[Colin_Partridge]

Hi Gang,
I was answering Kenny's post on the beginners board and realized that I was curious if any of you are like me. I have to tell you that I have never completed a carving in my life that ended up exactly as I planned it or pictured it before I started. Now I should explain that I have never ever carved anything from a pattern, only the one inside my head. I dont sketch anything on the piece of wood before I start. The carving pattern comes right out of my head I have no idea what I am doing until I start taking wood away. People that watch me carve are amazed that I just start carving and it comes out looking like it does. I dont think that is any great talent you have heard me say it before I just call it artistic licence. So I ask the question are any of you the same as I am, impovise as you go and just let your imagination be your guide. I know that you bird carvers are really picky when it comes to being exact and I can see why because you want your birds to look like the real thing. But for others unless you are doing realistic carvings do you improvise or stick to a pattern. I think it is an interesting subject I will be really keen to see the answers from everyone here.
Colin

[Kenny_S]

I started out carving a dog and wound up with a frog, Well, kind of sort of. I have someting in mind but as I go a long, I change this and that. Maybe I should stick with the original plan and they may come out better. Answer to your question is no. The little bride started her bark carving out with a drawn out picture but changed things as she went. Some of the changes was due to the softness of the bark and cut some areas where she did not want to. I think thatt was what her water falls turn out to be and a couple of suggestions.

Good question Colin. Thanks.

I don't use patterns, but do a rough sketch on my stock to try and keep things demensional, but once I get started that's about all the marks I make. And for the most part my carvings turn out at least close to what I saw in the wood.

[Paul_Guraedy]

I have never had a carving end up as I planned it. This occurs for two reasons: (1) Imagination always outstrips ability combined with the ideosyncracy of the wood being used (2) I invariably change the carving as I proceed. This is rather interesting since I first do a rough sketch of what I intend and then do a clay model as a 'go by'. I am currently carving an angel (tupelo about 10'x6'). Initially drawn standing with wings wrapped around the figure, went into clay standing with open wings, morphed into kneeling with open wings and ended up kneeling, open wings on a mountain top. I will continually make changes as long as there is sufficient wood left to allow it.

I am primarily a bird carver, and do try to stay near realistic. However, I will not let actuality stand in the way of art. If I think the head needs to be larger than that of a real bird; I carve it that way (take a look at a wild turkey in minature, the head ends up ridiculously small if kept to scale).

The angel (above) was requested as a commissioned piece. I, at first, refused noting that I did not do human-type figures. Got to thinking about an angel having wings and decided to go a head with it. However (this is the tie-in with the subject), I consulted with the person wanting the carving, but told him that I would not guarantee it would end up much like the original concept.

For this reason, I do not accept commissions, but, offer first right of refusal. I give them a rough estimate of the price (final based on time and detail) and tell them it will be a carving of the original subject. THis way they can decide if both the carving and price are satisfactory. Since I am basically carving for my own pleasure (and carve slowly) I have not had a problem selling the pieces with which I am willing to part. So far, no one has refused a requested carving in its final (all-be-it different) form.

Paul Guraedy
Alpena, ARkansas

[BobD]

Interesting topic.
It's real food for thought. I still consider myself a beginner (I've read a lot more about carving than I have actually carved) and perhaps it is just my inherant fear of failure, but I've been bound to patterns.
My wife the therapist could probably psychoanalyze me based on that fact, but...I've also found that most of my carvings don't turn out like I intended them to.
I think the other comments about imagination outstripping ability and the limitations of the wood are valid...
Just my thoughts.

Bob

[owlhause]

Like you Colin, I've never used a pattern. All my bark carvings develop as I carve.
On a bass wood piece I do sketch the outline of the design on the block to band saw it out.

I figure if you don't have a set design you'll never make a mistake!

greg

[squbrigg]

Colin my friend, as usual, your questions strike a cord to make us think.

I find I must answer this question in two parts, for the results in two different types of carving are different. When carving the Celtic Designs that I do, the results are exactly as the drawing portrays, and the only variable would be depth and tone.

With the relief carvings that I like to do, nautical scenes, the basic scene is pre-determined but the wood will tell me the final shape, contour and 'mood' of the scene. Technically the ship has to conform to what I envision to begin, but the sea is always changing and various moods will be revealed by the wood.......calm, tranquil, seas, or angry,rough, wave tossed seas. The wood will tell me which it will be.

Good question,

Bob

[mdallensr]

I do mostly literal carvings: realistic animals and architectural details. If I never had or created a pattern, I'd still be staring at my first piece of wood. Nothing helps me to keep carving as much as a plan. I try to keep at least of couple of carvings in progress, and plan a new one before I'm done with the old. If I don't, I'll spend too much time getting started on a new project.

Never! Have tried carving from a pattern a couple times and just doesn't work for me. I will have an idea and look for a piece of wood that matches the idea; or, if I find a particularly interesting piece of wood, I look for an idea to match the wood. Other times I will see something that piques my interest, do a rough sketch, and using it as a rought guideline, go from there. I do keep a large library of carving books on everything from basic whittling to sculpture that I browse through looking for basic ideas or a solution to a particlar problem. The one exception to this book thing is Marv Kaisersatts 'Creating Caraciture Heads.' But, he emphasizes doing you own thing, both from a design standpoint and tools used.

My writings like by carvings, I have no idea what I just said.

[Donna_T]

Well Colin, I don't think it's possible for my carvings to end up exactly the way I originally visualized them. Even when I use a pattern or cut out or roughout, I always change parts of them. I'm not sure why--except that it helps make them 'mine.'

But, I also do that when I am painting, sewing, cooking, mowing the yard, etc. It's boring to follow the pattern exactly and not very creative!

Donna T