HSEAD STANDARDS MANUAL

PENWORK - Members

REQUIREMENTS   

Boxes (minimum size 6 x 8”), tea caddies (double compartment or larger), two (2) hand screens (not necessarily a matching pair),  gameboards (minimum 14” square) and other exceptional wooden items.  Pieces must be historically accurate.

1.   Design – 10% of points

Choose typical well-balanced designs influenced by one of the four established penwork styles – Neoclassical, Chinoiserie, Anglo-Indian and Scottish. The design must be authentic and appropriate in scale for the article. The design must include sufficient units to demonstrate craftsmanship in the formation and shading of such units. All visible surfaces must have some penwork.

2. Background – 20% of points

Base coats must be smooth and without ridges. Natural backgrounds must be done on woods having little or no noticeable grain, such as basswood, poplar, sycamore or pine. The wood may be stained to simulate the look of an antique piece.

3. Penwork – 40% of points

Inked lines - whether fine, medium or heavy - must demonstrate a sure hand and show rhythm. Flowers, leaves, buildings, figures, animals, etc. should be well drawn. There should be sufficient details such as lines, dots, and/or crosshatching to convey shape and shading to the design. Scratch work may be used to enhance details of the design.

4. Ground – 20% of points

Large black inked areas must be smoothly and solidly covered with no visible pooling. Brushwork may be done in ink or watercolor. This work, whether black or polychrome, must be smoothly applied with no visible puddling. All brushwork must be semitransparent and luminous without heavy opaque areas.  

5. Finish – 10% of points

Varnish must be gloss. Matte or sprayed finishes are unacceptable. The final surface must be smooth, free of dust specks and hand rubbed to a high polish. All work must be done by the exhibitor.

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(Added 5/17/2009)
(Revised 6/18/2010)