Form And Design Relative To Woodturning And Ceramics

This demonstration will focus on the application of several design elements. Through the comparison of techniques used in the creation of clay objects, a direct correlate with woodturning will be discussed.

Form and design are the most important decisions to make in either ceramics or woodturning. This is a simple statement but one that goes to the heart of the matter when deciding what object will result from our efforts. Whether it is additive, as in segmented work and stacked laminations, or the more common, subtractive, a decision must be made prior to beginning the object’screation as to process.  Use of negative space, exploration of line, and integrating other desired design elements will either make or break the success of an object.

Therefore, our focus will include the following:

  • Texture
  • Positive and negative space
  • Static and dynamic forms
  • Balance and proportion
  • Decoration and finish
  • Form following function
  • Symmetry and asymmetry
  • Design, as it relates to form
  • Mental libraries of forms
  • and others

As John Sloan says, “We learn form not from the eye, but from our sense of touch.” Additionally, Liz and Michael O’Donnell said, “…to appreciate form fully we need to explore it through touch as well as sight,

feeling its contours and experiencing the different textures with our fingertips. And finally, Richard Raffan said, “After the colors have faded and the grain patterns have become obscure, only the form of a bowl will ensure its survival as a desirable object.”

I invite you to come to be a part of the discussion as we compare techniques, explore our differences, and find our similarities.

Slice and dice...

Roy Odom