A Valuable How-To Reference from One of the World's Leading Wood Sculptors

In Carving Classic Female Faces in Wood, noted sculptor Ian Norbury gives woodcarvers a thorough, how-to guide to bringing out the beauty of a female face from a block of wood. Using hundreds of photographs and drawings, the author provides in-depth instruction on carving two different adult faces—one European and one Afro-Caribbean—and one child's face.

Inside, both beginning and advanced woodcarvers and sculptors will find expert guidance on tackling the unique challenges of carving a female face, including:

• Anatomy of the female face

• Taking photographs and producing patterns

• Step-by-step instructions and easy-to-follow patterns—with hundreds of full-color photographs of models and the carving process

• A photographic gallery of finished carvings to provide inspiration for your own work

Ian's ability as a wood sculptor is based on his skilled draftsmanship and a pragmatic technical approach, which gets the job done as efficiently as p0ossible regardless of method. His innovative techniques are matched by his original and imaginative subjects, which have given him financial success and an enviable reputation among art lovers in Britain.

Much of his work is based on European folklore and mythology combined with cynical tongue-in-cheek sideswipes at the pomposity of contemporary life. Hhe is equally known for his exquisitely made nude figures and portrait busts, which are the usual subjects of his teaching seminars.

Ian now lives with his wife Betty in the Republic of Ireland, but still maintains a house, studio and gallery in England.