Keeping Your Carving Symmetrical

Keeping a carving symmetrical can be a challenge, but the right tool can help. Dividers can insure the eyes are the same width, ears are the same length, distances between features are accurate, you get the idea. The average face is five eyes wide. So if you have the width of your eye, you can figure the width of the face. Also the eyes are one eye width apart. The distance from the bottom of the chin to the bottom of the nose is the same distance from the bottom of the nose to the brow, and from the brow to the top of the face. Face, not the top of the head. Now you have the length of the face. Again these rules are an average, and can vary from person to person.

So a set of dividers are a good tool to have in your carving box. If you don't have or don't want to purchase a set, here is a tip I picked up a few years back at a seminar with Gerald Copeland. These are pretty simple, two modified paint sticks from your local home improvement store attached with a screw and wing nut.

And a couple good sets..............................