Artistic Struggle

[n stephenson]

I will be the first person to admit , I AM NOT ARTISTICALLY INCLINED. I have struggled for years to learn to draw. When I was a kid and, first met Ron Ehlert  , I was VERY intimidated by his artistic talent. Those of you that knew Ron , knew how great his ability was. If he drew a picture it looked just like it should. Me not so much. Ron knew that my ability was very limited. He gave me the best advise ever on this type of art. He would allow me to take a book home with me , and he would pic a design out of the book , and I would try to draw it . Most of them got torn up by Ron , and he would make me do it again until it was passable. He said that the ONLY way to learn 18th century art was to practice 18th century art. C and S scrolls , vines , foliage are the "basics"  . When I first started my C scrolls looked more like gears , than scrolls. After many years of practice I am still not where I would like to be . I still like to use old carvings for the basis of my design , I might alter it some , to make it my own. I would strongly advise anyone that is seriously thinking about building guns  , practice drawing the basics  , C and S scrolls leaves , vines , and foliage. There are some SUPER artistic people right here on the forum. When you look at their best designs , they still use the basics , the real masters , know how to take these elements and incorporate them into their own designs.  Look at Jim Kibler`s carving , he is among the best. He doesn't reinvent the wheel , he uses traditional elements , and arranges them in a manner that is very appealing to the eye.  JMHO  Nate

[Pukka Bundook]

Very good post Nate.

Very good advice.
Ron had it right!   You got a very good start there.  Excellent in fact.
 Besides C and such scrolls, the same goes for drawing animals/trees and such if you are working on an older style with inlays. Look at/draw original style until you get it right.

I only knew Ron in later years, and thought the world of him. Like a second dad, but he wasn't a lot older than me!
Still miss him.

[smart dog]

Hi Nate,
You hit on some important points.  I've quoted my artist friend, Steve Alacandri several times but he bears repeating, "Learn craft first and the art will come".  You must first have the craft skills before you can really express yourself.  It would be awful to have a creative mind and no way to express it.  There is a reason why student artists copy the old masters because artistic talent stems largely (not entirely) from having a library of designs in your brain and then arranging them in different ways to produce your work.  Sometimes you have a truly new design but most often you are working from your mental library. The larger that library, the better and more creative you will be.  Studying and perhaps copying the work of others and original stock decorators and gun makers will grow that library.  However, be choosy because many contemporary and original gun makers are not and were not talented artists despite being excellent craftsmen.

dave

[Majorjoel]

I hate to admit it but I have suffered from "artistic writers block" ever since I started building longrifles!

I do very well with all of the basic architectural elements but I always end up with a nicely figured shootable piece that cries out to me to be further embellished. 

I can easily see why so many folks who may struggle like myself go for the more simple southern rifles but I honestly prefer the Pennsylvania golden age styles.

I have finally figured out that if I want to improve my skills, I must go all the way and do the things I have been afraid to do.  It just takes me forever to get the designs from my head onto the stock.  Even after years of study, collecting, books and more books, I just seem to dwell on things for way too much time.

I guess my mind seeks perfection but my hands can't quite find that harmony. 
 


   

[Mike Brooks]

Probably most of the guns in the 18th century came out of the shop with little to no decoration. If you aren't up to snuff with your decoration in most cases you're better off with out it. Architecture is what makes the gun anyway, that is what HAS to be right, and that isn't always easy either, even with precarve kits.

[Pukka Bundook]

MIke,

Very true.  If you don't have the lines, no amount of embellishment will help!
I think a pre-carved kit makes it harder rather than easier. Many are not Quite right.

[smart dog]

Hi Mike,
You are totally correct.  Good architecture trumps everything but I do believe understanding design gained from examining guns with good architecture helps a builder see what those good elements are so there is a connection to art. Moreover, the gun has to work for the shooter so there is some bioengineering as well.  Mike, you often downplay the decorative qualities of the guns you build.  In my opinion, that is undeserved because I believe you have a design vision for each of the guns I've seen that you make.  It is usually a historical context but you pull it off very well and create a piece of functional and historically correct art even though I know you would roll your eyes at that statement. Even your need to work quickly and efficiently to earn a modern living at the trade is a testament to the authenticity of the art. Each gun is a canvass reflecting the trade requirements of its production and the artistic mind of its creator.  In many ways it is superior in my mind to the perfectly executed, inlayed, and engraved contemporary guns sought after by collectors because it is authentic to its history.  Keep up the good work, Mike.

dave 

[Mike Brooks]

Well thanks, I'm embarrassed now....... Probably won't be able to work today because my head won't fit through the shop door.....