The Minimal Fox: Step-by-Step Tutorial

An animal figure reduced to its essential forms — body, tail, ears — in the spirit of Scandinavian sculptural toys. The bridge between the abstract forms and the figure, without yet falling into fine detail.

This piece can be carved in high-density rigid polyurethane foam (to practice the form without fear of mistakes) or directly in wood, for the final piece. Recommended wood: beech, basswood, or maple — fine-grained and light, like the Scandinavian animals that inspire this piece.

From the Shop: carving knife, rasp, and fine sandpaper. See tools →

What you'll need

Light hardwood blockFine grain, knot-free, sized to the finished figure.
See in the Shop
Carving knifeFor roughing out the body and legs.
See in the Shop
RaspTo unify the overall volumes.
See in the Shop
Fine sandpaperFor the smooth finish characteristic of this figure.
See in the Shop
Beeswax (wood) or gesso and paint (foam)The final finish depends on the material: wax/sealant if carved in wood, gesso and paint or patina if carved in foam.
See in the Shop

Step by step

Initial block with the outline of the minimal foxphoto coming soon

Initial block

Start with a rectangular block of wood or high-density foam. Draw the front outline of the minimal fox on all four faces of the block, and mark a center line on each.

Cutting the finished front profilephoto coming soon

Cutting the front profile

Remove the excess material following the outline you drew. The piece is still flat, like a cut-out silhouette, but you can already recognize the overall shape.

Stages 3 through 10 are in the Habanaescultura book — currently in the works, with tracing patterns, renders of each piece, and the technical sheet for all 20 projects in the route. In the meantime, this preview shows you how the process starts.

What you'll need

Knife, rasp, and fine sandpaper — the same trio as the rounded-volume abstract form, applied to a figure with character.

See in the Shop

Want to keep going? The complete process for this piece — and the other 19 — will be in the book. While it's finished, pick another tutorial from the route, or write to us to be notified as soon as it's out.