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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Sydney
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    Default First attempt at a Torso

    I planning a house sign/family crest based on the first image below which is associated with the McFarlane surname. This is ridiculously ambitious because I have only carved a little and nothing to do with humans or other animals, but what is one to do..?

    I modelled this a couple of times in clay first to try and understand the form. The carved result is shown here - the whole torso is 130mm from top of hair to bottom of waist. Still very two dimensional as I haven't fully capitalised on the whole depth of the wood. I had hoped to show the twist in the lower torso and the outward thrust of the lower chest more clearly as well. The face is pretty blank but I didn't have very high hopes for a first attempt. I haven't tackled the hands and sword yet.

    I plan to do this a couple more times until I feel I would be happy with it hanging on my wall. Critique/suggestions always welcome
    DSCF3377.JPGDSCF3373.jpgDSCF3375.JPGDSCF3374.JPG

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    nth coast nsw
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    1,557

    Default

    ..great first attempt Yx...IMO you're doing it right if you start with models first..
    my only suggestion would be plasticene rather than clay..

    what if the hokey pokey is really what it's all about?

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    470

    Default

    You've picked off a hard one for your first attempt but your doing well, maybe just sand down the muscle edges a bit towards the end so they look more "under the skin". Good work.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    145

    Default

    Gents,
    Thanks so much for the encouraging words.

    Ufoot - interesting that you prefer plasticise, I find it very stiff and my little girly hands get fatigued - do you heat it first or something?

    Rob - thanks for the tip, though I don't relish the idea of sanding, I can see how it may be necessary here to get something that passes as 'skin'

    Cheers

    Coxy

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Ponchatoula, LA, USA
    Posts
    342

    Default

    Excellent start for a first human!

    Claude

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    298

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Yxoc View Post
    I planning a house sign/family crest based on the first image below which is associated with the McFarlane surname. This is ridiculously ambitious because I have only carved a little and nothing to do with humans or other animals, but what is one to do..?
    Hi Coxy, looks like you're on the right track. I have also used plasticene for making a model to sort out the 3D issues of a new project, before starting to carve. In winter the plasticene stays a bit hard at first, but after working it a little, it does become very kneadable and easy to work with. In summer I find that the opposite applies, it can be too soft, so then I need to make sure that the armature (the internal supporting structure) is a bit more ... mmm ... well, supportive.

    Have you thought about joining a local woodcarving group to get some advice and/or tips? Noting that you are in Sydney, there is the Sydney Woodcarving Group who hold carving sessions at four locations, namely Epping, Chester Hill, Lilly Pilly and Shellharbour. See their website at www.sydneywoodcarving.org.au,
    I have sent you a PM with some more detail on the SWG. Cheers, Peter

  8. #7
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    145

    Default

    Claude - thanks for the kind words, I appreciate them.

    Goguppy, The clay is cheap enough, I find it on the ground locally. It needs to be kept moist when working on a model or it will crack very quickly but otherwise it suits my needs. Sent you a pm.

    Cheers

    Coxy

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Tasmaniac
    Posts
    1,470

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    Good luck with the project.
    Just couldn't help but notice on that first picture. It is a shame that the sword and arm of the bloke holding it is obscuring the text written on the belt in the background.
    What it says is anyone's guess. The _ _ _ _ _ defend?

  10. #9
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    145

    Default

    G'Day Artful,
    Thanks for your interest. No need to guess at the inscription, I can tell you it says 'This I'll defend', which I believe is the motto off the McFarlane clan.
    Regards
    Coxy

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