Thread: carvers gallery

Originally Posted by underfoot

then don't draw, just scribble,
I think the problem is often a fear of drawing,
wood carving/sculpture is a slow process and there is a risk that during that process the piece will lose spontaneity and movement, IMO this is where scribbling is important, it helps you to plan the spontaneity in a piece
get a big piece of paper, (I use newspaper roll ends,) and a big fat soft pencil and scribble away, just make big curves and shapes etc, then crumple it up and do it again, the idea is to get used to making marks on paper and to get over the "preciousness" of the drawing.
try it, it's fun and I've yet to see a sculptors work diminished by drawing



yep, what Artesano said
modeling is a MUST, and plasticine is the stuff to do it with
you can buy 4kg blocks of it, and it's reusable
and to quote Artesano again "you just won't believe the difference"

Underfoot, it was your pics of the reclining figure that shows the sketches in the background that caught my eye...and thanks for the encouragement. The sad part for me is this...I probably have the equivalent of a jr architectural engineering degree with all of the classes I have had in mechanical/architectural drawing. I have a teaching degree that allows me to teach mechanical/technical drawing on a high school/vocational level. I fully understand all of the nuances of projections, perspective, and pretty good ideas about lighting and shading. I am sure that this ease of drawing "straight lines" is what frustrates me when I start drawing curvy ones !!! You are correct in your assessment that the more you draw/scribble, the better it becomes...

And Artesano...I have several blocks of plasticene that I will be working on for one of the projects that I am trying to put on paper now. (btw, you have some wonderful pieces on display in the forum....AND I see some "twist" in Underfoot's pl??Underfeet's?? pieces that I find very interesting.) Some of the carving that I have done and enjoy has been with driftwood pieces. I would be almost impossible to model the driftwood piece in clay to start the subtractive process...hence the dilemma, I need to draw better. Using the clay for modelling practice is great when we use a solid block or glued up pieces, starting with a "freeform" chunk of driftwood offers some very unique possibilities and the thought processes that are required is part of what keeps me scratching my noggin and drives me to get better. I hope to be able to post some pics of a couple of my pieces and a couple that are "in the works" for your assessment.

Both of you...thanks again for the encouragement. I would like to see more of your successes (and failures!!) more later...my tummy is growling....and I hear my tools calling!!!

Latest finished work - "The last dragon"-ash , acrilic paint.The base is ebonized sapele.50sm.high.

Artesano...WOW!! I am going to assume that you have formal training?? Where?? I am still in my infancy....I would love to watch some folks that know what they are doing, actually ply their trade. Have you considered videotaping (time compressed possibly) any of your works??? I would really be interested in seeing the development of some of your work...
Thanks for sharing...absolutely superb!!

mobjack68

Dang Ivan, you've done it again mate, it's just lovely,
each piece you do is even better than the previous
I've never been big on colouring wood but you're slowly bringing me around,
thanks for showing

That is absolutely amazing!!

Stunning Ivan!! Threre's something so........humaniod about your work-in an internal body-parts sort of way. I LOVE it. Well done

NICE WORK!!

Ivan I have asked Underfoot for a little of his talent, but maybe I can ask for some of your talent to rub my way also. if I keep asking maybe in 20 years I might be getting close.

Terry

Thanks all- the feedback I get realy helps me a lot. And means a lot.

mobjack68- no formal training here-sometimes I think I would like to have it , wouldnt have to spend 10 years to learn things somebody could have shown you in six months - on the other hand....

Undy, color was an experiment-and I'm still not sure about the acrilic paint, maybe a red stain would have looked better? What I was sure about , I wanted some unusual finish for this one.What are you working on now, after the steel sculpture?BTW, any suggestions about size? I started thinkig that the 50-60 cm. range is a bit lacking in something

Clare, I had an overdose of SF in the worst possible time of my childhood- hope it will wear out some day

Thank you, artme, schaf, and nz-you' ve got the idea, man

SF= Scarlet Fever Artesano?? Heavy duty, very painful injections every day for a month????!!.......or maybe SF= Science Fiction?? Which ever/what ever=great work as a result.

Fantastic work by everyone. Ive been away from the forum for quite a while but all enthused again, ive had my first carving effort in here before. Just started again on my second. Its already carved but been sitting idle for about 5 years.
Anyway living in a tiny town in the wheatbelt with nooooo shops makes you start lookin for things to do - other than work that is, which i do.
Anyway heres a brag pic of my first ever carving attempt which now has a home with my god-daughters.
Formerly 'The Blonde'

The Blondes pic, i didnt attach it. Just wrote a post, dunno if it went thru or not.
Being 50 is a bugga!!
Anyway this is a pic of my very first attempt at carving anything.
Got a second carved and got all enthused to finish it now after about 5-7 years.
Anyway hi to everyone and you are all a major inspiration to me.
Thank you

Regards
Woodenheart - Formerly 'The Blonde'

nice

the photo was a bit poor hard to see the detail