Image 1 of 1
This project has been extracted from my book, Woodturning: Form and Formula, which explores the Golden Ratio and Rule of Thirds in much greater depth with sketching techniques, professional examples, and seven projects (including this one) designed to help you develop your eye for proportion. After purchase, you will be presented with a download link for the file.
This is a playful project. The finished piece has no function beyond its form — hence the phrase ‘Objet d’art’, I suppose. But within that playfulness lies a quiet lesson in proportion. The dimensions you’ll follow aren’t arbitrary. They’re based on the Golden Ratio — a mathematical relationship (roughly 1:1.618) that crops up everywhere from seashells to Renaissance paintings.
When applied to woodturning, it helps create forms that simply feel right. The balloon sits full but not heavy. The stem is slender without looking fragile. The finial crowns the piece without stealing attention. Each element relates to the others in a way your eye reads as balanced, even if you can’t quite say why.
You don’t need to understand the maths to turn this piece — just follow the measurements. But as you work, notice how those proportions talk to each other. A fraction off here changes the character of the whole. That’s the real lesson this project offers: learning to see those small differences.
Technically, this is a test of patience. Hollowing the body requires a steady hand, and the curves need to flow smoothly from one element to the next. Over-cut by a fraction and you’ll have what I call a ‘design opportunity’. A calm pace makes all the difference.
Though small, the Balloon is a striking demonstration of what proportion and imagination can bring to your turning.