Critique on 1st attempt

[Bodrighy]

I have never really tried this sort of thing before so would value any advice etc. I can see a few things that I will change with the next one but it would be interested to see what you 'experts' think.




Used oddments so woods are:- yew top (originally a 4" finial but catches on matchsticks tend to be disastrous) unknown wood hollow form, beech stand.
8" tall overall, HF 3" dia 1/8" thick, stem is just under 1/4"

finished with sealer & friction polish
Forgive photography, have ordered a tent so hopefully I will be able to get some better images soon

Pete

 

[PowerTool]

Looks nice,Pete.
The base looks excellent;light and delicate,and nice proportions.Like the way the shape matches the top.
To me,it has a Chinese look to the whole piece - the top and base remind me of pagodas,and I think it looks better than beads and coves would have.

Andrew

 

[Richard Findley]

Hi Pete,

Looking good ! That looks like a really ropey bit of timber you've used for the hollow part but it came out well. The only thing I might say is to work on the curve on the bottom of the hollow ball as it looses some of it's flow to my eye but a good job all round :wink:

Richard

 

[Anonymous]

luv the 'lowry' base, pity the top didn't survive :wink:

Have to agree with Richard about the flow but as a first it's a good'un 8)

 

[CHJ]

Excellent bit of concentration shown there Pete to match that lot up, my only comment is as the the others, putting a globe on a pedestal begs for critical perusal of the outer form, the very nature of coming close to the perfect sphere accentuates the difference, even a deliberately squashed globe looks odd if the upper and lower hemispheres don't match.

I personally would chicken out and make them Onion Shape and folks can argue about which variety it is. :lol:

 

[Paul.J]

Well Pete you can have my opionion although it is not an experts opinion :wink:
I have to say that i like it.Not usually my cuppa,but this works.
I think i would have liked to have seen the base a little wider again,and i think it is one of those pieces that would look better to see in the flesh,so to speak.Nice contrasting timbers too
Not very expert but that's me :roll:

 

[TEP]

Hi Pete. Can I say first that this is a very credible first attempt at a hollow form on a pedestal, and the two wood colours go reasonable well together.

These are only my personal dislikes & likes on this type of form, and I'm not setting myself up as a 'expert'.

I don't like ball like forms, I prefer to see some shoulders tapering down a little similar to a apple shape.

Also I think the finial should have been thinner, and taller then it would look lighter. Then the top of the stand should be smaller than the foot, and it would look better without the reversed cone at the foot. What I try for is a tall slim cone shape which flows from the top of the finial, through the hollow form, and down to the foot of the pedestal.

I do like the finish and the attempt, it's a lot, lot, better than I did with some of my firsts. As I have already said a very credible attempt.

 

[Bodrighy]

Thanks guys.

Originally I had intended to have a tall finial but I have yet to perfect the art of long thin finials and it snapped. Personally I think that the centre piece could have been a different shape, either flatter or, as Tep suggests, more of a combined effect. to me it looks too much like three pieces instead of flowing neatly.

I take on board the various suggestions and will have another go. Found it really interesting and good fun

Pete

 

[boysie39]

Pete, I am not too long at the turning game but to me that looks beautiful. I hope you think the same,if you do that is what counts. I have turned a few pieces myself and me and other people who saw them think they are lovely. Except one who is a turner and he thought I should think of an egg when I turn some pieces. WHY, if everybody turns to the same shape where is your satisfactiongoing to come from. Telling everyone that you can turn a piece the same as everyone else. Or is their a set of rules you must stick to. None of the great painters painted the same ,So why should you have to put your piece up for others to pass comment be it good or bad.Maybe it's just me but if I were to be shown turnings by a group of people the piece I would select would be the one that I liked and if its by the best turner so be it if its not its because there maybe something different that I like, the same with paintings by the way .
Do turners have to drive the same cars I wonder? For thoes that sell their pices do yo try to make them all the same or do you change anything. :wink: Regards Boysie. PS I wont have access to a computer for hopefully two years or so ,Love looking at your gallierys this is why my pieces are so good. Slan Leat

 

[Bodrighy]

Thank you Boysie, compliments are always eagerly accepted. :lol:

Personally I think that there is more skill in making things to order or in a batch than making one off items. As far as selling them is conceerned I have found that you have to make what people want. I turned a couple of dozen keyrings for Christmas as people at work wanted a load as stocking fillers. The things that I like, the more artistic stuff, doesn't sell anywhere near as much. The professionals on here make most of their money by doing commissions, teaching, demonstrations etc. Being able to do what you like, when you like, like us amateurs, is a luxury. Enjoy it but don't ignore what the 'experts' say, they know what they are talking about.

Pete

 

[boysie39]

Pete ,Point taken am not trying to rock any boats but find it confusing that everyone seems to have everything the same. That is why I dont post Pics,of my pieces "I dont want anyone copying my work" :lol: plus the fact I dont know how to post. To be honest every morn I check out whats in the gallierys and head off to the shed to Improve on them.
So really I suppose Critque is helpful in a way ,It puts ideas into this thick head. This was a problem with me I had no Idea what shapes could be made on a Lathe and when your man suggested the egg I thought there is more to this than I can see. Do you know I have never seen a Turner working live.All I have to go on are DVDs and books .I contacted the Woodturners Ass. here six months ago and they were to get back to me,not a dicky bird since. Do you think they know something about me? :shock: I'd ask the postman only he dosent stop anymore he throws the post out the window of his van as he passes Hmmm.
Anyway good luck and Hope you all keep healthy Regards Boysie.

 

[TEP]

Hi boysie, if you want to post pics I'm willing to explain it for you, and if you post any of your work I promise not to copy it. :lol: :roll: Only joking!

I suppose there are some rules to achieve the perfect form, a lot have been passed down over the centuries. The 'Golden triangle' Greek columns, and so on, but to my mind beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I know what I like, but 'er indoors doesn't always like what I do. I would be such a boring world if we where all the same.

Yet if someone puts their work up for 'critique' then I'm afraid I think members should say what they actually feel/think about the item. It is not meant to pick on anyone, which to my mind is just as bad as unearned praise. If you wish to comment on the item it should be as honest as you can make it, that way the member who's work it is will benefit, as hopefully will other members as well.

I have been turning for a while now and have had some disastrous results according to the members of some clubs I have been in. Yet I now believe their criticisms helped me move forward with my design techniques. Which once again may not be to every ones taste, but most people don't design on their own. First you start of with a club or forum, then perfect your tool handling with their help/criticism, then move onto design and so on with their help/criticism, until finally hopefully you will then begin to come out with your own style of turning. Or you could stay copying others designs as a lot of us do, again there is nothing wrong with this route.

 

[Bodrighy]

As Tam says, if it is put up for critique then I welcome any comments, positive or negative. Critique on design is obviously going to vary according to taste but I find they alway make me think. As I am never satisfied with anything i do, and probably never will be, it is good to have a second opinion to point out what I can't always see even though I know something ain't right.

I unashamedly copy designs if I like them but also work on the spur of the moment (and to alleviate accidental design changes ) though if it was something special I would ask permission first.

Pete