[doris]

this is a study, to learn expression ... i totally messed the finish, got for my taste too shiny, and even worse it looks blotchy ... sigh ... anyway, it was meant only to study form of muscles when smiling... from front he looks a little dumb, (he looked better without the finish) i like the side views however... critique welcome, for learning for next pieces :-) (... and, if there is a way to remove that finish (it is colored briwax) i would be glad to learn how...)

[Mottles]

Hi Doris, as you say it is a 'study to learn expression' and a learning tool. I do think you accomplished what you set out too. As for the finish I haven't been carving long enough to advise. Why not just leave it alone.....Someone will come along soon with their suggestions.
Kathy

[BobD]

I'd try to wipe off the finish first with a rag soaked in mineral spirits (paint thinner), and if that doesn't work, lacquer thinner. It may remove some or all of the color

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[Irishman]

I was going to suggest what Bob mentioned for the finish - good luck.

As for feedback - I would try bringing your grin lines on the side of the nose and mouth up higher...with that, it usually causes the eyes to squint. The chins appearance is tough to figure out (I struggle with chins)...maybe its the length or how broad it is...hmmmmm. Let the more season'd carvers help you out - I'm stumped. BTW, I've done the very same as you Doris with some wood to try and work with expressions - its not as easy as one would think.
Patrick

[Jim OH]

Hi Doris,
At a loss to solve the finish problem. There that was a lot of help LOL.
As far as the face, and keep in mind this is from a caricature carver;
1. I usually start the grin lines at the halfway length of the nose, also where the grin line curves around the nostral, the end of the curve points at the tip of the nose as seen in side view.
The smile lines need to be raised to make cheeks stand out, The smile lines you have carved would better suite a frowning mouth.
2. To enhance the look of the teeth cut a little sliver out between the top of the bottom lip and the bottom of the teeth to make it appear there is an ending point for the teeth.
3. On the back two teeth cut a small triangle out to make it appear these teeth go back into the mouth. I also cut the teeth at an angle to enhance the look of the teeth curve. I'll cut the back of one tooth straight, then angle cut the front of the next tooth at an angle.
4. The eyes, to me, seem too far apart. One eye length is standard, sometimes I even make mine closer. The inner eye corner almost goes behind the bridge of the nose.
5. The temple area needs to be carved, if you run your finger down the side of your temple you will feel a depression on each side about straight back from the eye sockets.
6. Make the eyes slant down a little, from the inner edge to the outside edge.
I think I had better stop. Please don't be upset with my observations, but it is truthfully how I see the piece. I hope my musings provide food for thought. I do like your work and think it is extrodinary. I carve mens faces almost exclusively as I couldn't hope to carve any of the beautiful women's faces that you do. My typical womans face is viewable in the May I Have This Dance post under caricature carving. My only hope is I have made one comment you can find useful.
Jim OH

[Keoma]

does not look dumb...tired...he looks tired. He also looks great! Congratulations!

[doris]

thank you !!
bob, i will try this, it is good to learn such too in case it ever happens on an important piece, and it sounds good idea, thank you bob :-) ...
patrick, :-) , yes is very difficult, but fun too...yes the smile lines, i think i only have their shape about right, not the placement..
oh, jim, great ! thanks a lot for your effort in writing all this for me. in fact i was hoping one of caricature carvers drop in to help, since you all do expressions so well. have not thought much on the teeth, but your ideas on them are great...yes, the eyes, they got smaller and smaller on me, thats why they now look too far apart i think. thank you very much for all your tips how to approach a smile, i save them since i want do another, and can use yor considerations :-)

[Lynn O. Doughty]

You asked so here's my 2 cents worth. As for the smile, the chin is too strong. It almost looks like if you could cut the muscle on the bottom of that jutting chin the cheeks could relax to create just the smile you're looking for. Even from the sides that chin pulls everything down which is just the opposite way you want the facial lines to flow. I use a mirror and a camera to create references to follow.

[Ashbys]

Doris ,

It is wax , which means it is a surface finish, beeswax and palm oil, I would suggest a soft cloth with wax remover to clear the surface of the wax, then lightly sand with a 800 -1500 grit sand paper using it like a polishing cloth should give you a matted type finish.

Ash

[doris]

hi, thank you everybody :-) ... i did follow bobs suggestion today, it did remove the shine, and some of the deeper color, i put after that some different beewax, and now it looks much better ... thanks a lot for your help :-)