Transition "For critique"

[skeetoids]

Skeetoids is a name I use for most online activity but my real name is Lee.

Is the ball in your piece made from wood also?

Are you quite happy to use acrylic paint on your pieces, I also paint in my spare time but would never think to paint this type of wood.

Your piece along with the recent 'sculpture' piece on these boards has given me much inspiration.

 

[George Foweraker]

Hello Lee.
The ball is made from Beech the same as the base.
I have been using Acrylic paints for a long time without any problems.
Is there a reason you would not use acrylics on wood or is it that you have not tried it.
The paints i use are car spray paints.

Regards george

 

[wizer]

Do you do seal the wood at all before painting George? Or just sand then paint?

 

[George Foweraker]

Hi Tom.
just prime and paint.

Regards George

 

[skeetoids]

I've only used acrylics on canvass (painting) before, i guess what i'm driving at is why paint the wood at all, sort of subverting the wood into a single, coloured shape surely derives it of it's own natural beauty! In other words, the painted sections of your piece could be anything, not even wood, maybe u should embrace your vision by combining your turner art and glass, stone, steel etc. Your red ball would look fantastic if it was a large marble for example, possibly containg light n dark colours. I'll pop back soon with a pic of what i meam.

 

[Bodrighy]

I've only used acrylics on canvass (painting) before, i guess what i'm driving at is why paint the wood at all, sort of subverting the wood into a single, coloured shape surely derives it of it's own natural beauty! In other words, the painted sections of your piece could be anything, not even wood, maybe u should embrace your vision by combining your turner art and glass, stone, steel etc. Your red ball would look fantastic if it was a large marble for example, possibly containg light n dark colours. I'll pop back soon with a pic of what i meam.

That is a whole different can of worms. You are in danger of starting a major argument here. :lol: Should wood always look like wood. is it acceptable to texture, paint, etc etc. A lot of us felt as you seem to but have changed our opinions having seen some of the work by some of the people on here and also people like Binh Po and our own mark Sanger

Different schools of thought, neither wrong nor right. Just different opinions

Pete

 

[skeetoids]

All i'm doing is offering an opinion, without judgement. Perhaps in my nievity as a 'forum newbie' I have neglected to acknowledge the skill, craftmanship and design involved in the fascinating work I see. If i'm making some sort of uk workshop feu pa then I would hope that all it incites is further intelligent, stimulating debate on why we are all here. I love wood, much like the next man, in any shape or form, but the piece was posted for 'crituque' and that is all I attempt to provide.

Kind regrds.

 

[Bodrighy]

No faux pas made at all. It's just an ongoing debate the same as whether woodturning is art or craft. A lot of us on the forum were of the opinion that hiding the wood was somehow wrong but have come to change our minds a we see the incredible work done by other turners. Yo will have to go along way to annoy most of us :lol:

Pete

 

[skeetoids]

Here's what I was referring to earlier:

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[skeetoids]

Bod, I'm so happy to be a part of this forum. I feel most welcome.

So, I feel that it's a good thing that people are even interested in wood. I was shocked and horrified to learn that I colleague of mine who owns a country house simply destroys large oak trees just for firewood!

I'd be even happier if she where to guild them in bronze that treat them that way, lol.

I personally am interested in the relationship between wood and other materials so I prefer to see the wood as wood and rather than painting it, burning etc. to change it to look like something else, then why not use the 'something else'.

Maybe i'll put my turning where my mouth is a make something that I feel represents me rather than trying to learn something that I may not be suitable too.

 

[Paul.J]

Yes Lee i was one of those who thought it sacrilige to paint wood :shock: but i have seen the errors of my ways,thanks mainly to Mark Sanger,George Foweraker,and even JohnnyT,who as only been turning for a short period but as made great strides in the work he produces.
I would not still however paint a nice piece of figured wood that shows the wood to it's full potential.
In my particular case i think i will leave the more artistic side of turning to those who are good at it

 

[George Foweraker]

Hello Lee.
Working with mixed media is something i am very interested in and hope to explore in the future.
Pete is right there is an ongoing argument whether wood should be coloured and textured or left plain.
This is an argument that will never be resolved and is best avoided.
As a new turner you are right to ask questions and make suggestions that is the way to learn.

Regards George

 

[mark sanger]

Hi Lee

It is an ongoing subject within the woodturning world, as to whether wood should be coloured or not.

Yes it has to be said that there are some beautiful grains and colours and this is one of the beauties of wood as a media.

however. Woodturning is the only craft that concerns itself about whether or not to colour wood. All the other creative crafts just make a piece based on an initial idea to express the makers desires and ideas.

That aside. Wood is often used as the base for a piece of work as it is a very workable substrate. It can be bent, cut, shaped, carved, turned, set fire to, sprayed, stained, pyrographed, or have other mixed media stuck to it.

Often plain woods such as sycamore or lime are best used for this but also burrs can be used if a strong texture is wanted.

Have a look at this link. One of my favourite creative turners.


At the end of the day,.you should make what makes you happy. If you like the wood then go with it. If you want to add something then try it on sycamore, beech or lime. That way you can do both without worrying about covering up a beautiful wood.


Look at what Jacques Vesery does with wood. I think you will find it inspirational.

http://www.jacquesvesery.com/Site/Jacques_Vesery.html

 

[George Foweraker]

A wonderful inspirational site for them that have an open mind and are prepared to explore new opportunities.

Regards George

 

[CHJ]

Critique as much as you feel the need skeetoids as far as I'm concerned. many of us have a problem putting into words our inner thought processes.

99% of my output are boring bits and pieces, however watching reasoned discussion on the forum of others output gives me a better appreciation of form and style, even if it is only to reinforce that which I personally don't want to emulate or give house room to.

Every now and then a vision passes before me that provides that Wow factor, trying to understanding why provides me with endless hours of pleasure.

As far as colouring wooden creations is concerned then I'd rather see a bland wood species formed, textured and coloured than burnt, although a spectacularly figured piece of wood worked into something of beauty for all to see still floats my boat better.

 

[George Foweraker]

This is the other side.

 

[monkeybiter]

That's a lot nicer than I had expected, interior surface appeared rougher, and that wall profile is rather attractive [I don't get this wall thickness obsession, but then I'm just beginning.]

 

[mark sanger]

That's a lot nicer than I had expected, interior surface appeared rougher, and that wall profile is rather attractive [I don't get this wall thickness obsession, but then I'm just beginning.]

Mike

the wall thickness issue should only be really looked at

1/ if you are roughing our forms in which case it needs to be equal or as close as to stop cracking during seasoning.

2/Or the other time is if you are turning green wood to finish. Again it has to be equal but also thin to aid the drying process and stop cracking.

3/ In relation to the feel of a piece.

IE if you make a small delicate piece then the weight of this piece needs to reflect this in the weight so the wall thickness will have to be taken down until the weight/design fit.

It is good to get the wall thickness equal and fairly thin once you have obtained the skills of the tools.

But once you have done it and you can repeat it a few times. Let go of it and concentrate on obtaining other skills.

Tool use/skills are important but once these are obtained (should be continued to be refined but not at the exclusion of other skills) such as design/composition etc.

Tools skills should become second nature, without thinking. Otherwise I do not believe we can concentrate on design and the piece evolving if we are concentrating on the tool use alone. In turn the work becomes nothing more than a monotonous process of removing wood.

This is my way of working and I understand that you need to learn good tool skills first. Just don't become a slave to it. Also my way of thinking/working may not suit everyone.

 

[George Foweraker]

Hi Mike.

Thank you for commenting Mark has said it all regards wall thickness.
Thank you Mark.

Regards George

 

[wizer]

I'm not sure about the base on this one George. I think it needs to be a piece of very dark granite rather than wood. But otherwise, I like it and see no problem with the wall thickness.

Another thought is that this piece would need to be displayed somewhere where you could see both sides, such as on a table or in a glass cabinet, rather than on a shelf. That's just a statements, in no way a criticism.