The space between the nose and chin is often split again into thirds to perfectly place the upper lip, the indentation above the chin, and the chin itself.

Before you make your first cut, you must understand the basic roadmap of the human head. Most carvers rely on the to ensure a balanced, realistic appearance: Divide the face into three equal horizontal sections: The hairline to the eyebrows. The eyebrows to the bottom of the nose. The bottom of the nose to the bottom of the chin.

Carving the Human Face: Capturing Character and Expression Woodcarving a human face is one of the most rewarding challenges a woodworker can take on, moving beyond mere shapes to capture a living soul in timber. Whether you are working through the techniques of a world champion carver like in his book Carving the Human Face: Capturing Character and Expression in Wood or experimenting with your first "face stick," the goal is the same: to move past flat features and create a face that looks ready to blink. The Foundation: Proportions and the "Rule of Three"

True "character" doesn't come from fine detail, but from the deep anatomy of muscles and bones that create shadows.

A common beginner mistake is placing eyes too high; they actually sit roughly halfway down the head. Capturing Expression: The Secret is in the Shadows