This is the old smithy [forge] at The Weald and Downland open air museum atSingleton near Goodwood in Sussex [uk].
The museum dismantles and rescues buildings of historic importance and rebuilds them in the rural setting of the museum.Some are made into villages or streets.
The buildings are fascinating, there is a watermill that mills its own flour that is then sold on site,a medieval farm house, carpenters workshops,barns charcoal burners hut etc etc.
The smithy is from a village called Southwater and is in daily use by the resident blacksmith who makes and repairs all manner of metal objects for the museum.
Its a great place to go and is brilliant for those artists who are into buildings, several staff dressed in traditional costumes are available to give the talks and demonstrations of ancient skills such as Elizabethan cookery Bodging [making chair legs and braces using pole lathes].
The round mill stone thing in the foreground of the picture is used to put a cartwheel on while its red hot iron rim is fitted, water is then poured over it to shrink the rim to the wheel and hold the spokes in place.
I may do a few more of the buildings using the photos that I took.May try a watercolour even!
trebor61 9:16 am on October 3, 2009 | #
This is great Nick. Like the description also, especially the technique for shrinking the rim onto the wheel. This, of course is still used in industry. I know. I once, when undergoing my engineering apprenticeship, had to shrink a bearing onto a motor’s shaft by immersing it it hot oil then pushing it onto the specific part of the shaft. Got it wrong. Shoved it on the wrong end. “£2K lost. Not popular.
Sophie Brown 2:03 pm on October 3, 2009 | #
The place sounds lovely but it’s always so encouraging to see someone taking the time to really learn how to draw well. I don’t know that I would call it a “dying art” but very nearly. Taking the time to learn fine draughtsmanship is a really important (and difficult for most of us). I think maybe in a computerized world and everyone else grabbing a camera you may find some real use for this ability.
Nick Powell 2:53 pm on October 3, 2009 | #
Thanks for your comments Sophie I often return to drawing usually after several mediocre attempts at watercolours! I was pleased with last months entry to the theme challenge in watercolour but for me that is a rare event.
Drawing allows me to put in detail that I find hard to stay away from when painting and this is usually my downfall with a painting.Maybe I should go down the acrylic route, but I don’t like being beaten, really the main problem as with all things is the lack of time for practicing watercolour techniques.
Bob I forgot to mention that there is a pile of iron tyres leaning against the building ready for fitting,I love these old methods of manufacture so clever yet so simple!