Critiques welcome

Re: Critiques welcome

Mike Schwing from Maryland

>From another new turner.

I like the first one a lot. As I glanced at it from the top first, on down I liked the profile quite a bit, and then it ended kind of abrubtly in a large, flat foot. What I mean is that the foot is a little wide. I keep on reading here from others that the foot should basically be about 1/3 as wide as the diameter of the top for the eye to find it naturally pleasing. Its still quite nice, but it looks like the bowl, to me, should be a couple of inches taller for that profile to end more smoothly. Hope that makes sense.

Your finish looks nice and smooth. How did you finish it? To what grit did you sand? What tools are you using?

Keep them coming.

Re: Critiques welcome *LINK*

John F.

>I do see what you mean, now that its pointed out, thanks for doing that.

As to finish, it was sanded to 320 dry, then 400 and 600 with a mix of blo and mineral spirits, then more finish with 0000 steel wool, then two more coats spaced out by a day or so each.

To see additional views of this piece and the others go to the website below and click on the various jpg files


Different views

Re: Critiques welcome

John F.

>Forgot to mention all the ca glue used on the knots in the piece, duh... :P

A helpful book

Bob Hackett

>One of the best books for developing an eye for form is Richard Raffan`s "Turned bowl Design".I`d give you then ISBN but mine is out on loan right now.

Mike Darlow`s design book is also a good source but not as easy a read as Raffan`s,far more technical and takes in alot more than bowls.

Mainely,Bob

Re: A helpful book

Brian Roberts

>Hi John - I agree with Bob - good books.

I imagine I will get some disagreement, but....I wouldn't get too hung up on the "proper" proportions of foot to rim, etc.. I have seen many beautiful shapes and designs that do not conform to any "standards" - they just look "right".

Look at everything you can! Art galleries, museums, books, forms in nature, etc.. There are no "new" shapes - anything we make is a copy of or combination of past designs. Look at furniture design books to get a feel for how various design elements (beads, coves, convex and concave curves) are combined in turnings, since what looks "right" to many people is heavily influenced by what is traditional.

You will develop a feel for what looks "right" and what looks "clunky" or "top heavy" or just doesn't "flow" right.

I will tell you what my 7th grade shop teacher told me when I resisted (because I didn't want to "copy" anything) using one of his designs for a pair of walnut candlesticks - "just worry about learning to turn - the designing will come later". I believe he was right. I turned a couple dozen projects, copying other designs, and before I realized it was happening, I was adding and changing elements to suit my eye, while kind of adhering loosely to traditional designs.

You are doing fine - learn to turn - have fun - the designing will come.

Brian

Re: Critiques welcome

Mike Schwing from Maryland

>Due to my slow PC I didn't even see the third pic till this morning. I think the third one best. That simply means thats what my eyes find most pleasing, not even a hint as to what others might think (though I doubt anyone would not like that one). Nice continuous flows to the curves, good proportions.

I try to not be constrained by "rules" either but have to admit when I try to stick to, or close to, them my work turns out better.

Keep on turning. A few months from now you'll look back on these nice pieces and think "I can't believe I showed them to anybody".

I was so excited about my first successful natural edged bowl made with the Ellsworth tool I sent him a photo of it! HAHAHAHAHA! He was so gracious in his reply. What a nice guy.

Re: Critiques welcome

Richard Allen

>You are so right about David being a nice guy.

I Agree, But.....

Wally Dickerman at Green Valley, Az.

>John has asked for a critique because he's learning and he knows that there's room for improvement. Good for him. When I'm teaching classes I try to impress upon the students that even funtional bowls can be attractive. We discuss the "rules" of good form, and why they help to produce attractive pieces. Certainly rules can be broken successfully, but the turner should know enough about the "rules" to know why.

John, you have good curves going but they stop too abruptly. By continuing that curve to a smaller foot the appearance would be improved greatly.

Wally

Re: Critiques welcome

Scott Hogsten

>For first bowls your bowls don't look to bad. One thing that you did well is all of your curves appear to be smooth with no flat spots or abrupt transitions. You do need to work on making the foot of your bowls smaller. Making the foot smaller gives the bowl more "lift" off of the table and allows you to make a nice flowing curve inside the bowl. There is a tendency with new turners to try to maximize the size of the bowl out of a piece of wood. I have found this is often the reason for the shape that you have come up with. Continue to experiment, look online at some of the work others are doing, take a good hard look at some pottery type bowl.

Scott Hogsten

Re: I Agree, But.....

Brian Roberts

>Hi Wally - I have seen many very valid critiques given on WC, most of which I agree with, as I do yours, so haven't felt the need to duplicate.

I was thinking back fondly to my roots, trying to offer what has helped me to develop a sense for what looks "right".

Just offering something additional to help with the learning process.

Brian

Re: Critiques welcome

JamieDonaldson

>Some of the best sources for developing the turners "eye for form" are classic pottery books, including Greek,Roman, Oriental, and SW Indian. I made a study and design book, and when I find a form that lools "right" in a catalog or magazine I cut it out and paste into the book. It serves as a wonderful resource when I get "turners block!"

Re: Critiques welcome

Don Orr

>Great work John! Beginner or not. I would like to add my 2cents and echo the excellant commentary and advice you have already received from some seriuosly accomplished turners. In several past postings I have also recommended looking to sources beyond wood, such as pottery, glass, nature. Books, videos, craft fairs, galleries, museums are full of wonderful ideas as is the world around us. Keep trying new things and don't be afraid to "waste" a little wood to get a different shape that you like. However, as most art teachers tell their students-you can't really break the "rules" until you know what they are. We all have to start somewhere and usually it's best to start with the basics and progress from there. No one starts out as an expert.

Ernie Conover once told me that the only way to become a better turner is "practice, practice, practice". You're on your way! You WILL be surprised where you'll be a year from now.

Happy and Safe Turning, Don

P.S.-I like the 3rd one, striped maple, best

Re: Critiques welcome

David Eaves

>Hi there,

I'm a new turner myself, I like your pieces a lot and agree with the comments made by some of the accomplised turners about keeping the curves going longer.

I just got the Richard Raffan book on turned bowl design. I think it is a very useful book. as Bob mentioned. The ISBN number if your interested is 0-918804-82-5

David