Classic European Woman

I wanted to try carve something I haven't done in the past. I have been a fan of Ian Norbury and his wood sculpting. This is a female bust from his book. I used a piece of basswood I had, so the bust is 6 inches tall. This type of subject has to be well sanded so it won't show carve marks when held in different light sources.  The wood flaw didn't show until I stared carving the face. I was lucky it was at the side of the eye and not in the middle of the eye. The pictures were taken at a little angle, so the face is a little longer on the actual carving. Ian goes into taking photographs of the model for an actual guide for your carving pattern.