Trouble carving wood spirit face.

[sanvitode]

Hi everyone. I love reading everyones ideas and tips helps me out alot. I have a question someone may be able to help with. Ive been practicing wood spirits. Ive done about 10 or so on basswood practice blocks The problem Im having is I cant get the right side of the face look as good as the left side. I dont care what Ive tried it never looks as good. Im right handed I dont know if that has anything to do with it. I just did one for my sister inlaw. I thought it turned out good except for the right side. Am I crazy or is there something I could try? Any help would be appreciated

Michael

[mpounders]

not sure; it might help if you posted some pictures of your work so we could get a better idea. I found it helpful to draw pencil lines when I started, in order to make sure everything was balanced on either side. You can also use a compass to make sure the each eye starts and ends the same distance from a center line drawn straight down the piece. I have even resorted to cutting the eye shapes out of paper and tracing them to make sure that both are the same size! You might try working on the face as a whole, making sure that both sides are balanced before working on a specific detail, such as making sure the eye sockets are the same, the cheeks are the same, etc., before carving an eye. Then carve both eyes simultaneously rather than working on just one. I have started doing the general shape of the face first and then trying to get the nose like I want it. I usually leave the eyes until later on in the piece, after I have the mouth and beard shaped in good. Hope this helps, but I'm sure others will probably have some useful tips also.

[Waitpinga Whittler]

All of the above is spot on. Symmetry is everything in faces. Get a center line at the very beginning and no mater how much you carve away, make sure you always draw the centre line back. Paying attention to symmetry is half the battle.

Technique is probably the other part of the problem. My principle tool is a knife and being right or left handed does make a difference. If you are right handed you will find the left side of the face easier to access when you are first learning and so you tend to do that first. Because its easier, you also tend to reinforce your techniques on that side more than on the other. I get this with students all the time.

Work on the techniques that allow you access to the right side of the face. For instance, if a stroke pulls toward the centre line on the left side then it should also pull toward the center line on the right side. This means that the two strokes travel in opposite directions and require different techniques to execute them. Almost certainly one is going to be easier for you to do than the other. Practice the hard one until it becomes as natural for you as the easier one.

Once you have learned the same level of tool control on your 'weak' side as you have on your 'strong' side, you'll find your symmetry will have improved all by itself.

Finally, don't get too bent out of shape if you don't have perfect symmetry. Real life faces don't either!

A post of your work may give some clues as to what is specifically the promblem and allow more focused advice.

[Tom Ellis]

Hi Michael, You might try carving the right side first, and then you may find it easier to match up that side since the left is easier. I have found that I carve the left eye first, the turn the piece upside down to do the right eye. That way I can see better that they are straight across from each other.

Good luck, practice, practice practice. Tom

[BRIAN D]

Michael, the info above is right on, initial layout, with a pencil before cutting & being sure the lines are where you want them. Smaller chips, sharp knife, and turning while stopping to look at periodically. Hope it helps.

[sanvitode]

Thanks everyone Ill try to figure oout how to get a pic on here so you can see. Thanks again.

Michael

[Lance]

buddy your so not alone in the loppesided proportions, great question and great answers and tips from people. mine tend to look as though the left side is asleep and droopy.

[CountryPine]

I have only tried to make one now so far but I made it lopsided on one side. One reason may be because of a knot there was in the wood that took a big chunk away and left it with much less wood on that side. Thanks for asking I wasl also curios.

[Marvin Little]

Michael, I save the sanding sawdust from various woods and use it mixed with epoxy to fill holes and flat places on my sticks. If yu think about it the side of the spirit face on the opposite side from your dominate hand will seem awkward to you. If you are right handed then the left side will be harder for you to carve, because it is more awkward to reach. Try constantly comparing the two sides as you carve. Drawing lines during the carving process will help you to keep the dimensions correct and in line. Good luck.

Marvin

[TreeWizard]

I don't know why but being right handed, I find it easier to match the two sides of the face if I carve the left side first.