Carving a Graceful Female Bust in Wood

There’s something timeless about carving a human figure, and the female bust might just be one of the most rewarding projects you can take on as a woodcarver. This piece is elegant, expressive, and just challenging enough to push your skills to the next level. With its soft facial lines, subtle anatomy, and flowing hair, this project gives you the perfect opportunity to study proportion, practice symmetry, and experiment with adding personality to your work.

Carving a bust isn't just about copying what's on the pattern — it's about bringing the sculpture to life. You'll learn to balance form and detail, to shape natural transitions, and to capture a calm, graceful expression that feels almost alive. By the end, you'll have a sculpture that is both an artistic statement and a fantastic practice piece for anyone looking to get serious about figure carving.

Let's gather what you'll need and get started.

What You'll Need

• Basswood block – soft, forgiving, and perfect for fine detail work
• C16 Big Roughing Knife – for roughing in shapes
• Gouge – for broad shaping
• K9/10 – Compact Wood Carving Gouge (Sweep #9) – for deeper cuts
• K5/12 – Compact Wood Carving Gauge (Sweep#5) – for tight curves
• K12/02 – Compact Straight V-Tool (Sweep #12) – for crisp V-cuts and fine lines
• C7 – Small Detail Wood Carving Knife – for dialing in facial details
• Handsaw – for cutting the block to size
• Printed reference patterns – for the front and side views to keep proportions right

Each of these tools plays its own part in the process, and together they'll help you turn a simple block of basswood into a graceful portrait.

Step-by-Step Carving Guide

Step 1: Pattern Up and Block Out

Start by attaching printed reference patterns to the front and side of your block. These guides keep your proportions accurate from the very first cut. Once secured, use a handsaw to trim your block to match the pattern size, staying just outside the lines. You'll refine the shape with carving tools later.

Step 2: Rough Out the General Form

Begin removing excess wood to block in the head, neck, and shoulders. This is your chance to make big, bold cuts — focus on overall shapes, not details.

Step 3: Refine the Profile and Ensure Symmetry

With the main mass in place, start refining the profile from all angles. Symmetry is key, especially for the face and shoulders. Step back frequently and check your work from different viewpoints to keep things balanced.

Step 4: Dial In the Head

Round out the skull, then block in the jawline, cheeks, and chin. Work slowly to get smooth transitions and correct proportions. This step lays the foundation for a natural-looking face.

Step 5: Bring the Face to Life

Carve the eye sockets first, then move to the nose, lips, and chin. Work both sides evenly, checking symmetry constantly — even a tiny tilt can change the entire expression. Patience pays off here.

Step 6: Refine the Neck and Upper Chest

Shape the collarbones and smooth the neck's transition into the shoulders. Keep the cuts light and flowing to create a natural, anatomical look.

Step 7: Carve the Hair

First, block in the hair as a single shape. Then, use your V-tool and gouges to add flow and texture. Keep it loose and natural — hair shouldn't look stiff or overly perfect.

Step 8: Gentle Sanding

Lightly sand your carving to remove rough edges. Don't overdo it — you want to keep those tool marks where they add character and texture.

The Finished Bust

And there it is — your graceful female bust is complete. You've just shaped wood into a lifelike sculpture with expression, symmetry, and flow. This piece can sit proudly on a desk, shelf, or workshop display as a reminder of the skills you've gained and the patience you put into it.

This project is one of the best ways to practice carving realistic human forms, and the lessons you learn here will carry over into every figure you carve in the future.

Author:

Wood carving guru


From a childhood enchanted by nature, my passion for wood carving guided me on a path of creativity. With a pocket knife, I uncovered the transformative power of my hands, breathing life into driftwood and forging a lifelong connection with the medium.