I’m reading a cool little British handbook on carving titled Practical Woodcarving and Gilding by William Wheeler and Charles H Hayward.
It’s surprising to me that there is a whole chapter on drawing. I am just a novice at carving and so far I have been working on more traditional, oft-repeated forms. I am interested in how big a role sketching and drawing plays for professional carvers. I haven’t done a lot of drawing myself since college.
Here’s a quote from the book that may generate comment:
“Drawing is the basis of all good craftsmanship. On it depends quality, and without it its true and exalted purpose is missed. Toolsmanship is not enough; neither is drawing and design; rather it is the combination of both which produces the high-end result. This has always been true whatever the craft. It provides that quality which gives pleasure for all time, more particularly if its purpose is functional.” – Hayward, Wheeler
So I guess the general idea is that after you become proficient in basic things that everybody has always done – the Tudor rose, acanthus leaves, shells, fans, volutes, etc., etc., you start sketching things and doing your own sort of carvings?
Replies
English carver Chris Pye also echoes those ideas in his books and web pages. His e-books talk a lot about focus and design. I appreciate his approach, as he also teaches from the perspective of someone doing this for a living, and tries to be expedient and efficient.
Worth a look: http://www.chrispye-woodcarving.com
The older I get, the better I was....
That's a GREAT website. That will keep me busy for a long time. I can't believe that so much FREE content is available there, made available to others for the sheer love of the craft.
I was familiar with his book on lettering from before. Thanks for pointing out that website.
I try to draw as much as possible, both furniture and carving designs. It is great to have a libarary of designs in my sketch books, it's funny how they evolve over time.
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