The forms become more definite as we pass from cube to cube, and the face emerges by degrees.

The limit of the contours is marked off by parallel lines cut vertically from top to bottom.

The angles were next cut away and smoothed down, so as to bring out the forms.

Gradually the features become disengaged from the block, the eye looks out, the nose gains refinement, the mouth is developed.

When the last cube is reached, there remains nothing to finish save the details of the head-dress and the basilisk on the brow.