Carving a simple human figure can be both a rewarding and educational experience for a beginning whittler. By focusing on clear shapes and proportions, you can use the following eight reference images as guides to understand how arms, legs, and the torso flow together. Start with a block of soft wood such as basswood or pine, since these woods allow you to make gentle cuts without too much effort. As you look at each image, imagine how the lines of the body can be translated into simple planes and curves. This way, you remain focused on capturing the essence of a human form without becoming overwhelmed by fine details.
Helpful tips for the beginner
One helpful tip is to begin by identifying the major masses of the figure: the head, chest, and hips. Lightly sketch these areas on your wood block so you know where to remove material and where to leave thickness for strength. When you carve between the torso and the limbs, make shallow angled cuts that suggest the shoulder and hip joints rather than carving away material completely. This approach teaches you how to give the figure a sense of balance and posture before attending to smaller features. If the reference image shows bent arms or a seated pose, use your knife to carve along the edges of the limbs while keeping each limb connected to the main body block until you have the overall silhouette.
Another tip is to leave finer details such as facial features and fingers for last and work on them only after the basic shape looks correct. When you reach the head area, use gentle knife strokes to form a rounded shape, then carve small indentations for eyes and a simple wedge for the nose. Avoid making thin protrusions for fingers; instead, carve hands as mitt-like shapes or simple blocks to preserve wood strength. Finally, use sandpaper to smooth the surface and refine curves. Sanding helps to unify the planes of the figure and gives a more lifelike appearance without requiring intricate knife work. By following these steps, you can bring each of your eight images to life as three-dimensional carvings while building confidence in your whittling skills.