Dennis Hales - Woodturning
Basic Techniques
Traditional turning skills are used with local grown hardwoods sycamore holly ash and maple
The application of colour involves the use of water-soluble dyes. Modern aniline dyes and traditional dyes such Vandyke crystals are used to give a blend of colours and shades. The dyes are applied to the work after it has been turned. I use a variety of techniques including hand painting airbrushing and marbling, which involves over washing with two or more colours. The partially completed work is then replaced into the timber dryer to recondition the wood to stabilise the low (9% to 12%) moisture content before further applications of colour prior to gilding and lacquering.
Gilding
After the pieces are decorated and lacquered, the work is gilded using metal leaf transfers 24 carat gold, copper, double weight silver leaf, variegated leaf and imitation gold.
. The piece is replaced in the dryer to harden before being returned to the lathe .At this stage the leaf surface is cut back to the coloured background. The piece then receives a further two coats of lacquer which encapsulate the leaf to minimise any risk of tarnishing.
“Wet Turning”
The wood is turned part seasoned and decorated on the lathe, and then allowed to dry. As the wood dry it shrinks across the grain which tends to accentuate elliptical forms such as Natural edge bowls and introduces movement in to larger platters, (not dissimilar to high fired ceramics). Providing the thin profile is constant there is no risk of cracking.
After drying including conditioning in the timber dryer( dehumidifier drying by transpiration) work is hand finished on the bench due to the excessive movement particularly holly.
Apple and Cherry Plate
Sycamore woodturned bowl and fruit
£85
Apple and Cherry Plate with green gilt
Sycamore woodturned bowl and fruit, green gilding
£85
Apple, Pear and Cherry Plate with green gilt
Sycamore woodturned bowl and fruit, red gilding
£95
Autumn bowl with copper gilt leaf
Sycamore Autumn bowl with copper/gilt leaf
£125
Gilded Bowl Verigated Leaf
Sycamore Gilded bowl with verigated leaf
£75
Apple and Cherry Plate with red gilt
Sycamore woodturned bowl and fruit, red gilding
£85
Fruit plate, gilt on Sycamore
Sycamore woodturned bowl and fruit, dutch metal gilt center
£225
Large platter center piece or wall hanging
Large Sycamore centre or wall piece with silver leaf
£135
Large platter center piece or wall hanging
Large Sycamore centre or wall piece with copper leaf
£135
To purchase any of the featured work please call the gallery on 01738 621836 during store hours or use the contact form to make an enquiry. Purchases can be made using Paypal or over the phone by credit card at the gallery.
