I should probably take my time on this drawing. I want to try to avoid having any wide open cut away areas. I also might like to try more small patterning in areas. Lately I’ve been noticing a lot of woodcuts that use intricate patterning instead of more generic ways of building values and defining shapes.
This carving is final, as in “I won’t be messing with it anymore.” It is not final, as in perfect or resolved. Maybe the next one should be head and shoulders or at least head/neck. At any rate, I think this little exercise has helped me understand the figure better and it sure was fun. It definitely points out a few areas that I am a little hazy on as far as understanding the figure. For instance, I always run out of room for the chin. I already have another chunk of wood, so I imagine it won’t be long before I start the next one. However, I have several print related things I would like to pursue first.
I learned that these tools cut real people as effortlessly as they cut wooden people. I punctured my palm with the big C gouge. Messy and painful, but that’s alright. I guess that’s what they call learning the hard way.
I was starting to lose enthusiasm for this thing but now I’m very excited. The parts are starting to flow together more. It is starting to look like gravity is pulling on the flesh in a somewhat natural way. Very exciting, but I know I could still blow it.