Thursday 17 January 2013

Susan Constant A Work-in-Progress

I am splitting myself between (a) Drawing the Susan Constant  (b) making a four-poster bed which I started some time ago but stopped for mechanical reasons (my knees and back :0) ) (c) Finishing my novel/thriller, The Othilla Paradigm.

In the real (non-blogoshere) world there have been several remarks that this type of drawing - my Technoart - is not really art. Well in the past I didn't argue, because I normally only drew it for myself and so what other people thought was up to them.  However, now that I'm going public with these ship pictures I accept the criticism, and reply that it probably isn't art! If I wanted to draw the Susan Constant artistically then I would; it would be a simpler and less demanding project. The downside of an artistic drawing is that I would only be adding to the existing corpus of paintings/drawings/photographs of the vessel.

 There is no way that an artist can draw the underwater part of the ship: there are no photographs available. Therefore using the plans, I can construct the whole ship. I can also convert the two dimensional plans into a 'three dimensional' Isometric drawing which  


I can also find out exactly how everything comes together if I draw it from the plans, take for example the masts. I can also share the work of the 16th Century shipwrights - a window on history.


There aren't, I suspect, many artists that can (or can be bothered if they can) to translate 'Sheer Plan' 'Half-body Plans' and understand the 'waterline' layout and then present them as a non-technical drawing that anyone can understand.


At the moment it is a jumble of construction lines, but hopefully you will see the drawing completed soon - it's a very big drawing!

15 comments:

  1. I adore architectural drawings! Their precision is beautiful. Are they art? Well lots of folks would give their eye teeth for some of DaVinci's drawings of airplanes in his notebooks and OMG he might have used a straight edge! Yes, architectural drawing is an art form. If using (mechanical drawing instruments) seems to be a problem, than expressionistic, gestural artists had better not use cameras,or grid systems,or a straight edge, or tracing paper, or perspective charts, or that red film to clarify the values or a mahl stick or any other painting tools. There are many art forms and yours is one of them. On a small scale (haha), I get a kick out of drawing isometric drawings to see how some of my furniture designs fit together. I think they are brilliant. I could have used one with that french easel instead of having to wrestle it together with only my wit. --I'm having an arthroscopy on my knee next week. I'm spending this week with a neuromuscular electrical stimulator. What fun. Wish me luck. If it works, my knee, back and shin bones will be less problematic. Posture is everything. Miss you John. Now carry on. Susan is phenomenal.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, John, I see the nature that drives you to discover with line and hand, words and heart, to be totally belonging to an artist. Not a mechanical output at all. Your work has a sensitivity to it that goes beyond the regular drafting work the idiots are talking about. To me, this is only one part of your artistic output...and still quite brilliant.
    No charge!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well, I don't believe an ordinary artist could do this! It takes a high level of both right and left brain power!
    These are astounding - my brain turns to mush just looking at it! :0)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear John, I personally very much appreciate the way you draw.
    They said this, envious people?
    Since very few would be able to do what you do, it's so easy that it creates envy.
    Your ship will succeed very well, after much study and work, becoming a unique piece of art (like it or not for those watching, thinking... how John, you have skill!).
    I am lucky because what I do and what I can not do, do not keep me from ever fully appreciate what it is worth in the work of others!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What is art? Better not go there John it will do your head in! I’ve lofted a few boats and it is one of the most enjoyable parts of the building process, now people are using computers to generate the moulds and everything else we used to pick up from the lofting. Some of the magic has gone with the use of the computer, but more importantly the understanding and visualisation you get by drawing out the lines that continues into the whole build.

    Wave, Dave

    ReplyDelete
  6. Then color me differently, John, because to me this is art at its finest. The details, the perspective...I've always been envious of this ability to do art in this manner, have always seen the art in bluelines, etc. I think this is fabulous!! And your depth of knowledge is astounding.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have no doubt that it is art. To me not only must the artistic work combine a sense of harmony and beauty with mastery of the medium but should evoke an emotional response in the viewer. Your work does all of these things and you are also kind enough to provide us with a sense of history. Draw on, John, and continue to delight the world with your skill and knowledge!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Not art? NOT ART? Well John, whatever label you or others care to put on it, as far as I'm concerned, your ability to create a three-dimensional isometric drawing that most people would be proud to hang on their wall is truly astounding. Can't wait to see 'Susan Constant' finished.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The jumble of construction lines will soon be another masterpiece, John!! and yes, there is no doubt in my mind that this is "Art"....You are an amazing artist!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you everyone ... rather than answer individually to your kind and supportive comments, I will come to your blogs!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This is art! Absolutely. What everyone says is true - it is a translation of your passion and a transformation of mere plans to an artistic vision. But if you want to make it internationally famous and universally recognizable as art, when you are done with the ship draw a giant arm extending from the bow with the hand holding a single eye ball. That is my advice.

    ReplyDelete
  12. who would say this type of work is not art? Perhaps a dip! Of course it is art! It is gorgeous, demanding art that not too many people can do. This naysayer is full of it! I love what you can show us thus far and I am tuned in to see the next phase.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Well, I heartily disagree with anyone who cannot or will not see the art in your drawings!!! Man oh man, are they missing out on right brain meet left brain genius!

    ReplyDelete
  14. John this is going to be an impressive work of art when it's finished. I am also intrigued by your comment about the 4 poster bed you are working on.....paper or wood?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi John.
    i agree with all above who disagree with those who say that it isn`t ART. It definitely is ART. My God John you can sertainly draw mate. I would like to see you have a go at painting as you suggested to Joan C. I would think that it would be a very exact copy of the subgect but would eventuaily loosen up. Please give it a try. Mind you I can`t see you finding the time mate. All the best John.
    Vic.

    ReplyDelete