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The curve over the top of the skull begins at the base
of the ears. Slant the ears from the back toward the
front. Carve a tiny dip above the bridge of the nose,
right between the eyes.
Separate the front and hind legs by slicing a
notch between the feet from the outside. From the
front of the forelegs and back of the hind legs, cut a
narrow trench the length of the proposed opening.
Make repeated passes from the feet toward the body,
slicing deeper V-shaped cuts until you cut all the way
through. After making the opening, shape the legs—
they should be rounded over the muscles in front and
narrow over the tendons up the back. Give the forelegs
elbow peaks and hollow depressions in the ribcage
behind them. Round the edges of the belly and cut a
little hollow in the flank just in front of each hind leg.
The belly ends in a very tight V between the hind legs.
Adding Details
The paws are rounded across the front and have
sloping toes. Draw four toes on each foot. At the edges
of the knuckles, cut a tiny notch for each, cutting a
matching sliver from the bottom edge for each toe.
Draw the facial features in pencil first, and then
outline them with the point of a straight, or skew,
knife. Remove tiny chips to form the features. The cuts
to define the outlines of the ears can slant inward a
little. Nip little chips from under the bottoms of the
ears without getting them too thin, and then round
under the jaw and neck.
For the tail, pencil in the maximum wag, or
curve, in the available tail space. Carve from the tip
to the base until you reach the pencil line, rounding it
carefully inward.
Look at the dog from all sides to ensure it is evenly
balanced and correctly shaped. When you are satisfied
with the carving, finish it by painting or staining it. I
suggest mixing artist’s oil paints, such as burnt umber
or Payne’s gray, with varnish to create a glaze. Test it
on a piece of scrap wood to check the color and then
paint it on the figure. It will dry a little lighter; add
coats until you like the color.
Fore legs
Hind legs
Side
Back
Front
Paws
Carving guides
Tail, back, sides,
and neck
Belly and
hind quarters