/2026/chris-foltz-3zAr
“Detail”
On large pieces go large with detail. I’ve faught with myself over how dramatic to go with detail. Heavy representation on skin textures and sensory organs works great with large pieces. When the form is good the rest will follow suit. Use lines that cross over directional intent in a sculpture to exaggerate all the work on form. Like topographical lines, it forces the form to be upfront when you you see the sculpture especially from a distance.
Thanks for following along the last few days !
This is the last day to vote ! Looks like we are doing good enough to go to the next round ! Thanks you guys !!!
I’ll share the progress of the competition and share some more progress shots on other pieces soon !
Any ideas of progress sculptures you would like to see ? Let me know and I’ll try to add it to my list for the summer !
/2026/chris-foltz-3zAr
/2026/chris-foltz-3zAr
After the build and profile punch it is a quick transition to “Form”. Great friends have reminded me that Form is 90 percent of a sculpture. Pushing and pulling into depth from the profile, cutting corners and rounding moves straight to form on an elephant head. Mostly bone so symmetry is most important. Easier to carve the head to form first before building the trunk, otherwise moving around it can become tedious.
/2026/chris-foltz-3zAr
/2026/chris-foltz-3zAr
A quick build show ! This piece was created in Kentucky with my friend Abby Peterson!
You may know I love to carve Elephants!
This is a bust made from 14 pine tree cants, 12X12 beams about 8 feet long.
“Build”
Using a profile build the basic form of the head with beams cut to length
Looking at reference photos you know the head is slightly taller than wide
This block is meant to mimic the size of an Alaskan ice block at the “World Ice Art Championships” where Abby and I compete each year.
/2026/chris-foltz-3zAr
Vote here for People’s Artist !
/2026/chris-foltz-3zAr
“Detail”
Now at the point where you get to use smaller tools and enjoy a little artistic freedom again !
Using refrance Photo’s and keeping symmetry at the front of thought you are able to have fun in the skin of the sculpture. Keep it clean.
Hope this was useful to you all !
Still a few days left to vote if you’re still in the game !
Thank you all for the support!
I’ll start another build tutorial tomorrow if you are interested in following along !
Hope you had a great Mother’s Day all.
(Love you Baby ,)
/2026/chris-foltz-3zAr
/2026/chris-foltz-3zAr
“Rounding”
Finally we make it to basic rounding.
Staying in block form until this step gives the advantage to never lose sight of form and proportion.
It should seed up your execution and eliminate most mistakes on form.
Once you have simply rounded in a bulbus fashion you are ready yo detail.
At this point it’s strictly chainsaw.
/2026/chris-foltz-3zAr
/2026/chris-foltz-3zAr
“Set Depth”
If you are starting new in this style of carving this stage can be confusing. So I like to explain it simply as pushing and pulling to find your depth on each individual piece. Each piece of the face found individually to build the form.
Take steps
Use a center line
Draw a basic template on the front of your image before this stage to help.
I learned sculpture originally working pieces facing up from the ground as shown here. The style uses topographical concepts. High points and low points. Once I’m finished with the “Set Depth” stage I stand the piece up to move on.
You should clearly see the structure of the piece at this stage.
Time stamp, this is one day of work at this point in the project. (Not including design and lamination time) /2026/chris-foltz-3zAr
See you tomorrow for 8-side and rounding ! Almost finished !
/share/1HfgVf5YvH/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Day 2 !
“The Cookie Cutter”
After the build we hit the profile punch ! Starting with a template applied and simply cut straight through !
The only skill required, cut straight!
