Carving
the Human Figure
Studies in wood and stone
by Dick
Onians
Softcover
210 x 275mm
162pp
Published by Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Ltd, East Sussex UK
R.R.P.$31.90
ISBN 1-86108-179-0
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 102
Carving in three dimensions is difficult enough on its own, but the human figure - ironically - presents one of the greatest challenges to carvers and sculptors.
Dick Onions, a full time sculptor and teacher, and an Associate of the Royal Society of British Sculptors, regularly contributes to magazines and books. His most recent title is one of the best we've seen to comprehensively cover the three-dimensional carving of the human form.
The book focuses on providing a very deep understanding of human anatomy. A large number of photos and illustrations of the human musculo-skeletal form are studied.
The head itself is examined with a study in clay, that is built up in a number of photographs, by layering the muscular structure in steps, and finally covering it with skin. The finished object provides an understanding of why things look the way they do externally, based on what's underneath. The author further explores - in considerable detail - the carving of the nose, ears, and eyes.
The torso is constructed next, again with a clay model that builds up the body from the skeleton outwards. Extensive references to actual skeletons and diagrams of musculature help recreate a very good picture of what is inside the body. Important aspects of proportion are dealt with systematically, and a variety of measurement tools for accurately locating areas of the body on the timber blank are provided.
The legs are covered with the same detail as the above body parts. All throughout these examinations, carving exercises are used to illustrate the process of recreating each area.
The remainder of the book looks at techniques and compositions for producing expressiveness.
Carving the Human Figure is a great book on the body, and for those who cringe at the predominant use of the female form for illustrative purposes in this genre of carving, rest assured that this title includes various male nudes as well!
Photos: Colour
Contents
Introduction
Basic human anatomy
The head
The torso
The knees
The feet
The hand and arm
Carving the whole figure
The draped figure
Stylizing the figure
The figure in relief
Conclusion
Glossary of anatomical terms
About the author
Index