Learning burning!

[squbrigg]

Hi folks,

Well, I'm off onto another step in the learning curve of woodburning. I ordered and recieved a couple of new pens that I had to try today, thanks to the tips in our latest issue of WCI! I'm going to have to watch myself with all of these great articles coming out......the ideas are rolling and I keep trying new things, which means new tools!!! Well, why not, you only live once!!!

I would appreciate your comments of this effort folks, suggestions really, on what's missing. I'm not quite happy with it, (it's a start) but I am not sure why....perhaps I just need more practice. I can't wait to recieve the book on burning that I ordered, perhaps I'll figure out what's missing there?

Bob

[birdcarver7]

hey bob,nice wood burning,i was wondering what kind of wood burning unit you used,it cant be a colewood?but i hope it is,thats what i use for my decoys,regards,milford.really nice work.

[wade clark]

Very nice! It sure doesn't look like it's missing anything to me! You could always add a bird or two and clouds, but it doesn't need it at all! Is it a cigar box, or a box you built? I've carved pegasus on a cigar box, and a lion on another; it's amazing how much depth you can create in 1/8" of wood!
Wade

[Irish]

Bob,

I hope that I have read your post correctly - that you are inviting a critic?

You have a great use of light, medium, and dark tones. The ship clearly sits in the water, it isn't resting on top but clearly lies within the water area. Now, getting an object to actual sit where it's suppost to sit is no easy task. Great work in this area! The work is very accurate in that I know the ship "works", there is no area of the ship that my eye goes to because I am visually confused. Great scene!

If it were me and I was doing a second burning worked from the first there are a couple of changes I would make. This does not imply that what you have already done isn't fantastic ... because anyone can look at this work and see that it simply is great!

One, because you are doing a ship, a moving object, you may want to add visual space into which that object can move. Take that same beautiful ship and move it to your left, off center! That gives more water room on the right into which the ship can sail ... that space implies the ship is moving and will eventually sail of the edge of the box. A carefully centered picture of a ship implies that it is at anchor in the harbor ( a staged portrati ). An off center ship, depending on it's direction, implies a ship in motion.

Two, now add some very soft toned clouds and birds into that blank space above the right side movement area. That carries some of the wood burning up into the top two thirds of the scene, an area that is blank now. Let just a little bit of cloud go behind the front of the ship to unite these two elements.

Three, Look at the photo from which you were working. Look carefully at the water/sky horizon line. The water closest to you is darker then the water at that horizon line. And, most likely you can just barely see the difference in tone from the water and the sky. The farther away something is from you the paler it becomes. So lose that real dark horizon line!

OK ... here's your burning with just a very little touch of adjusting the positions. See how moving the ship and softening the water line, then adding a few clouds just makes that wonderful ship of your jump off the box.

Susan

[Irish]

Oh, one more thing ... Just one more thing you might want to do before you call this one done.

SIGN IT! It deserved the artist's name added somewhere on the box lid.

Susan

[squbrigg]

Thank you Susan.....that is exactly what I was looking for! A good critique. I like the ideas and will see what I can do about incorporating them. The sky does need something and I like your suggestion about movement and direction. That is a good idea too about signing and dating it.......intended as a practice piece, but you never know. The box is just a cheap unfinished pine and plywood piece I picked up at a local building supply store.....made in China, no doubt using wood products from North America. It's looking up though.

Thanks again for the suggestions Susan, I value your opinion.

Bob

[Baldy]

Hi Bob and Susan:

You have just made one of the finest posts I have seen in a long time. I read the posts every day made by all of the regulars and the newbys who want information. This question and the critique were priceless. This is the kind of thread that we all learn and benefit from and is the reason many of us sign on every day. Susan you did a great critique!!

Dick

[Fishgap]

Well I must say that I think this burning is incredible.

This is only your 3rd or 4th woodburning scene if I am not mistaken?

And you chose a subject that you are passionate about.

That is the best thing you could have done. You know the subject intimately and that is a huge help. As for the background sky, I see the clouds they are there in the grain.

I just would like to say that there is no right or wrong in artwork. It is your journey and only for others to see and enjoy.

And I love what I see Cola.

Alfie

[squbrigg]

Thank you Alfie.... your remarks are high praise to me indeed! I have tremendous respect for your work, you are able to capture the spirit of the animals you portray and your traditional work is inspiring. Between you and Susan, no disrespect to the others, but your work sets a standard in burning that is a benchmark for me to strive towards. You both are very gifted artists and very generous, in taking time to help folks like myself who want to improve and learn from you.

You're right, it's the 3rd, and I am enjoying every one I do more and more. No surface in the house is going to be safe from my Razortips from now on!Bouncing S The burnings make a welcome change in methods, and a marvelous addition to my palette of skills that I can call on for my work now. The possibilities are endless.

All the best Cola, thank you.

Bob