I was just wondering

I have seen in other messages that many if not all of you spend a lot of time preparing for a carving project. I was wondering how many of you have had training in art (drawing, painting or design) that has helped you carve and finish your projects. What kind of training have you had (other than finger painting, connect-the-dots, paint-by-numbers, crayon books, etc.)?

[Colin-Partridge]

Absolutly no formal training what so ever. I was the same when I painted wildlife and did taxidermy. I guess some people have a natural talent for art just like anything else. I admire people who are cabinet makers or know their way around computers I am limited in computers and cant put two pieces of wood together. People tell me over and over how creative and talented I am but you know I really dont see it. My art is very crude and one dimentional although I agree there are a lot of people on this board that are so very gifted I only wish I had their talents. I am presently trying to carve a Santa and I probably have more hours into this little seven inch carving than I do into four of my woodspirits and I am not finished carving yet let alone painting it. One of the carvers in my club approached me last week and said that he couldnt visualize the face in any piece of wood yet I see a face as soon as I look at it. Yet his birds are a thing of beauty I take very little time preparing where he spends many hours.
Colin

I can cut most anything by a pattern or drawing.
Cannot draw a straight line.

Yook art in 8 grade over 35 years ago
had no talent
could not draw a thing had to drop class

I carve wood spirits or garve in round or relief
For me working with a piece of wood is 10.000% different from trying to draw a picture or portrait.

I tole painted for about 5 years before I took up carving, which helps when it comes time to paint them. I've taken a few carving seminars that of course have helped too. I've noticed that people who have had sculpting classes in other mediums like clay, usually have nicer carving projects right off the start.

[Callynne]

No training past high school art classes. I've always loved drawing and consider myself a 'crafty' person. I've painted pictures, ceramics, done needlepoint, knitting, sewing, etc. etc. Nothing that prepared me for the surprise of being able to carve. I just got a 'learn to' book and tried, I'm so glad I did!! Callynne

No art training at all. One class in relief carving last summer

Al

[lorax]

I am a struggling art student ( going for a sculpture degree ) I am still pretty early in my education, but it hasn't helped my carving as much as I would have thought. I can see a difference in the design phase of the carving, but getting the outcome to be what I envision is still just as tough. To look at carvers like Bill Judt, or Ian Norbury you have to know that there is a definite preparation/design period, and and the carvings aren't nearly as 'spontaneous' as some of mine tend to be.

[jamesfa]

have no art training whatso ever,but by looking at something i can usually figure out how it was made.so i use mostly patterns that i buy or out of carvingmagazines or books.iwill sometimes change the pattern to suit my purposes or combine two(caricature) patterns to make a new one.

[oldbearx2]

No formal art training at all. Both my dad and grandfather were great carpenters and I learned woodworking skills from them. Learned carving on my own. Always have had a vivid imagination and that helps. I'm actually going to take a carving seminar this spring to see if I can improve.

Machine design & drafting in a tech high school, 3 year art school scholarship, 44 years designing kitchens and baths, certified interior designer, taught perspective drawing. I love to sketch a figure, bandsaw it out, then carve and paint it. What more could you want? Big Al