Some geometry before carving

a look at the boxes of John Savell of Braintree, Massachusetts

copying a carved drawer front

The way I approach learning a pattern for carving is to gather whatever information I have - best scenario is to have measurements and photos that I’ve taken from an in-person examination of the object I want to copy. Second-best is a good clear photo and some overall measurements that I can then tinker with to come up with a good guess as to proportion, spacing, tool selection, etc. 

When I’m first learning a carving pattern, I have the photos and notes on the bench for reference as I work. But what I aim for is to familiarize myself with the design enough so that I can just lay it out and carve it without any references at the bench. Eventually my own version of a pattern emerges with this approach.

same pattern done as a box front, 2020