Patterns?

[gene-messer]

Patterns are only a guide .. not a rule of thumb .. I like patterns .. they serve their purpose for beginners and intermediate alike .. A pattern is only a guide to follow .. not a finished piece .. thats why you can take one pattern and make so many characters out of it .. look at Lynns work .. even though he has a pattern for alot of his characters .. he can create a unlimited amount of figures with only one pattern .. thats when I consider a carver really very good .. he uses his imagination to create from one source ..
Patterns to me are good .. using one certainly doesn't mean a carver isnt original ..
Gene

[pallin]

For whittling and chip carving, I usually draw the pattern on the wood because the designs require some precision in placement. For the reliefs I have carved based on Escher designs, the pattern is especially critical, but nearly every carving includes features that are not part of the original pattern.