Introducing ‘The Apprentice Sketchbook’
For some time I’ve toyed with the idea of putting together something I call the “Apprentice
Sketchbook,” a series of drawing exercises to train the eye and illuminate important
design principles. This is nothing new. Scores of period design books begin with a
charge to study architecture and the classic orders. Most follow with wonderfully
engraved plates giving the budding artisan a library of models to sketch and explore.
Speaking from experience, my design journey underwent a sea change when I picked up
a pencil and began exploring the classic orders at my kitchen table. Suddenly all
those principles of design I’d been reading about started to click. Lessons about
proportions, hierarchy, structure and composition ceased being words and became images
alive in my thoughts. I’d find myself at a traffic light and realize the stonework
in the old library across the street was a book in itself.
Here’s the deal. With each new 2011 issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine I’ll
post a few drawings for you to print out to use as a reference on my blog, which is
named Design
Matters. All are based on classical models gleaned from a period design book.
If you take this up you’ll learn how to draw mouldings, volutes, scrolled brackets
(a form that over time morphed into the cabriole leg) and the classic orders themselves.
As you work through these exercises with pencil and dividers you’ll find your eye
for design changing, your freehand drawing skills improving, and your ability to visualize
your design ideas with more clarity.
One small disclaimer. I take no responsibility for you becoming a design geek. If
this results in traffic citations because you had your head out the car window ogling
a building, or ruffle the security at an art museum because you wanted to sketch the
carving detail on a picture frame. Well, that’s your problem.
Begin your journey with this exercise here.
— George R. Walker, author of the Design Matters column
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