Just finished seeing my last patient of the evening. Hoping to get home to glaze some bisque ware that I pulled over the week-end. Spent part of the day between patients studying a Bernard Leach vase that I wanted to try to imitate in form. I tried to do it by memory, and it was all wrong. I went back to the original picture and realized that I had been completely "fooled" by the form into thinking that it was wider at the base than at the throat, but in fact, the diameters were essentially the same! The illusion was created by the form gently undulating. Also the undulation is farther up the form than I remembered. The point of all this (besides my memory problems) is that the artistry of form is actually the ability to create a simple illusion even to one who is a somewhat careful observer. The form was "right." I exaggerated the dimensions in my mind's eye.
For years I was sure that I was making a very close copy of the Winchcombe mug that I remembered....one day I took an original into the workshop and realized how far I had strayed!
ReplyDeleteDan,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that happens to you. It is very encouraging!
Always enjoy admiring your pottery!
Joe
I find sketching a pot helps me to really see it. Then I try to translate that into clay with the pot or drawing in front of me for reference. It helps. Is it easy?... Not so much.
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