Help me design a bowl foot

[Ken Loy]

Can you give me your thoughts on the foot of this bowl? This is some beautiful quilted maple. To my eye, the base doesn't seem to fit well with the bowl, but I can't quite describe why. Perhaps it's too tall, or its shape isn't a continuation of the shape of the bowl. Would appreciate your feedback.

 

[Russ Braun]

Generally being plagued with an anti-foot fetish, I suggest amputation.

 

[Michael Anderson]

I love that you're thinking about design and flow. I agree with Russ in that this bowl might look best without a foot. Given your nice curve, this could be a good round bottom candidate (or maybe just a little penny/nickel-sized dimple). If you want to add a foot, something small (maybe 1/4" tall) and flared could look attractive.

If don't have this, or haven't heard of this, Raffan wrote an incredible book on aesthetic bowl design, The Art of the Turned Bowl. Highly, highly recommended.

 

[hockenbery]

You’ve got a nice bowl so far

Consider giving the illusion of the curve continuing
Maybe pull the curve in a tiny bit as it comes to a minimal height foot
Something like this. Compare the left and right curves.

 

[John K Jordan]

I strongly agree with the responses! The form of the bowl is beautiful by itself. To me, the bottom interrupts and distracts from the form.

Like Michael, I also like that you are considering the overall piece and open to suggestions. Over the years I've seen some that I wished had done the same thing!!

Michael, I thought I had all of Raffan's books - how did I miss this one. Just fixed that omission.

JKJ

 

[Michael Anderson]

Michael, I thought I had all of Raffan's books - how did I miss this one. Just fixed that omission.

It's a good one! Even if for nothing else but the eye candy photos.

 

[Richard Coers]

The cracks in the bowl bother me more than the foot. Do a Google image search on Japanese rice bowls

 

[Bob Hall]

I have been on a beaded foot kick lately. This is 3/16”.

Bob

 

[DuWayne Potter]

Generally being plagued with an anti-foot fetish, I suggest amputation.

I second that. I've tried and failed at getting a decently scaled foot.

 

[hughie]

I have been on a beaded foot kick lately. This is 3/16”.

Bob

View attachment 68713

I generally do that and have the foot match my jaw dia for hollowing

 

[John K Jordan]

Ken.

I've been thinking further about bases and feet (I know, that's dangerous!)

I believe what really matters is what YOU like! But how will you know unless you experiment, look, and feel? One important thing to me is how the piece feels in the hand - does it feel top heavy, balanced, bottom heavy? As someone illustrated, how would the form look without the base? How will the piece look when turned over to reveal the bottom? How stable does it need to be?

Besides asking on a forum, maybe show pieces to a friend or to a turning club meeting and ask for critique. (That can be brutal at times!)

I personally believe it is vital to turn many different designs to discover what you like and don't like. I've experimented with lots different styles and shapes over the years. For things I want to be very stable, I prefer a wide foot. On some I have no foot. Since people almost always turn it over and look at the bottom, I sometimes turn detail within the foot. People seem to like the little surprises on the bottom (and inside a lid).

One thing that almost always helps me is to make a sketch of a form I'm considering, often with several variations. I can usually visualize the piece from the sketch.

After a while I discover some things I personally like a lot and others, not so much! I keep very few but I take pictures of almost everything. When considering a form, I may review old pictures for ideas.

This is a small sample of a few shapes and feet I've generally liked, for one reason or another. Some are large, some quite small.
I won't show pictures of those I've thrown out!



Ha, this reminds me of a story about the worst bowl I ever made. It was so bad I was about to throw in in the fire by the barn when my favorite veterinarian came by to look at a horse. When she exclaimed about the bowl on the ground I asked if she would like to have it, maybe for cat food. My only condition was she promise to NEVER, EVER tell anyone who made it! She promised. Fast forward a few months: I attended a party at their place. When I walked in, I saw the bowl on the table with nuts or candy or something. She said, "Hey everybody, this is John. He's the one who made this bowl!"

JKJ

 

[Tom Gall]

She promised. Fast forward a few months: I attended a party at their place. When I walked in, I saw the bowl on the table with nuts or candy or something. She said, "Hey everybody, this is John. He's the one who made this bowl!"

Ha !!! 😂 So much for anonymity! Still your veterinarian???

 

[John K Jordan]

Ha !!! 😂 So much for anonymity! Still your veterinarian???

Yes! It was more funny than anything. (Most people out there can't tell a good bowl from a terribly ugly one.)

We actually use four vets, depending. I also have a woodturning vet friend but she lives too far away to come for the animals. She does come to visit when possible, and to take home some wood.

 

[Gabriel Hoff]

Ken.

I've been thinking further about bases and feet (I know, that's dangerous!)

I believe what really matters is what YOU like! But how will you know unless you experiment, look, and feel? One important thing to me is how the piece feels in the hand - does it feel top heavy, balanced, bottom heavy? As someone illustrated, how would the form look without the base? How will the piece look when turned over to reveal the bottom? How stable does it need to be?

Besides asking on a forum, maybe show pieces to a friend or to a turning club meeting and ask for critique. (That can be brutal at times!)

I personally believe it is vital to turn many different designs to discover what you like and don't like. I've experimented with lots different styles and shapes over the years. For things I want to be very stable, I prefer a wide foot. On some I have no foot. Since people almost always turn it over and look at the bottom, I sometimes turn detail within the foot. People seem to like the little surprises on the bottom (and inside a lid).

One thing that almost always helps me is to make a sketch of a form I'm considering, often with several variations. I can usually visualize the piece from the sketch.

After a while I discover some things I personally like a lot and others, not so much! I keep very few but I take pictures of almost everything. When considering a form, I may review old pictures for ideas.

This is a small sample of a few shapes and feet I've generally liked, for one reason or another. Some are large, some quite small.
I won't show pictures of those I've thrown out.

View attachment 68721

Ha, this reminds me of a story about the worst bowl I ever made. It was so bad I was about to throw in in the fire by the barn when my favorite veterinarian came by to look at a horse. When she exclaimed about the bowl on the ground I asked if she would like to have it, maybe for cat food. My only condition was she promise to NEVER, EVER tell anyone who made it! She promised. Fast forward a few months: I attended a party at their place. When I walked in, I saw the bowl on the table with nuts or candy or something. She said, "Hey everybody, this is John. He's the one who made this bowl!"

JKJ

Gosh, your work is really exceptional John!!

 

[Lary Sanders]

About 20 years ago I had a commission for a triangular shallow bowl. I was about to throw an "almost there" version in the fireplace when my wife grabbed it. I still see it every day in our kitchen. I think its gotten better.

 

[Ken Loy]

Everyone, THANK YOU so very much for the constructive feedback and for your encouragement. This was a really beautiful blank and I've wanted to make it a special piece. As someone noticed, it cracked when drying, and I tried to cut it out, only to realize how deeply it went into the blank. I filled the cracks with CA glue and the new owners will be the ones who learn how it holds up over time.

The pedestal foot is something that I've been playing with, and can't seem to figure out the proportions. I've seen it on Jonathan Renton's IG, and like the unique form. Will keep working on it.

I turned the foot this evening, playing with a little pedestal, and eventually pulling in the curve more, as @hockenberry suggested. Also eliminated the pedestal all together and keeping a small cove detail.

It's not my best bowl form, to be honest. You all are very helpful critics, and I'd appreciate all of your thoughts. As many of you have said, we should all try new things, learn from them, and be comfortable with making mistakes. At this point, I'm VERY comfortable! haha.

Thanks again.

 

[Lou Jacobs]

That is a gorgeous piece of wood, and you’ve made a beautiful form to showcase it. Congrats!

 

[Gabriel Hoff]

Everyone, THANK YOU so very much for the constructive feedback and for your encouragement. This was a really beautiful blank and I've wanted to make it a special piece. As someone noticed, it cracked when drying, and I tried to cut it out, only to realize how deeply it went into the blank. I filled the cracks with CA glue and the new owners will be the ones who learn how it holds up over time.

The pedestal foot is something that I've been playing with, and can't seem to figure out the proportions. I've seen it on Jonathan Renton's IG, and like the unique form. Will keep working on it.

I turned the foot this evening, playing with a little pedestal, and eventually pulling in the curve more, as @hockenberry suggested. Also eliminated the pedestal all together and keeping a small cove detail.

It's not my best bowl form, to be honest. You all are very helpful critics, and I'd appreciate all of your thoughts. As many of you have said, we should all try new things, learn from them, and be comfortable with making mistakes. At this point, I'm VERY comfortable! haha.

Thanks again.

View attachment 68724


View attachment 68725

Looks great! That is what all of us are here for!

 

[Kent Reisdorph]

I'm late to the party, but I would have gone with no foot.

 

[Alan Weinberg]

That is a gorgeous piece of wood, and you’ve made a beautiful form to showcase it. Congrats!

I second that emotion!

 

[Marc Banka]

Len,
Sorry I’m late to the party. Still, I’ll give my 2 cents.
The foot should be roughly 1/3 the large diameter (rim). Larger than 1/3 looks sturdy, but less graceful. Smaller can look elegant, says this is not a user. Much less than 1/3 can look unstable and lose the gracefulness.

The apparent thickness of your walls (robust) would to me suggest you wouldn’t want a foot that’s frilly. You need to show strength to match the walls.

As was mentioned, it’s best if the curve of your bowl be continuous, from one edge to the other. A foot helps you achieve that, but for my part, doesn’t play much of a design role, so simple is good. I like a small chamfer at the bottom of the foot, just enough to create a shadow line. Gives more illusion of lightness.

This is fairly typical of the foots I tend to use.

 

[John K Jordan]

About 20 years ago I had a commission for a triangular shallow bowl. I was about to throw an "almost there" version in the fireplace when my wife grabbed it. I still see it every day in our kitchen. I think its gotten better.

Curious, do you make the triangular bowls with the cube method?

As for fireplaces, have you ever tried burning cocobolo? It burns so well!

 

[Doug Rasmussen]

With its thick walls this appears to me to be a utilitarian bowl . Bowls that are to be used deserve large feet so no issues with tipping when handled in food preparation. I would have gone flat across right below the small detail the main curve runs into.

 

[Lary Sanders]

the cube method?

I just turned it as a shallow platter and hand cut the final shape. I have not tried burning cocobolo. I tend to keep every little piece for inlay, marquetry, etc. My neighbor tried burning part of a christmas tree. That was exciting but luckily did not actually burn his house down.

 

[John K Jordan]

I keep a box of cocobolo scraps. (the stuff is so full of waxy oils a thin piece will burn like a candle) Next time I visit my brother in Marysville maybe I could bring some. I also save small pieces of burl and spalted wood for people with more patience and skill than I.

I made this 3-cornered "thing" from two cubes, one spalted maple or poplar or something and a smaller one from an east indian rosewood cube, flipped upside down as a foot (or is it "as feet"?)



Yikes, be careful with conifers and fire!

When I need to burn here I dig a pit, usually 10' wide, 10' deep, and 20'+ long. Due to the convection things burn far quicker than above ground and the fire is largely protected from the wind, barely a spark flying. (The pits are usually out in the middle of a field and I only burn after a rain.) And pit burning gets so hot there is very little smoke.

When we "fire" it up, we usually burn all day, loading logs and such with the excavator.
I have a pile of eight dump trailer loads waiting so it's about time to start another one. And about 1/2 is Leyland Cypress and pine.
And yes, a permit from the forestry service is required.

Here's looking down into one pit.

 

[Jon Rista]

I think it does look a bit out of place on that bowl. I think what may have allowed it to work, is if it flared out more at the bottom. The bowl above is so large, the foot so small. If the bottom of the foot was larger, and maybe with a more pronounced curve to the foot, it might have worked for the bowl.