Alec LaCasse
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Fundamentals of Woodcarving

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Intermediate Face: Setup Part I

Part 1 of 5: Setup

This video is about how to set up a good foundation for the realistic face. The foundation is so critical to getting a good result. If you structure the face correctly you can reward yourself with fine details.

This is an Intermediate level project, carving the face in Plains Cottonwood Bark.

This project series spends a substantial amount of time breaking down the setup of the face. It is very important to understand how the major shapes (eyes, nose, mouth, etc) interact with one another. Many carvers make the mistake of adding detail to the face before they have properly set up the features. This series helps carvers avoid that pitfall by showing a basic understanding of the proportions of the male human face. Details of the face are also covered in this series, along with some of the tools and tricks developed to achieve realistic wrinkled skin.

Tools Used:

If you do not have the same tools, remember you do not have to have the exact same sizes-- just within the same size range. For example a #4 25mm can be replaced with a #2 or #3 in a similar width. #4 -25mm (gouge)

  • #11 -4mm (veiner)

  • #9 -6mm (gouge)

  • #9 -16mm (gouge)

  • #47 -4mm (v-tool)

  • 1-1.25” bench or detail knife

  • #10-3mm (veiner)

  • #11-2mm (veiner)

  • 220 and 320 grit sandpaper

Intermediate, Features of the Face, Intermediate - FacesAlec LaCasseintermediate, face, plains cottonwood bark, 25mm #4, #4 25mm gouge, #11 4mm veiner, #9 6mm gouge, #9 16mm gouge, #47 4mm v-tool, 1-1.25" bench or detail knife, #10 3mm veiner, #11 2mm veiner, 220 grit sandpaper, 320 grit sandpaper, setup1 Comment