caricature carving

My computer has been down for two weeks and I just logged on and was surprised how few messages are in the caricature carving (cc)category. For some of the ' Beginners', cc is an easier way to get started in carving since nothing has to be exactly as it looks, rather everything is 'Exagerated'. Ex; Disney figures have four fingers. Or if you break a shoe, carve a peg leg, also , if you mess up an eye, put a patch on the other eye. I know a carver that only carves Santa with one eye ( he has the cap over the other)! The main thing is to enjoy! Big Al

You are right and they are fun!

: :-/ Big-Al, where are located? I knew a man, a number of years ago, called Big Al. Have wonder were he went? He was not a wood carver however. You are so right, when carving becomes a hard task, job or problem---it is time to look elswhere. All my stuff is caricature, 'cause, frankly I don't have the talent to do anything else. The person who started me in carving, carved only Santa and said that was all she wanted to carve........I thought how boering, but then I carved one and eventurally found out that I could carve one Santa evey day the rest of my life and I never get 'em all caraved. It what you like and enjoy that is most important. So do it and enjoy. Take care--------charlie

I live in a town next to Atlantic City, New Jersey

> :-[ Well, heck Big Al, you are not the person I thought you might be. Thanks for responding, I sorry your not him, you take care and enjoy-------charlie

: :-[ Big Al----may I call you big al' O.K. I have trouble carving eyes or at least they are my most difficult part of the carvings. Do you, by any chance, have a fool-proof method of caraving eyes?? I like to hear about it. charlie

Charlie,
There is no 'fool proof' way of carving eyes.
There are simple eyes, difficult eyes, impressed-in eyes, painted-on eyes, hidden, closed and degrees of open eyes, but I have yet to find a fool-proof eye to carve.

Just when I think I have an eye mastered, the eyelid crumbles and I have to gouge it out and start over.

The most helpful method for carving eyes (for me anyway) is in 'Carving Egg Heads' by Mary Finn (LittleShavers stocks it). It made absolutely no sense to me when I read it, but when I followed the steps it worked fine. Once I got those basics down, it proved relatively easy to modify the method to suit the carving I was doing at the time. Rick's correct, it's real easy to boo-boo and have to start over.

Big Al,
I can not tell how impressed I am that you took the time to mail me 'The drunk on the lamp post'. It is exactly what I was looking for, I shall forever in your debt. If you ever need anything, that I can help you with please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thanks again,
Charles Gushue
E -mail Gush275@aol.com
User name Charmer :

Carving eyes is just a matter of practice. I teach MY method of carving eyes but to relate it here is almost impossible. One of the first books I bought when I started carving was 'Carving Heads,hats,and hair' by Claude Bolton. I still refer to it almost weekly, and it is my 'Bible' If you need info as to where to purchase it, let me know . Big Al