I have been working to improve my turnings in design and proportion. Bowls have not been too much of a problem.  
 

 

 

However, other turnings seem to lack the visual appeal I see in other’s work. These tiny vases are intended just as practice to get a feel for what looks right. 
 

 

the one on the right, setting on the ways, didn’t survive. Too thin at the neck and broke while finishing off the bottom. 
 

 

 

None of them look like what I envisioned as far as graceful lines and pleasing proportions. Suggestions for improvements are most welcome. 
 

TIA

I like the two outside ones best. the neck on the center seems to stretched out. On the first might try more of a light bulb style? I get so many ideas in handling the turning clubs Facebook page "Magnolia Woodturners". Problem is when I get to the lathe cannot remember what it was so I started doing screenshots of what I like and keep in a future project folder.

Thanks @Gerald, I spend way too much time searching the Facebook turning pages. I should do the screenshot idea. 
 

The left turning is the result of 3 problems. A crack at the neck when connecting to the jam chuck. A catch when finishing off the bottom which cracked the neck again. All of the repairs did shorten the lower curve. 
 

I appreciate your critique and suggestions 

10 hours ago, Gerald said:

the neck on the center seems to stretched out

And that's my favorite one!

Just goes to show ya Lew, in the eyes of the beholder. But I've always liked slender necks in the female human, long and graceful, so there is that

I had not thought about it before now, but I would think wood selection should have much to do with how a shape or form is viewed, is there a shade of wood that is more forgiving to the eye, that would look more pleasing with certain forms, than other shades?

For example, I dunno, the vase on the left for me would look very attractive if it was turned from Walnut, or some other dark lumber species. Just throwing that out there.

Nicely done Lew.  Most turnings are a joy to look at for me.  I just like the curves produced.

1 hour ago, John Morris said:

And that's my favorite one!

Just goes to show ya Lew, in the eyes of the beholder. But I've always liked slender necks in the female human, long and graceful, so there is that

I had not thought about it before now, but I would think wood selection should have much to do with how a shape or form is viewed, is there a shade of wood that is more forgiving to the eye, that would look more pleasing with certain forms, than other shades?

For example, I dunno, the vase on the left for me would look very attractive if it was turned from Walnut, or some other dark lumber species. Just throwing that out there.

That is an interesting consideration, John. I never thought of that. I have some walnut and will see how that looks.

11 minutes ago, HandyDan said:

Nicely done Lew.  Most turnings are a joy to look at for me.  I just like the curves produced.

Thanks, Dan! Me, too. I really like seeing the finials Cindy Drozda creates. Graceful curves.

Someone on AAW forum did miniatures of various shapes and painted them black to ascertain the most pleasing form. I suppose the black takes all grain out of consideration and more fairly evaluates the form.  

4 minutes ago, Gerald said:

Someone on AAW forum did miniatures of various shapes and painted them black to ascertain the most pleasing form. I suppose the black takes all grain out of consideration and more fairly evaluates the form.  

That's the same philosophy chair makers have, specifically Windsor makers, the wood can take away from the design of the Windsor and they are and were more often than not, painted.

I've been pondering this since first reading last night. I'm certainly no expert on this subject nor did I sleep in a Holiday Inn last night. That said,

• Like John, I think the wood species more times than not might influence the final shape/ design...
• Perhaps try using a embellishment technique e.g. a burn line or two or ??? Nothing excessive, something simple...
• Last, comparing oneself to what others do is a slippery slope IMO. While I've never turned anything except for a few knobs "chucked" up in a drill, free form turning like bowls, vases, ornaments, even finials are unique to the creative mind of the turner along with the wood on the lathe at the time.
• Turning is like carving, where does this wood take me versus where do I take this week; otherwise you're just replicating something else not that is a bad thing, just not necessarily creative.

So with this rambling, you can add $10, get a small SB or more preferable, a dozen Krispy-Kremes.

 

@Grandpadave52  Thank you! Listening to the wood and allowing it to dictate the final results is great advice.

I think you've had the design/shape thing down for sometime. My personal like is the one on the left but all three could find a place in our home.

 

On 4/13/2024 at 5:27 AM, Steve Krumanaker said:

I think you've had the design/shape thing down for sometime. My personal like is the one on the left but all three could find a place in our home.

 

Thank you , @Steve Krumanaker. 

Thank you all for the comments and ideas! I really appreciate it.

 

Of course now Mimi says "can you make them so I can put water in them?" My hollowing is pretty much limited to about 3"- unless I buy more tools ! But I think for now I might try to adapt these

 

 

Again, thanks for all of the input!

 

1 hour ago, lew said:

Of course now Mimi says "can you make them so I can put water in them?"

 

Take a look at plant propagation tubes.  They come in different sizes and are still within the diameters that Forstner bits would cover.

@HandyDan Thanks for the idea!!