Learning to make shapes come forward and recede was achieved very well here. 3 widely curved lines were drawn around the top sides of the block, and the areas behind them were cut away to the middle of the block.

  The second step was to cut away the front surfaces of the curves leaving the walls raised and thinned at the top.

  The form is cut layered like a wedding cake, with the widest and heaviest portions at the base.

  This design was one of many other similar challenges--that is, thinly cutting areas away from the inside without breaking the exterior forms.

  The designs' simplicity is somewhat misleading as to the care that had to be taken in its total curvature and openness of form.

  Exciting challenges can really be met by novice sculptors.

  Four diagonal curves across the block scored the beginning of this form. A massive form, it stands with stability although the base is reduced in size.

  The extending shapes vary in thickness with the thinnest form containing an opened view.

  After the forms are established, the "riflers" (top 5 tools)are needed. This begins the next step: stage 1 of finishing.

  The riflers remove the rough cuts of the knife and begin smoothing the contours and planes of the sculpture.