[Irishman]

I will do my best to articulate and illustrate how I was taught to do eyes. I went back and reviewed how Irish, Mark and others did a tutorial...and that just made me hesitate even more
Well anyway, readers may find my attempt entertaining.
I will post several threads and break it down the best I can. Hope the approach I was taught can help those who struggle with the eyes. I am trying to be brief so please send me a message if anyone wishes details. I will let my pics illustrate how I progress to completing my eyes.
For the most part, I use a #9 gouge, a small fishtail, and a detail knife for making cuts.
Patrick

[Irishman]

2nd thread for eyes

First I mark where the corners of the eyes will be using the predrawn lines to ensure I spaced the eyes appropriately. One thing I learned, leave the lines on as long as you can for reference.
I then use my # 9 gouge and dig out the Xs to a depth well past the present bridge of the nose (note: I later make the holes deeper)
I then go across with my #9 and round out the wood b/w the holes I made.
I suggest looking at the profile now and again to ensure you are setting the eyes at a good depth.

[Irishman]

Oops here are the pics for the 2nd thread.
I did say I'd be entertaining

[Irishman]

3rd Thread for eyes

I then cut out the corners of the eyes.
I draw a line from each corner of the eye just beyond the lines I drew.
I then make a curved line to form the upper part of the eye, then a thin curved line for part of the lower eye.
You'll note from the pic that a third curved line is drawn on the lower which starts about a 1/3 from the centre.

[Irishman]

Fourth thread for the eye

Now I'm ready to start using my detail tool.
- I start from the centre and cut (carefully) towards the outer corner...and make my cut deep the last 1/3. My cut for the upper lid extends well past the corner.
- Once I finish the cut for the lower lid, I make a straight cut down the eye using the corner line as a reference.
- I then remove the small section of the wood. This encourages me to round the eye more.
- Lastly, I use my detail knife and fish tail to remove the wood in the eye rounding into the corners.

[Irishman]

Thread #5 for the eyes

Using my #9 gouge, I carve into the corners of the eye removing the wood to help form the eye socket.
- I am now starting to form the cheek bones to help determine how I will form the eyes.

[Irishman]

Thread #6 for the eyes

I now start to form under the eyebrow by digging out the wood to form the eye socket.
- then rough out the eye brows...I like big eye brows as you can tell from my carvings.
I then make another cut from the corners of the eye ball so I can set the eyes in deeper. Once again I use my fish tail and detail knife to shave the wood away from the eye all. My eye lids are now showing thickness.
- I also start taking wood away from the corners of the eye. Start dropping back with the gouge the last 1/3 of the eye. Careful not to remove the cheek bone.
- I start to take in the side of the forehead at this stage.

[Irishman]

Thread #7 for the eyes

Almost finished.

I start shaving more off to form the cheek bone and begin putting more depth in the eye socket using my #9 gouge again.
- Remember the deep cut I mentioned that extends when making the cut for the upper eyelid - at the corners of the eye, use the #9 to gouge out the wood to give the start of the eye lid.

[Irishman]

Thread #8 for the eyes

Take your time at this stage

Cut from the inside corner of the eye using the detail knife to the outer edge. At the 1/3 part of the eyelid I start cutting very deep.
- next use your detail knife at an angle to cut and begin removing wood on the lid.
- Again, cut deep at the 1/3 part and turn the knife slightly up at the end...remove the wood.

[Irishman]

Thread #9 for the eyes

Finally

I then shave using my fish tail under the heavy eye brow to form the brow.
- I use a detail gouge and knife to make cuts to show the bags under the eyes, wrinkles, and other character lines.
- I pencil in what I want my eyes to look like, and then finally use a basic burning kit to burn the eyes.
- and that's it.

Hope you find this somewhat different approach helpful. I learned my technique from Keith Matheson (Master Carver) from Carvers Coffee shop and lounge in Pictou, Nova Scotia.

Patrick