Documenting a project

[mwilleson]

I'm in the thinking stages of my next project and am considering documenting the process from start to finish.

Not sure what I'm hoping to accomplish, but I thought it might be interesting to document sketches (read: stick figures), a clay model (never done clay before, this will be interesting), preparing the pattern, roughing out the blank, the carving all down through the details, and for the first time ever tracking time spent. Maybe I'm hoping this will lead to some "extra" learning.

I'm a bit intimited at the thought so I'd be interested in anyones thoughts or suggests for such an undertaking. Is it worth it? How to proceed? etc....

[Anthony Filetti]

Mike,
Actually documenting is a good thing. I have kept at the minimum a photgraph of each carving I've done and the stages they went through. I've also kept the drawings for each original piece I've done. As I progress (some woulod say I'm regressing) and learn more it's good to look back at a method that might have worked for me in the past.

[Thor]

The current issue of WCI has an excellent example of how in depth the documentation process can be with Bob's ship model building project.
The documentation that I do for my historically influenced work makes it more interesting for me and gives me a lot more to tell about a piece that involved symbolism.
I think documentation for any reason will be a benefit either for folks enjoying it in the future, or you learning more for self-evaluation on the hind site view.
Please keep us informed. The process is an excellent teaching method as well.
Thor

[rick-in-seattle]

The best advice I can give is; set up a photo table and learn how to take great pictures.

[Coffeeman]

Mike,

Want a great start, click on Ricks hobo site ( found in the above posting) and check out his great carving documentary of his latest hobo. You'll enjoy it and really learn more about what your going to undertake. Good luck with your project.

[squbrigg]

Practice! That's the best advice I can offer.

It really depends on how well documented you want your project to be and how complicated the background is. You can make notes, and sketches in your planning stages, references to books, photographs, plans and documents. Then notes on your materials, finish, etc. Then a series of step by step photographs of the process. You could also include video footage of the carving process, something that has been under-utilized.

Think of what you consider the end use to be.....what you want to use it for. A hard copy of everything, a digital copy or a combination? Even with hard copy, how do you want to retain it, in 35 mm slides or prints, acid free archive paper, or like a scrap book? Burn a CD or arrange a video? Lots of options.

Bob

[Hugh]

I would recommend documenting your work. After carving a particular bird a few times, and it seems to be coming out ok I will take photos of the process step by step. I keep a folder on my carvings, with my reference material, patterns I've made, etc, all together. When I carve the next one, its all there, makes it easier to remember the mistakes, and the changes you made. It takes a little extra time, but well worth the effort.

[mdallensr]

I've done some of that as well, but I don't want to know how many hours I've put into some of my carvings. I'm better off not knowing.

[Lightningbolt]

In the past and especially before the advent and convenience of digital photography I always tried to get a couple of pictures of my finished work only.

With digital photography my entire perspective on documenting a carving has become not only realistic and affordable, I can also say yes in that documenting the process of carving has given me a much better understanding of what I'm doing.

It's kinda hard to explain but perhaps this comparison will help, especially if you're a pilot. When I was first working on earning my pilot's lisence I was absolutely amazed at how differently I began to look at the geography surrounding my home when "I" was flying over it at different heights and especially the lower heights from 300 to 1,000 feet. It literally changed my entire perspective about "where" I was living in ways that I can't clearly explain but I know that "seeing" the land from above under the controls of my own power have forever changed just who I am AND how I think about just where it is that I call home.

I find it very fulfilling to document my carvings as they progress and I often enjoy looking back at them. It's amazing how something will "click" several years after I've completed a carving and although sometimes I'm not sure exactly how it helped me I know that connections are most definitely being made somewhere in the compexities of my brain which make me a better carver.

So yes, documenting a carving is a VERY worthwhile thing for me.