Questions for Ian Norbury

[KettleKarver]

I've watched with interest your progress on the Masai Elder. In the number 6 photo, you've applied a white medium to sections of the carving. Can you please explain the purpose and what you use?

[Ian Norbury]

I used ordinary white primer and it's purpose was merely to show these areas on the photograph, nothing else.

[BobD]

Ian,

In another thread, http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/forum/t6021.html

we are discussing how to deal with charities--and friends and family--who want you to "donate" a carving or a work of art. How do you deal with something like that--with your international exposure, I'm sure you receive many such requests.

Thank you in advance!

Bob Duncan
Wood Carving Illustrated

[jdukes1]

Hi Ian,


I thought I would show you a picture of my results from your cd "Carving a Portrait in Relief." Great cd, it helped me a lot. I think I am ready to tackle my own portraits now.

Thank you,
Jerry

[Ashbys]

In looking at your work , it seems you do a lot of work that is done seperately then put together to give the impression. Using a large ammount of inlays to high light the center of the work.

Your Punchinello looks to be a relief carving, attached to marble sections. Which were attached to the base where the form of death was carved.

My question would be , was Punchinello carved seperatley and then attached to the carving ? Did you use marble? Or is the effect created buy the use of painting techinque ?

Garry McKinney

[Irishman]

Hello Ian,

I'm struggling to make my female faces look female. Attached are a few pics of a female face that I cannot seem to carve to the proper proportions. The various parts do not appear symetrical ie. eyes too close together, lips perhaps too large, cheek bones too high, etc. This is my first attempt at doing hair so your feedback on what I can improve on would be helpful. The wood is birch and appears patchy because some of it is fresh wood I just shaved. What could I do to improve on her and make her features more feminine? Your help would be appreciated.
Patrick

[Dunno103]

Hi Ian (and everyone else who reads this)

I have been searching the net for about 2 months and have come across reviews of your books.

Yesterday I ordered 2 (fundamentals of figure.. and carving classical female faces...)

Now I can say g'day from Australia, your work is truly inspiring.

Thanks for the link to your site.

Take it easy

Steve

[betty.norbury@virgin.net]

Hi every one

I am sorry that there seem to be unanswered questions for Ian. You may wonder why I am answering them. Ian is not so hot on the computer and I am working at his dictation.

I thought we had answered the one about the charities, but I can not see the reply here. Ian rarely gets asked to give his work, perhaps people feel it would be a bit bold given the cost of the pieces. In the past he has given drawings for auctions when the money has been going direct to the participants as in a special school etc.

For Jerry

Ian is delighted that his CD has been of benefit to you and that you are happy with your results. Ian & James have been very tied up of late, but they hope to get all the cds made into dvds and possibly bring out a new one.

For Garry

This piece is all wood, It is a dish carved, pierced and painted and attached to a carved and painted back board. A similar piece, Seraglio, is featured stage by stage in the back of the book 'Art of Ian Norbury'

For Patrick

I do not know how to get back, show Ian the pictures and continue the reply, so we will finish this - go look at the pictures and post a reply

For Steve

Hope you enjoy the books - Our daughter lives down under and we have just enjoyed a few months there with her.

Best wishes to you all

Ian (and his typist - Betty)

[RLarson]

Question for Ian Norbury,
I am going to (attempt) carve your piece entitled 'the bather' my intent is to carve it to about the full size that your original is (about 24+") I am wondering what the rings about her upper arms are made of, I'm hoping that copper pipe of about 11/4" might work. My choices of wood will be basswood, or butternut, I would appreciate your opion on what wood she would look best carved from. Love your work, a true artist in a medium that does not allow for (many) mistakes.
Thank You for your input.
Bob Larson

[betty.norbury@virgin.net]

Thank you for your kind words, I used copper pipe, but I believe it was 1 inch which I hammered on a piece of steel until it fit perfectly (you can just see the hammer marks on the photographs). Personally I would use basswood (the same as my limewood) as I do not like a lot of grain, but it is a personal choice. On butternut I think I would use silver finger rings which are pretty cheap and would show up nicely.
Best wishes
Ian