How To Carve an Eye! (Knife-Carving Lesson)

Tutorial: How to Carve an Eye Using Knife-Carving Techniques

Step 1: Understanding Wood Grain and Grain Direction

1. Wood Grain Direction:
   • Visualize wood grain as tiny straws or fibers made of cellulose and lignin.
   • Think of grain direction as cutting uphill or downhill based on the horizon analogy.
   • Cutting uphill can result in the fibers shaving off in a fine layer, while cutting downhill maintains the strength of the wood.

Step 2: Carving an Eye

1. Drawing the Eye:

   • Begin by drawing an eye shape on the wood, considering the wood grain direction.
   • Imagine a 45-degree angle on both sides of the drawn lines to understand the wood's structure.

2. Carving Technique:

   • Carve away from the fragile part of the wood to avoid breaking the fibers.
   • Use a pyramid cut technique to remove a chip and separate fibers on all sides of the eye shape.

3. Detailing the Eye:

   • Clean out the detritus from the bottom of the cut to maintain clarity.
   • Carve deeper into the wood to create a recessed surface for the eye.

4. Adding Eyelid and Eyebrow:

   • Carve a lower eyelid by cutting away from the delicate wood.
   • Shape the eyebrow by gently carving along the drawn lines and preserving the wood fibers.

5. Final Touches:

   • Create a pupil by carving a small circle in the center of the eye.
   • Use diagonal cuts to add detail to the eyebrow, always protecting the integrity of the wood fibers.

6. Refinement:

   • Tidy up any rough edges by shaving off thin layers gently.
   • Reinforce the corners of the eye with pyramidal cuts to enhance durability.

7. Finishing:

   • Make final adjustments to the eye shape and details for a polished look.
   • Use the carving techniques learned to carve other facial features with precision and care.

Step 3: Conclusion

1. Practice and Experiment:

   • Apply the wood carving techniques demonstrated to other parts of the face for a comprehensive wood carving experience.

2. Continued Learning:

   • Stay curious and keep exploring different wood carving methods to enhance your skills.

3. Support the Creator:

   • Consider supporting the creator on Patreon to access more tutorials and content.

By following these step-by-step instructions, you can successfully carve an eye using knife-carving techniques, understanding wood grain direction, and mastering detailed wood carving skills. Happy carving!