[Woodcarver] Carving Buildings

[andrew10 at zoominternet.net]

 Dear Ivan and Everyone Else:
   Thank you for  your help. Unfortunately between work and school I
don't always get to my emails right away   when I find some time I
will work on getting some good picture of the buildings abnd try to
find time to start carving. 
                                               Thanks again
                                                 Andy
 On Thu 11/05/09  4:49 PM , "Ivan Whillock" carve at whillock.com sent:
     Andrew:   1. Get a good photo of your subject. The first task 
is to understand the material in the photo, particularly the
perspective.   You can't carve what you can't "see." 2. If the
façade is parallel to you, the lines  would follow one-point
perspective.  If one corner is closer to you, then  the lines would
follow two-point perspective.  Study up on two-point  perspective so
that you can see in the photo where the vanishing points are:  I.e.,
where the converging lines meet. 
http://www.alifetimeofcolor.com/main.taf?p=2%2C1%2C1%2C15 3. Actually
get a ruler and extend the lines on the  photo so you see where they
converge and how the foreshortening  works. 4.  Unlike a human or an
animal, most of a  building can be drawn with a ruler, the lines
dictated by the science of  perspective.  With a knowledge of
perspective, a straight edge, and careful  measurements, you can draw
any building you see.  It's simply a mechanical  process. Your only
barrier would be your own impatience. 5. In doing your drawing, pick
out the most  important elements to emphasize; downplay or simplify
the small details--you  don't need to carve every brick or every
shingle, etc.. 6.  With the knowledge that you can  redraw any part
of the pattern with a pencil and a straight edge, you can now  feel
free to cut away the wood without fearing that you will lose your 
pattern.  That is important, because in order to vary the levels, you
 will need to remove portions of the wood (any any drawing on  it). 7.
Remove the background first, and  then carve in the levels, taking
from the photo the information you need on  what is the highest
point, what is the lowest point, and what are the  levels in between.
Of course the levels will be compressed because it is a  relief and
not a carving in the round, but the levels will be in the same 
relationship to each other as they are in the round.  Pay particular 
attention to the corners and the angle of the planes off the corners. 
The  illusion of depth is enhanced when you keep the corners sharp and
clean and the  planes on either side of the corner consistent. 8. Once
you have the levels, relocate  your vanishing points and draw in the
detail, remembering that it is not  necessary to include every minute
detail, every brick and  shingle.  9. Take your sweet time and enjoy
the knowledge you  will gain and, in particular, enjoy the process of
working with your  mind and your hands.   Ivan Whillock Studio
 122 NE 1st  Avenue
 Faribault, MN  55021
 Visit my website at
 http://www.whillock.com
 Visit my Picture  Trail album at
 http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=ivancarve   Kings
of Swing:  http://whillock.com/swing/       From:
andrew10 at zoominternet.net    Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 11:46
AM   To: [Woodcarver]    Subject: Re: [Woodcarver] Congress cuts/ yea
right  chat   
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-------------------------
	Dear Mr. Whillock
          I    am looking for some  advice I recently visited the
basilica at St.    Vincents College  and the grist mill at the
college I would like to make    a relief carving or incised carving 
of the basilica and the grist mill    at the college any advise on
carving buildings .  You can see the    Basilica and the Gristmill at
the St Vincents college website .That's St    Vincent College in
Latrobe Pa If ever get the chance check out the carving in    the
church there and check the confessional the carving there are   
amazing 
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