Carving Flowing Hair and Mastering Negative Space
Her hair sweeps and twists, cascading over shoulders and curling into open spaces that give the figure movement and life. As you carve, the curves and hollows guide your hand, teaching you how to balance solid form with flowing lines. Each cut shapes not just the wood, but the sense of rhythm, depth, and presence that makes the ladybust feel alive.
This project is more than just a pretty sculpture. You'll practice shaping organic curves, carving graceful strands of hair, and even cutting through the piece to create open space that makes the whole thing pop. Negative space is one of the most powerful tools you can use to bring depth and drama to your work — and this tutorial will show you exactly how to use it.
Ready to give your carving some motion and life? Let's get started.
What You'll Need
- Basswood block: About 4 x 4 x 10 inches (or 100 x 100 x 250 mm). Smooth, light, and easy to carve.
- C4M – Sloyd Whittling Knife: For rough shaping.
- Big shallow gouge: For scooping out broad curves.
- K8/08 compact gouge: For following the flow of the hair and refining swoops.
- C8 – Small Cutting Detail Knife: For precise facial details.
- P1/03 – Palm-Handled Straight Carving Chisel (Sweep #1): For tight corners and delicate shaping.
- P12/02 – Palm-Handled Wood Carving V-Tool (Sweep #12): For carving texture and clean hair strands.
- Clamp: To hold your work securely.
- Handsaw: To cut the block to size.
- Wood glue: For attaching your pattern.
- Fine grit sandpaper: For finishing.
- Printed pattern and pencil: To mark key landmarks as you carve.
Step-by-Step Carving Guide
Step 1: Pattern Up and Prep the Block
Glue the printed pattern onto all four sides of the block. This is your road map and keeps your proportions accurate while you work. Press it down smoothly and let it dry. Secure the block in a vise and saw it down to project size. If you cut off the front side, reattach the pattern — you'll need it later.
Step 2: Rough Out the Head and Face
Clamp the piece and start shaping the head and face area. Use gouges to remove big chunks of wood first, then refine with smaller tools as you approach your lines. Leave enough wood for those elegant curves and flowing hair later.
Step 3: Detail the Face
Once the basic head shape is there, sketch in the facial landmarks with a pencil — eyes, nose, lips, and brows. Then carve the features slowly, keeping everything balanced and symmetrical. The face sets the mood for the entire piece, so take your time here.
Step 4: Rough Out Neck, Shoulders, and Hair
Work your way down, shaping the neck, shoulders, and hair design. Follow the flow of the original pattern, making sure the hair feels like it's really moving. This stage is about rhythm and movement — keep checking the piece from all angles as you go.
Step 5: Carve Negative Space and Hair Curves
Now for the dramatic part — carving through the wood to create negative space. Carefully open up the main hole where the hair loops and refine the curves around it. This is what gives your sculpture its visual depth and that "wow" factor.
Step 6: Add Hair Texture
Switch to the V tool and carve flowing hair strands. Vary the depth and direction to keep it natural and dynamic. These lines catch the light and really sell the illusion of movement.
Step 7: Gentle Sanding
Give everything a light sanding to remove fuzz and sharp edges. Don't overdo it — you want smooth forms but still keep some of those nice, crisp carving lines.
Bringing Flow and Form to Life
This graceful bust, with its flowing hair and striking use of negative space, offers a great opportunity to practice smooth curves, motion, and dynamic design all in one.
Give the project a try and see how the interplay of form and space brings your carving to life. Each piece you create will sharpen your skills and inspire your next carving adventure.
Author:
Roman Law
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.