I cannot, and do not sketch. I have been told by a knowing friend,
that I do not think in third dimension. That just may be true. I came
later on in life to creating with metals and stone. I did knit and
crochet, usually from a pattern, ditto sewing. When I came to do
needlework and embroidery, I let myself free flow, and loved it far
more. I created a hanging, strong colors, curving lines, and used a
different stitch within each color. I love it today.
Long lead in to metals, I prefer using fire and water to create
shapes, some immediately lead me to the next step, others I keep on
hand and switch to stones, Even there I do not like calibrated
anything, so when I see a certain shaped stone, I go through my
silver and design from there.
This can and does lead to problems where I do not have a flat
surface onto which to solder a bezel. I work around that as best I
can. I love to reticulate, and good luck having a flat surface there,
corrugation is another.
My instructor, whom I love and respect, is always asking me for a
sketch. So hard for me to do. Yes I do frustrate him. The other
teacher referred to some of my work as “turds,” and wanted me to do
plain and simple. That is not me. I really listen to the metal and
the stones. I have been curvy my entire life, I do not see straight,
shiny, calibrated.
Had I started in an art program, perhaps I would see things
differently now. I did not. Traditionally, classically, trained
persons may well disagree. That is what they were taught and know.
For me, I welcome change, at times that works, and at times, back to
the crucible, and a do over.
Hugs,
Terrie