[AlArchie]

Bob, here's my take on it, for what a gross amatuer's take is worth.......when I make or use a pattern, I first of all use the basic outline for cutting the blank, then trace or draw any details I will use for carving, bearing in mind that once the outline is cut, on a 3-D carving, any further details will need to be sketched in, as the profiles are not very conducive to direct transfer.

On relief carvings, I generally break the whole pattern down into "elememts". I first transfer the whole pattern to the wood, then begin by outlining and removing the rear most material, leaving the more forward elements in sketch. I then take my paper pattern and cut the other layers into the "elements" I want to work with, applying transfers of each as they are needed.

So, here's my suggestion. One set of patterns with the outline and basic features, along with detailed reference photos in the same scale as the basic pattern. All the secondary essential elements can then be drafted from the reference photo/s and transferred to the carving either by hand sketching or by the "element" process I use for reliefs.

Al

[Eddy Smiles]

Perfect sense... and with that in mind I'd say that for all practical purposes keep it simple.... two views with major forms and cuts shown and reference photos. But like everything else there will be the exception where a third and even a fourth view is necessary. I don't see how you can come up with a hard and fast rule. Certainly what you've been doing has been working otherwise you wouldn't have the membership of such knowledgable carvers participating on this forum (present writer excepted).

[brian bailey]

BobD,

I prefer working from photos and freehand sketches over using a ready made pattern.

But, I also realize that some folks need to work from a pattern, so if your project article interests me and has a couple of good photo views, I'm a happy camper.

[Alice in Wonderland]

Hi Bob D
I usually just want good pictures since I do not work with a straight block of wood. good pictures from several sites are enough for me
Thanks for asking
Alice

[mark yundt]

I'd suggest keeping in the details and providing some completed shots.Just using a line pattern it can be ambiguous as to what the lines represent.Concave,convex,,whatever. If all details are there,just use the outside lines to get the profiles for bandsawing,then they can be the refference as to where and how the details fit in and they can be cross checked against a photo. Too much info is never a problem.If most are using someone elses pattern or design,,they need to know all these things.

[Just Carving]

I think Al has the right idea:

One set of patterns with the outline and basic features, along with detailed reference photos in the same scale as the basic pattern. All the secondary essential elements can then be drafted from the reference photo/s and transferred to the carving either by hand sketching or by the "element" process I use for reliefs.

[Joy]

I like lots of details. I can always eliminate anything I don't want. Reference photos are good but often I can't quite "read" the ups, downs, ins, and outs on a photo.

[RussL.]

So your answer would appear to be:
Ask 5 wood carvers for their opinions and you'll get 6 answers! ;-)

...and in keeping with that sentiment, I either use them in great detail or hardly at all...it depends. :-)

Sorry to clear that up for you. ;-)

RussL.