Tired of copying patterns

[Bogman38]

I am tired of copying patterns from other carvers. I am interested in creating my own pattern via clay. I am not sure how to transfer the clay image to a pattern on paper. Does any one know how to create an original pattern? If so please post how you went about doing it. Thanks! I look forward to using this forum to find out more about carving.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

If you want to use clay then once you get the figure modeled to the form you want just position it in front of a paper tablet, shine a flashlight on it and trace the shadow.

[Riverman]

Hi Bogman, welcome to the group!
Bob

[doris]

an another idea : you can take pictures from the claymodel, and print the pictures to the desired size, and then simply trace the outlines... it has the same disadvatage like lynns method, namely that it slightly distorts the image, but in most cases it works really well... a more accurate method, if needed, is described on our blog here Eagle Fiebig and Yundt Woodcarving

[Jim50KY]

The best way that I have found to "tranfer" my clay sculpts to paper is with GRAPH paper. Grapapper allows one to keep the proportions and unlike a light will not distort. Then on the other hand maybe a "distortion" may be advantageous.
I usually go the opposite direction, drawing to clay then back to clay and then to wood. That way I have seent the "thought" in three forms and subsequent adjustments can be made.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Never mind!!

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

welcome to the forum.

Dave

[Old_Gord]

Originally Posted by Bogman38

I am tired of copying patterns from other carvers. I am interested in creating my own pattern via clay. I am not sure how to transfer the clay image to a pattern on paper. Does any one know how to create an original pattern? If so please post how you went about doing it. Thanks! I look forward to using this forum to find out more about carving.

Well one way to transfer your clay model measurements directly to your wood (no paper pattern used) would be to use an ancient sculptor's system, called the pointing system. A machinists surface gauge could be used to transfer measured points from your clay model to your piece of wood.
This system has been mentioned here some time ago.

OG