Alec LaCasse
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Fundamentals of Woodcarving

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Part II Of The Simple Face: Refine and Detail

Part 2 of 2: The Details

The simple face project is ideal for beginners looking to start into face carving.

It covers the basics of setting up and carving the male face, while hiding the mouth and chin with a flowing beard. Beginner carvers can struggle with where to start on a face carving. This project will help guide newer carvers to understand carving hair and the proportions of male eyes, nose, cheeks, etc.

I am joined by my friend Yoni Seevers, who serendipitously pulled up in his Honda just as I was about to start filming this project. I use Yoni as a proxy for YOU, the new carving student. Yoni helped the direction of the video by reminding me about the particular struggles of people new to hand carving. This was a blast.

We use Cottonwood bark here, but other materials are acceptable: Basswood, Birch, Butternut, or Mahogany.

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

Beginner, Features of the Face, Beginner - FacesAlec LaCasse#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, face, eyes, beard, mouth, beginnerComment