Category Archives: sketch

Finding the Spoon in the Crook

Posted on December 31, 2015 by Dave Fisher

I like making spoons from crooks.  It makes for strong elegant spoons that let the tree be a design partner.  Besides, I like discovering the crooks. When a crook is split, the sinuous ergonomic profile of the spoon is revealed.  … Continue reading →

Posted in cherry, finding wood, green woodworking, sketch, spoons, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Reference Sketching

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Why make a reference sketch?  In order to draw a subject, one is forced to consider it intently.  I find that I’m often surprised, while sketching, by what I hadn’t noticed prior to making the sketch.  In fact, the process … Continue reading →

Posted in patterns, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

The Maine Woods

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Dave Fisher

A little over 150 years ago, Henry David Thoreau visited the Maine woods to learn from nature and the Penobscot tribe, including his Penobscot guide, Joe Polis.  A week and a half ago, I also journeyed to the Maine woods … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, nature, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Start Where You Stand

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Dave Fisher

  Do not wait; the time will never be “just right.”  Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.” — George Herbert, “Jacula … Continue reading →

Posted in quotes and excerpts, sketch, tools | Tagged , | 10 Comments

The Great Adze Shortage of ’15

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Dave Fisher

It seems that it is difficult to acquire a good adze these days.  I’m not looking, but I have been getting emails seeking advice on what to do about it.  These folks wish to carve bowls, and are willing to … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, cartoons, sketch, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 43 Comments

New Walnut Bowl

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Last week, I spent some time along the Niagara River.  I saw the Falls again (I live only three hours away), and they are still thrilling.  But what I noticed more than ever before were the beautiful trees on my walks … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, patterns, sketch, trees, Uncategorized, walnut | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Moth-Inspired Curves

Posted on June 20, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Nature will bear the closest inspection.  She invites us to lay our eye level with the smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.  She has no interstices; every part is full of life. –– Henry David Thoreau, … Continue reading →

Posted in layout, quotes and excerpts, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Chairmaker’s Notebook

Posted on May 30, 2015 by Dave Fisher

Some of my favorite books have beautifully drawn illustrations.  Books by Eric Sloane and Edwin Tunis come immediately to mind.  I can now add another to that list: Chairmaker’s Notebook by Peter Galbert. One difference is that, while Sloane and … Continue reading →

Posted in books, green woodworking, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Devilish Questions

Posted on April 23, 2015 by Dave Fisher

When the flush of a newborn sun fell first on Eden’s green and gold,                         Our father Adam sat under the Tree and scratched with a stick in the … Continue reading →

Posted in quotes and excerpts, sketch, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Bottoms Up

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Dave Fisher

It’s time to think about bottoms.  After all, your bowl is going to spend most of it’s life resting on it, and it is an important design consideration.  You can even add some fun designs.  Folks might even smile when they … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, cherry, layout, proportions, sketch, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , , | 6 Comments