What defines novice, intermediate and expert?

[Ron T]

There have been carvings posted by those calling themselves a novice that I think are very good and belong in the intermediate or advanced carver category.

Some novice carvers have been "carving" for years, but maybe spend very little time, while others have only been at it a year but carve for hours everyday. Of course, the results will vary greatly.

What is the difference?

[JIM QUILICI]

Ron,

I think the terms ...novice and intermediate and expert...pertain to carving contest.....I believe ...the way it was explained to me was....if you never entered a contest before ...then you are a novice ...then after you win ....I believe 2 first places you are then a intermediate ....after you win two 1st places in intermediate you are then a expert....thats how I heard it.....
Jim

[ragiarn]

The New England Wood Carvers Asociation defines these categories for purpose of competition as follows:


NOVICE (N):
A beginning carver who may be a newcomer to competition. Entry can be from a carving class, book, kits or carving blank. If the carver wins a blue ribbon in this class, it is necessary to advance to the Intermediate level.

INTERMEDIATE (I):
A more experienced carver who may have won several awards for their carvings. The carver is able to create carvings with less help. It is acceptable to submit pieces that used kits, purchased blanks, and/or were teacher instructed.

Expert (E):
An experienced carve that is able to create their own carving from layouts and ideas. The use of carving kits, purchased blanks, and teacher instruction is not permitted. This level is for carvers whose work is at the highest skill of the art.

Doc

[Ron T]

Thanks, Jim and Doc.

I guess for purposes on the board they're really not applicable since many members don't enter their works in contests.

[tnartist05]

In Tn.A novice is a carver thats been carving less than 5 yrs or hasnt won the "1st place in the BEST of novice catogory",You can win 1st places in alot of the different catgoies in novice though. Once you have won in the Best of Novice you have to move up to the intemediate and you can stay there till you win best of intermediate and then you move up to open,for the super advanced carvers. Least thats how Ive seen the Tn carvers forms Ive filled out. Course someone like Arnold or Mark A.might know alot more about this than me. Course too,if you feel like it,I guess you could move your self up,which I will do at the next carvers show I attend.

All the novice ribbons I have won,I appreciate but I will move up to the imtemediate class now.Plus if say I have won 1st places in one carvers show,at the next one I attend,if Ive not won best of novice than that new show,I could remain as a novice. The 1st show I attended I was a novice and the next show this year in Hickory NC,while I was ckn in my carving,I was told you need to be in the novice catgory at our show,which I did but like I said,any show I attend from now on,Im moving my self up to intemediate.

Hope this has helped you Ron T.

Forrest

[Ashbys]

Ron,

When I started carving , I was very confused as to the determination of the levels of carving.

The rule of thumb is the winning of the ribbons , in competition.

But because all shows have a certain ammount of bias, not saying they mis judge but the shows do have a level of added merit for members that support the clubs that host.

Moving up in the levels can be forced , by winning best of class novice , intermedate , advanced , open or can be the choice of the carver.

Once the carver enters , a class and wins a place ribbon he can never go down.

I do think judges should have the right to place members into different classes. It is often unfair , for a 5 year carver to compete against a carver of 6 months but if he has never won best of class he can remain in the novice class even if he is a professional


Ash

[doris]

i think these labels are sort of stupid... sorry for the expression, i not mean to offend anybody... but, in all definitions given here, as an example, i would rank as a novice...hmm, i do not feel like a novice, but rather somewhat advanced, even though i carve just 2 1/2 years... see the problem ? i think, if you want make those categories, then judge by what you see the carver carves, forget the strict definitions. trust your instinct, and you will use the right word...

some people say they are novice, since they still feel unsure about their work, despite it is already pretty advanced, their feeling lets say them that, its their honest selfestimation, but we from outside can see they do understimate their own abilities ... and thats our task, to reassure them ...

[RUssL.]

Doris,

I don't think it matters what length of time you have been carving. I was looking at your gallery just yesterday and I thought to myself "Doris' carvings are so advanced and her work so accomplished!".

I don't think you need to be concerned about distinctions (not that you are), your work speaks for itslef.

Russ

[pallin]

I also feel it depends on the carving classification one is entering. I have done reliefs and whittling for 60 years, but would be hard-pressed to do caricatures or woodspirits. Could I be a novice at wildlife carving while an expert at relief?

[doris]

yes, russ, i am not concerned, but only wanted take an example to get my point across... and ... thanks for the flowers, so to say, :-)