[Ashbys]

Hi all ,
Thought you might like to see the progress on the second Stonewall. about 3 hours into the carving . I think it is starting to shape up.

Had an unexpected twist , the basswood was suspose to be oval , but came in square and no time to exchange so most of the art work had to be modified. Should be a good carving if I can get the portrait correct.

Garry

[Irishman]

Yes your off to a good start. Quite a likeness so far.
Patrick

[Colin_Partridge]

Nice start Garry look forward to seeing him finished
Colin

[Kenny_S]

Jolly good progress Ash. Already looking like the photo!

[Ashbys]

Thanks Guys,

I take a lot of breaks when I do this and then I take a photo and study the photo to see how it matches , looking pretty good right now , I guess I am about 4 and a half hours into it .

The face has been refined and the hair line placed , the sides have been cut to depth . will soon start the detailing .

Garry

[Ashbys]

Ok ,
I need suggestions , something is not quite right might just be the nostrils , but a second eye would be appreciated .

So I am stepping back for a few mins. And looking to see what it is .

Garry

[BobD]

Ash,
One thing I notice is that in the photo of Stonewall there is a greater distance between his eyes and the start of his beard. The face looks a little smushed...

I feel bad because I can't offer any advice on how to fix it...

Bob

[Ashbys]

Thanks Bob !

You were right , in recessing the face , I needed to change the beard there and rotate it under, still need to blend a bit more but it is much better now.

I also rounded the eyes more as they were to oblonged , changed the nostrils and smoothed the left side as it was to harsh or stern. Oh and had to change the eyebrows to bring them closer together.

Looks better I think,

Ash

[Kenny_S]

Ash, I usually get into trouble critiquing someones carving but,,,,, In the photo of Jackson, it is taken from the left side of the subject but your nose looks to me to be straight on. The bridge of the nose should be longer as the eye brows come down to far in the middle. Photo shows a more straighter eyebrow line were the carving is more arched/rounded.

Now My problem is, I can't tell you how to fix it. I will say, you are getting there and I think rather quickly. Maybe someone with good eyes can help in getting the nose to look more like the photo, looking more from the left side. I thought for a minute the photo was a 3/4 view but a more closely look it ilooks to be a little over a 3/4 view.
However, in seeing your reliefs and with your dedication, you will come out fine on this one also.
Carry on good fellow!
Again, I like your work.

OK OK, I will go back in to my own little world. That is ok, they know me there!!

[BobD]

I noticed that too, Kenny...and also didn't know how to fix it...I also wondered if Ash was done with the nostrils yet...If I were carving them, I would leave the delicate areas thick until I was doing my final detailling...

bob