Gordon Andrus Tooling Class

[Goldshot Ron]

I just got home from Wickenburg, and I want to recommend a tooling class taught by Gordon Andrus of Sage Creek Saddlery in Utah. This was offered during the Leather and Saddlers Journel trade show. Gordon has an interesting tooling technique that is quit impressive. His three day class was well worth the tuition. I recommend this class for anyone wanting to advance their tooling skills. It is not for beginners, but people looking for new techniques and a fresh new approach to design and tooling would well benefit from his knowledge.

Three thumbs up from Ron

[Bob Blea]

Hi Ron,

Could you tell us a little about how it's different?

Bob

[Goldshot Ron]

Gordon uses the Sheridan style of tooling, but his acanthus leaves are larger and fill in more area. His approach to flow of the pattern starts at the top of the vinework and flows down to the start of the vine; instead of starting at the ground and moving upward. I found that this technique helped me with my leaves being more flowing than starting at the ground level or bottom of the design and working upward.

The two photos show some of his work.

Edited February 21, 2013 by Goldshot Ron

[steveh]

Gordon uses the Sheridan style of tooling, but his acanthus leaves are larger and fill in more area. His approach to flow of the pattern starts at the top of the vinework and flows down to the start of the vine; instead of starting at the ground and moving upward. I found that this technique helped me with my leaves being more flowing than starting at the ground level or bottom of the design and working upward.

The two photos show some of his work.

Ron,

Could you please explain "starts at the top of the vinework and flows to the start of the vine" I am not clear on that? You have a flower and a stem that you build a scroll of vines most often in a circle. What do you mean by starting at "top"

thank you,

steve

[Goldshot Ron]

The page that I attached shows the flow of his style. What you will normally see in an example such as this page is a reverse of the arrows. When carving a sheridan pattern you usually have an eternal circle; where there is no obvious start. This still holds true with Andrus' method. By following the arrows (up to down) with a design, it assists in drawing the conjoining lines that form the leaves, stems, and scrolls. He uses the Gardner book on Sheridan Style in his class; but, his class for me was an "duh...I get it" moment.

[Bob Blea]

Thanks Ron, I get what you mean, and his work is really really good. I visited his website and there is some really nice work on there.

Bob