Look at it from the bottom

[Robson Valley]

I'm carving with three spotlights, each on an adjustable frame: one at the back of the bench, one at the right hand end and one on a very long arm so the light comes from behind me, over my shoulder. My shop is cold in winter. Keeps me warm.
I can hold up a hand and get all kinds of shadows which help a lot.
BUT, try as I might, when I need L/R symmetry, I measure and measure and mess it up.
It can be done = I inherited a 4-figure totem pole, carved mid coast no later than 1953. It stands in my dining room. That this is an inspiration because the symmetry is fantastic and the technical quality of the work is something which I aspire to.
Gotta try again.

[carlt]

Have carved a few faces, where the right side of the face, looked as if he has a toothache. I guess I was a few brain cells short, a friend felt sorry for me, and informed me about work light. I was carving with the light on one side of the face. I rushed out and bought another light, changed the bulbs to daylight type. After that, the sides looked more alike. Looking at the carving from the bottom sure brings out my defects too! Good tip!!

Carl

[Robson Valley]

On my bench right now, I am trying to carve a frog. Just a simple frog. I have a full sized model cast in recycled green glass (which I collect) standing right beside the wood chips. The size of my fist.
But, the wood doesn't go that way. I'm not willing just yet to say I'm at my wits end but it's starting to smell like it.

[JimSawyer]

I'm tellin' ya...
That mirror trick is golden....
Don't forget that there are asymitries in nature. Don't be afraid to let them through...
When I look at my hands, they're not perfect copies of each other...
It's a matter of interpretation and artistic licence...
Computers make perfect things...And we all know how we feel about THEM...grrr...lol.
Maybe Joe has a tooth that needs work, so his cheeks aren't even..
Go with your gut...