Figure Carving: The Ethnic Style
By Dr.King
()
About this ebook
This book opens up a new world of figure carving options for carving enthusiasts. It provides an unlimited number of options not only in style but also in techniques backed by detailed illustrations. Add an altogether new dimension to your carving repertoire.
See http://doctor-king-online.blogspot.com/2015/09/my-new-book-on-figure-carving.html for details
Dr.King
Dr.King is an avid writer in the nonfictional category. In the past 3 decades he has written several books in the areas of philosophy, Yoga, religious practices, sculpture, gardening, and so on. His books often blend scientific outlook with traditional faiths and practices. His books especially in the area of ancient philosophy succinctly showcase volumes of ancient literature in a condensed form, providing very authentic, insightful and unbiased portrayal. These books are generally characterized as thought provoking, giving an incisive look at the otherwise difficult to understand topics. One can expect to find reliable information, devoid of glorification and hype that is typical in this category.
Read more from Dr.King
Yoga Facts: Answers To Some Important Questions About Yoga Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Was Jesus Really In India?: Final Verdict On The Age-old Mystery Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Psychology Behind Yoga: Lesser Known Insights Into the Ancient Science of Yoga Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Mantra To Enhance Your Mental Capabilities Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Five Simple Grafting Techniques Best Suited for Most Exotic Fruit Plants Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNeurological Basis of Yoga Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Man the Most Attractive: Wonderful Stories of Krishna - Part 1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKrishna’s 4 Paths to Ultimate Happiness: Complete Yogic Science of the Bhagavad Gita Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMom! Who Is My Father?: Simple Upanishad Stories That Reveal Profound Truths Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCrux Of Mahabharata For Busy People Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMysterious Experiences : A Peek Beyond The Confines Of The Mind (New And Expanded Edition) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Man the Most Attractive: Wonderful Stories of Krishna - Part 2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUpanishads: A Journey Into the Unknown : Essence of Timeless Insights Attained Through Deep States of Meditation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAncient Wisdom: Modern Viewpoints : Interesting Picks From Ancient Indian Scriptures Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTowards a Better Understanding of Islam Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhat Happens When You Meditate? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBrain Science behind Yoga Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIs There a Mind beyond Our Brain? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow Do Yoga Postures Improve Health? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNear Zero Cost Ecofriendly Gardening: A Thrilling Practical Experience Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBuddha’s Soul: Invaluable Insights From An Enlightened Master Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHata Yoga: Myths Shattered Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Minimize Stress? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMeditation: Important Things You Need to Know Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Man the Most Attractive: Wonderful Stories of Krishna - Part 3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Threads That Lead to Divine Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Figure Carving
Related ebooks
Mohave Pottery Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEngraved Gems Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Evolution of Ceramic Production Organization in a Maya Community Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Potter's Craft A Practical Guide for the Studio and Workshop Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Paintings of Bundelkhand: Some Remembered, Some Forgotten, Some not yet Discovered Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Pilgrims Visit Rome: A 17th-Century Style Carved Box Made Using Hand Tools & Mini-Roman Workbench Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Complete Guide to the Ornamental Leather Work Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Progress of the Marbling Art, from Technical Scientific Principles: With a Supplement on the Decoration of Book Edges Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPrinciples & Practice of Ornamental or Complex Turning Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Royal Guide to Wax Flower Modelling Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWood Whisperer: My Woodcarving Journey: Wood Whisperer, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSPACE IS NEVER EMPTY 1975 - 1980s Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKachina Dolls Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStory of a Terrible Drawing: The Art Teacher Who Couldn't Draw Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMaking Time Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsScroll Paintings of India Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Simply Wood: 40 Stylish and Easy To Make Projects for the Modern Woodworker Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Fantasy Artroom Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Four Short Stories (Ideal For Reading While Waiting In Lines) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsZen and the Art of Art: Foundations: Learn to paint and draw with the step by step guidance of a kind Zen Art Master Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA-Musing: Parable Fairy-Tales for Kids and Grown-Ups Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWoodworker's Guide to Carving (Back to Basics): Straight Talk for Today's Woodworker Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Apples, etc.: An Artist's Memoir Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRed Dirt Riding Hood: A Corrine Laroche Adventure, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCarving for Kids: An Introduction to Woodcarving Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5The Complete Book of Woodcarving: Everything You Need to Know to Master the Craft Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Wood Whisperer: My Woodcarving Journey: Wood Whisperer, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsChan Heart, Chan Mind: A Meditation on Serenity and Growth Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Crusade of the Cross: A Marshall Mane Archaeology Adventure Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Crafts & Hobbies For You
Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Kawaii Crochet: 40 Super Cute Crochet Patterns for Adorable Amigurumi Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sharpie Art Workshop: Techniques & Ideas for Transforming Your World Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Morpho: Anatomy for Artists Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The CIA Lockpicking Manual Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Big Book of Maker Skills: Tools & Techniques for Building Great Tech Projects Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Edward's Menagerie: Over 40 Soft and Snuggly Toy Animal Crochet Patterns Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Crochet in a Day: 42 Fast & Fun Projects Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Learn How to Play Piano Keyboard for Absolute Beginners: A Self Tuition Book for Adults and Teenagers! Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life: Because You're Worth It Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Crocheting in Plain English: The Only Book any Crocheter Will Ever Need Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Practical Weekend Projects for Woodworkers: 35 Projects to Make for Every Room of Your Home Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsModern Amigurumi for the Home Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/540+ Stash-Busting Projects to Crochet! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Simply Stunning Crocheted Bags Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Teach Yourself VISUALLY Crochet Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ten Wild Herbs For Ten Modern Problems Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Rockhounding for Beginners: Your Comprehensive Guide to Finding and Collecting Precious Minerals, Gems, Geodes, & More Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCrochet Home: 20 Vintage Modern Crochet Projects for the Home Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Painting Water in Watercolour Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Crochet Every Way Stitch Dictionary: 125 Essential Stitches to Crochet in Three Ways Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Lit Stitch: 25 Cross-Stitch Patterns for Book Lovers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden: Grow, Harvest, and Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Modern Crochet Bible: Over 100 Contemporary Crochet Techniques and Stitches Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beginner's Guide to Crochet: 20 Crochet Projects for Beginners Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related categories
Reviews for Figure Carving
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Figure Carving - Dr.King
F:\my_books\amazon\am_ancient_wisdom\cover_design\cover_logo_old.jpg The inspiration to write this book is my recent visit to a remote village that seemed to be a relic from a bygone era. In a way, it opened the doors to a magical world of figure carving. So it is only apt to begin this book with this memorable visit.
It was a small south Indian village well known for its carving tradition. Carvings made in this little village have gone all over the world and it hosts some of the world’s largest monoliths. The village can better be called a big sculpture factory – almost every block has either a carver, or a carving school or a carving workshop! Wherever you look around, you can see a sculptor busy in action. The entire village is surrounded by black granite hills out of which most of the sculptures are carved. The village is rightly called ‘the black stone’ (Karikal) village.
As per the ancient Indian sculpture manuals – the ‘Silpa Sästras’ as they are called, figures carved out of black granite are the most suited for worship in temples. Though one sees mostly white marble figures in northern India, the south is black granite dominated. The particular variety of granite that is available in this village is relatively soft, fine grained and takes good mirror like polish. More than the Silpa Sästra, it is probably the easy availability of the stone and workability that have motivated the local carvers to select this stone.
My meeting with a master sculptor
I first visited the house of a well known sculptor. He is second in the generation of sculptors, whose father had several master pieces to his credit. An almost 40ft tall - monolith carved under his guidance is installed in a nearby village. Another giant monolith of Buddha has been installed in Japan few years ago. Of course, given the size, the giant statue had to be sliced into manageable pieces, transported, and once again re-assembled in Japan.
Unlike in the west, carving in India is a family tradition running from generation to generation. There are particular castes that specialize in carving. The boys born in this caste are trained in carving right from their childhood. Actually, they are never formally trained; they just pick it up from their elders who carve for a livelihood. Or it may not be wrong to say that carving flows in their genes!
Visit to a carving factory
I was led to the ‘carving factory’ attached to the house of the master sculptor. I am calling it a factory because the carving in these places is done almost like in an assembly line of an automobile factory! Carving is done stage by stage by different experts each specializing in a particular discipline.
First the master carver draws a rough sketch of the intended figure on the raw stone cut for the purpose. Next a sculptor who specializes in roughing works on it for several months depending on the size of the figure. He then passes it on to next guy who specializes in detailing. At this stage, different sculptors who specialize in different parts of the body would work on respective part – some on face, some on torso, and some on ornamentation and so on. After detailing, another set of specialists would rub and polish the figure. Finally, a coat of special oil based pigment is applied to the figure and the figure is ready for shipping!
Unfortunately, the day I visited this factory was a Sunday and there were very few carvers on duty. I met an old man – Kandasämi - who has been working for past 3 decades in this factory as a ‘rough carver’. The poor fellow could speak and understand only his mother tongue which was Greek and Latin to me! But as they say, art has no language barriers and surprisingly after sometime, both of us were communicating with each other without much problem and I gathered lot of information about their tradition of sculpting.
Kandasämi told me that normally he spends two to three months on a figure of say 3ft tall – to chisel the stone into a rough resemblance of the final figure. When I asked him why he does not use modern electrical tools to cut and shape