[Irishman]

I sold another wood spirit so I'm investing my small fortune to pick up another resource to expand my carving knowledge. I was disappointed in a recent purchase on a book for wood spirits as the resource was targeting beginners...I'm no expert but I was searching for more reference photos and new ideas and to book was too basic. Now, I am seeking advise on resources to help me with carving human torsos. I havent' quite got the female face down yet, however, I want to try another challenge. In the book listings, I came across Dick Onian's "Carving the Human Figure" and Ian Norbury's "Carving Classic Female Figures in Wood". Any feedback on these or other similar resources would be appreciated.
Patrick

[BobD]

Ian's book is my top choice! I haven't had a chance to start one of those torsos yet, but Mike Burton, one of our contributers, says it's one of the best books on the torso he's seen.

I really like it as well!

Bob

[dhjrcarver]

Ian's is first rate for carving a torso.He also has dvd's on how to carve the female torso and one on how to carve the male torso. Don

[TravisJHuval]

Dick Onian's "Carving the Human Figure"

Well, I own that particular book , yet I haven't tackled the part on the human torso yet.

As for as the human face\head goes I took the advice in the book and bought a really nice full-scale replica of a human skull . I actually compared it to real skull , I have to say if you buy the higher end replicas from bone clones you will not be disappointed...WOW .

Anyway , that's what seemed to get me near where I wanted to be . I rebuilt all the muscles of the skull and added flesh and so on using plasticine clay ,and a really interesting book that I picked up at Barnes and nobles " Atlas of Human Anatomy And Surgery ".

So next step for me when I'm ready is to buy a complete skeleton and build up from that .

I was quite surprised out how wrong my perception of the human face was . It is built nothing like what my mind thinks it to be . Purchasing the skull was definitely worth it . I believe that the addition of the entire skeleton will be money well spent for me any how .

What I'm getting at is that Dick Onian's book gave me the recipe I had to go out and buy the ingredients . He does give rather detailed instructions . But with the skull in hand I couldn't go in the wrong direction . I believe the torso will be the same for me . I'm just obsessed .

Hope this helps.

[Irishman]

Thanks for the feedback. I have since purchased Ian N. female face book and found it helpful. I purchased a few more for my library so I think I might be ready to try a torso. I'll be attending a wood carving and wood working show next weekend so I'll keep my eyes open for both of these resources. As for having a skull handy to see the bone structure, I agree. I have a two dimensional one but think a model would be that much better. I am still working with Edwards book - "Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain". This is a very valuable resource and will help anyone struggling with faces.
Patrick

[William]

Patrick,

Several months ago I started working on a few neoclassical carvings ("Diana" and "The Greek Slave") by Hiram Powers and I bought both of the those books ("Carving Classic Female Faces" and "Carving Classic Female Figures" by Ian Norbury) to use as reference and they really are a great help and the most useful of all the books I bought for these projects. One thing I really like about the books is that he used the same model in both books with lots of detail on ther head. One thing I would like to have in addition to the books would be more detail on feet and hands (for my "Greek Slave" project).

I also have "Carving the Head" in the Classic European Tradition (Geisler-Moroder), "Carving the Human Figure" (Dick Onians), "Fundamentals of Figure Carving" Ian Norbury and the "Hiram Powers" Catalogue of Works.

What kind of wood are you using, and will it be natural or painted?

Warm Regards
Bill

[Irishman]

Bill,

I looked for those resources at the carving show you mentioned earlier and they were not in stock. I'll have to pay for the packaging a freight I guess and have them mailed.
I'm hoping the course I am taking in January will assist me in bridging into doing full forms. The course is on gargoyles so it will test my skills for sure. At least with gargoyles, you can have ugly legs and torsos he he.

My instructor who I check in with from time to time is giving the course and he likes to use birch but he also uses basswood. I would probably go with the basswood as birch is very hard...however, the grain is very nice when the oil is applied.
I've only recently started to use acrylics for my faces but I expect I will use tung oil and maybe a polish when I make to the leap to torsos. My instructor is anxious for me to try a torso as he will mentor me through the tough stages. He has not offered a course on this topic in our area so I would be his test pupil.
If you had to prioritize one resource over the other, which would be your first pick? I already have Norburys "Carving the female face" and I also have Jeff Phares book on face carvings.
Share some of your torso carvings when you have the opportunity.

Patrick

[William]

Patrick,

The Bust is my favorite carving so far and I plan to do more of them so I like the book you have the best but next to that one I like "Carving Classic Female Figures"

It was really hard to do but I had to stop working on these last week and get back to my Christmas carvings, nothing like waiting until the last minute.

I'm trying to capture that modern painted marble look in wood where only the skin and hair is white and the rest is painted with some natural wood. These are pre detail and really rough, the white is a dry coat of gesso primer and the blue is a little tint added to the Texture Paste to get a feel for the shade of blue on the final.

The Greek Slave is all basswood except for the left hand and part of the arm
and I used oak for strength in the fingers, the base/post was carved separate. Something about her legs does not look right but I can't tell what it is, I think I need to step away for a while and look at it again next year with fresh eyes.

Diana is all basswood except for the base and it's cocobolo with a little basswood and purple heart on the bottom, the quiver is basswood, the arrow is a basswood dowel with Mahogany Veneer feathers. Diana has a broken collar bone and some swelling around her left eye but I promised to fix it when she starts speaking to me again. hehe

If anyone can tell me what is wrong with the greek slave I would like your input, fresh eyes may see things that I can't.

I would like to see your wip when you have something to share.

HaPPy Trails
Bill
^v^

[Baldy]

Dave Stetson has a small 6" or so scull that is used with clay to give you practice in developing a face. You can reach him at lcnmichele@aol.com. I don't know what he gets for them but they seem to be very accurate and he also teaches a class using them.

[Irishman]

Well you convinced me to purchase the female figure book by Norbury as those are some nice carvings. I can see starting off with a figure that is small in size to get the dimensions correct.
Careful asking for feedback on carvings from a picture as the perception is sometimes thrown off due to shadows and such. For example, the female figure appears fine but if I had to try and pick out something, I would suggest making the hand in front of her body smaller as the feet look much smaller in proportion to the hand. I would recommend having an unbiased person look at it in your shop in good lighting.
Take my review with a grain of salt as I have never carved a figure or a full bust for that matter, however, if it helps I don't mind critiquing your work given the short time I've been carving.
If I'm brave enough, I'll let you see my work when I get carving forms. Thanks for sharing your work.
Patrick