How to carve an elephant?

[pepin1948]

If you can ever get a class with Peter Main, I'd recommend it. He also has several books out, but most are about coloring I think.

[ClayB]

[quote

I don't understand the double beveling you mentioned where the feet hit the ground???

Here is a picture to try and show what I meant by double beveling. It is kind of hard to explain, but you will get a different effect depending on which side of the line you bevel. If you bevel the bottom of the line, it may look like the foot is above the ground, floating instead of standing on it. If you bevel the top of the line, it will look like the foot is in the ground, as if it were standing in soft dirt, sand or mud. If you double bevel, it should make it look like the foot is touching the ground.

I also took a couple pictures of the home made wooden background tools and the impressions they make. They really work nice on a bigger picture where you have a lot of background to cover.

And finally, I decided that if I was going to try and tell you how to carve an elephant, maybe I should try one myself. I looked in the FIgure Carving Finesse book that I mentioned before and Al had several elephants in there. I picked one and carved it. I took a series of pictures as I was going. I will send thess off to Johanna and maybe she can post them for me. I did most of the work on the elephant I carved with just a modeling tool I think that it is probably the most important tool you can have if you are doing figures, and also is pretty important with any other carving. It has so many uses and one of the biggest is to smooth everything out. I think you will find that your second elephant will be a lot easier, and you will be able to add more detail as you go. Figure carving just takes practice, and I think that you will do well at it.

Clay

[Regis]

Clay,

That sure does help and I see what you mean with double beveling. Those wooden dowels are a great idea for all kinds of texturing. I've actually cut similar things on drill rod to create/match effects to stamp on gold & silver. Wood is much easier and I could easily make them to fit many situations as I go.

I will have to learn a lot more about using modeling tools though.

On the last picture, in the lower right, is that what you do with checkered figure carving matt tool where figure meets the sky (earlier post)?

Once again, thanks,

Regis

Edited February 4, 2007 by Regis

[ClayB]

Clay,

That sure does help and I see what you mean with double beveling. Those wooden dowels are a great idea for all kinds of texturing. I've actually cut similar things on drill rod to create/match effects to stamp on gold & silver. Wood is much easier and I could easily make them to fit many situations as I go.

I will have to learn a lot more about using modeling tools though.

On the last picture, in the lower right, is that what you do with checkered figure carving matt tool where figure meets the sky (earlier post)?

Once again, thanks,

Regis

Here is the finished elephant carving. Step by step photos will follow. Hopefully they will give you some hints as to how to use the modeling tool also. By the way, I agree with Holly. Peter Main makes a really great modeling tool. I use mine on everything I carve.

Clay

[Johanna]

Clay's step-by-step Elephant Carving

(Excellent job, Clay! Thank you!!)

Johanna

[MatthewD]

Thank you Clay... looks very good

[Regis]

Clay,

You've done a magnificant brief tutorial and I am greatful. It really clears up much for me. With help getting off the ground like this I better do well. I had planned on learning sound and attractive design and assembly but, I'm getting pretty hooked on carving.

I'll finish the one I'm doing tonight and start a new one tomorrow evening (with a lot more in my bag of knowledge) thanks to you.

Johanna,

Thanks so much for posting/hosting Clay's slides.

Regis

Edited February 5, 2007 by Regis

[K-Man]

You might consider picking up a sample of the various "skins" of the elephant to see how the texture is. It's different for the main body, ears, and trunk. Then perhaps try to replicate that as best you can.