

[Callynne]

Ian, thank you very much for your reply! I'll check out the books and authors you recommended. I agree, real children should be the best reference, I certainly have enough of them in my life, but that hasn't seemed to help. Perhaps it's their never being still that's the problem!!!

Old Gord sent me some pages from an out of print book he has called Figure Drawing for All It's Worth by Andrew Loomis. Are you familiar with it? It has drawings of children from infancy right through to adulthood. A reference chart showing the growth through the years and text explaining the differences at each age. It really is wonderful and put right before my eyes so many things that were there but I was missing! Between his help and yours I should be able to do a better job at carving children! Thanks again! Callynne

[nebraska_carver]

Wow, not sure how to respond, but wow.

I have been following your work ever since a link was posted on an old tool list. I have purchased serveral of your books and followed along like a good student. I have completed the European women, and while mine is not beautiful - it does look like a women.

I would like to buy a couple of the DVDs on your website. Is is possible to pay in American? I am interested in the female nude DVD and the portrait CD.

Also you have listed some plans on female carving. Is this redundant if I already have the book on carving female faces?

I have been searching a lot lately on carving realistic human faces and there is not much to be found. It is a real treat to see you here.

Please consider doing something with the individual facial anatomy so that more pictures can be devoted (ie eyes, lips, nose). I would love to see a picture spread on just one feature so that I could practice.

Anyway, thank you from a huge fan.

nebraska rod

[Ian Norbury]

Hello,

Reagrding the DVD's and CD's you can purchase them straight off the website - www.iannorbury.com (see the shop section) - you can pay in any currency using a credit card. We can also accept dollar cheques, there is more information on the website if you need it.

The female plans are for plans for carving the head below, there are more pictures on website SHOP-> PLANS.

I will bear in ind the close up idea, thanks.

Regards - Ian.