Critiques on first Bowl

Re: Critiques on first Bowl

Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA

>Hi Mark

You are off to a good start. The piece has a good finish to it, and natural edges are tough on experienced turners. To start out with one is realy stertching it, and you did well.

One thing to think of when turning a bowl is curves. Angles and flat spots have their places, but bowls look a lot better when they have more of a curve to them. The shape you have here is typical of a beginner's bowl, regardless of who that beginner is. In my experience teaching, what happens is a person gets the bottom flat and smooth, then moves on to the side getting it flat and smooth, and then goes on to hollow it out. The excitement of getting a piece done, plus the fun of shavings flying obscures the attention to form.

Don't get me wrong. There is a place for angles and flat spots on turnings, but for bowls, especially natural edged ones, a nice curve with a narrower bottom will really accentuate the natural curve of the top. As an exercise, turn some eggs between centers, and you will start to see what I mean. As you become proficient at the egg shape, you will begin to develop your turning skills as well as your eye for form.

Bill

Re: Critiques on first Bowl

Mike Schwing from Md.

>I don't think I could add anything of additional value to Bill's comments, but I wanted to say "nice job" and welcome to the new obsession. As you turn more pieces you will answer many of your own questions and you'll find that your hands naturally make shapes that you couldn't possibly create right now.

I wouldn't critique your first try too much but instead praise your ability to keep it together and wind up with a finished bowl. Most of my new ones exploded. Make sure you keep this one!

Re: Critiques on first Bowl

Bill Howatt

>Wow, that's your first bowl! Very nice. I'll second what Bill Grumbine has said about curves. As spectacular as the top and sides are in your piece you'll notice perhaps that your eye is pulled to the angular shapes at the bottom of the piece and this isn't where the real beauty of the work lies.

I don't know about any structural difficulties with the wood but 1/2" wall thickness is a bit thick IMO for a piece that is decorative rather than functional. However, I certainly know the fear when you have something that looks good and you reach the stage where the next cut might be the one that turns it into firewood.

Regardless, it is far superior to my first, well maybe first 5 dozen, pieces. Congratulations.

Bill

Thanks Bill

n2wood

>Thanks Bill for the sugestion on turning eggs. Sounds like a great idea and something that I will try.

Re: Critiques on first Bowl

John Trant (aka Boxes-n-Bowls)

>I agree with Bill and Bill (in that order). 8^)

Keep the "Rule of Thirds" in mind to help with a few design points. This is also known as the "Golden Rule". For example, make the base 1/3 the diameter of the rim. Make the height 1/3 the diameter for a bowl or the height 3 time the diameter for a hollow form or a goblet. Place elements (bands, rings, marked transitions, etc) so that it divides your vessel into 1/3 : 2/3. This rule works with any composition (drawings, photos, etc)

For skill enhancement, practice smooth sweeping curves and consistent wall thickness. Wall thickness will be dictated by the style of the vessel but too thin is artisticly more forgiving than too thick.

After you are proficient with the execution of these basic "rules", you will be very good at making quality vessels that look like the vessels of any other reasonably skilled turner (or potter or glassworker for the last 2000 years, for that matter). You may be comfortable right there but at least you will be properly equipped to start stretching these rules to find your own voice.

One other point. Make sure you save your first vessels. They serve as an excellent example of how quickly your eye, skills, and designs will grow over the next year. Keep up the good work and we look forward to seeing you next effort.

John

Re: Critiques on first Bowl

David Eaves

>Hi there,

Thanks for posting, and I agree with what the others have said. I'm still on the evolution curve with my bowls too. Looks like your off to a great start. The addiction will be taking hold now :o). Make sure you keep it, you inspired me to look at my first bowl tonight to see the "progress" oh and the house is littered with the others. My next bowl will be my 23rd :o)

Keep us updated

David

correction

John Trant (aka Boxes-n-Bowls)

>Previously, I wrote:

Keep the "Rule of Thirds" in mind to help with a few design points ... For example, make the base 1/3 the diameter of the rim. Make the height 1/3 the diameter for a bowl or the height 1.7 times (about a third more than) the diameter for a hollow form or a water goblet. Long stem goblets that are 3 times the diameter of the goble look good.

My corrections are bold. Sorry for the improper info. I need to remember to press the "think button" before before the "post button". Of course, these are my opinions and there are bunches of example out there that successfully contradict these "rules".

John