Harvey Leach's Intricate Guitar Inlays on Colour In Your Life
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- Опубликовано: 1 фев 2016
- In this fine art TV show episode Harvey Leach is interviewed with Colour In Your Life about painting, mosaic inlays, guitars, art workshops, art tips and art techniques.
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Fine Art TV Series - Colour In Your Life
Season - 12
Episode - 03
Filmed on Location at - California
Harvey cut his first inlay when he was in high school. Harvey’s first “inlay” was actually a cavity the shape of a heart in a banjo fret board made from an ill-advised cherry. Rather than actually cut something to fit he simply filled the cavity with Plastic Wood… Harvey has come a long way since!
Harvey got his real start with inlays while he was trying to build banjos for a living… everyone knows you can’t build a banjo without encrusting it with a fair amount of shiny secretions from the ocean floor! His first attempts were with the mindset that if he couldn’t play better than everybody else he could at least look cooler. It was a great plan but at his very first contest a guy by the name of Steve Arkin showed up with a banjo he had built which looked remarkably like his… Steve won the contest and Harvey didn’t make the finals. Steve had been at it a bit longer and had played with some guy named Monroe in the early 60’s… his first name was Bill…
Harvey still has that banjo and as he looks at it he sees how far he has come from the good ole days where covering as much space as possible was a priority to now where it’s more about seeing how much detail he can fit into the smallest possible space. Harvey’s style has slowly evolved into one where he likes to see just how realistic he can make things look. He calls it photo-realistic but has been told by artists who smear around the limitless color combinations of pigments that to be “photo-realistic” it has to look just like a photo… la dee dah!
Harvey’s pallet of colors is much more restricted so he guesses that’s never going to happen. He can’t come up with a thousand shades of blue and then blend them to smoothly transition. Heck he’s lucky if he can find a half dozen materials that are different shades of blue! So therein lies the greatest challenge in “photo-realistic” inlay, finding the right materials to match the colors and textures you are trying to create. Since more often than not that material doesn’t really exist Harvey spends a lot of time making his own material by creating mosaics or custom blending things like jewelry grade epoxy or even a kids favorite, Sculpy clay. As you look through Harvey’s website you will find several detailed explanations of how some of these processes take place to create the near “photo-realistic” effects that sets his work apart from most other inlay artist.
You can contact the artist about their art tips or art techniques directly via their website www.harveyleachinlays.com/
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The Colour In Your Life TV series is an art show that takes you into the everyday studios of artists from around the world. While in the studio they share their individual techniques with the viewer in a relaxed atmosphere with a delightfully Australian host and fellow artist Graeme Stevenson. The series is currently filmed in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
Colour In Your Life is an Australian produced TV art show and website www.colourinyourlife.com.au
Graeme Stevenson, a world renowned Artist himself, rides his Harley Davidson to the studios of Artists all over the world and allows the viewers a chance to go into the Art studios of some of the greatest Artists in the world.
A wonderfully engaging show that allows people to see inside the minds and the abilities of some of the most creative people in the world. If you love creativity and the shear joy of looking at the world through Art, then Colour In Your Life is the place to be.
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Thanks everyone. That was probably one of the most fun things I've done in a while. Graeme and the "team" were such a pleasure to work with. Big thanks to Sophia for editing out all the mistakes!
+Harv Leach We are glad you enjoyed your time with us Harvey. Your show goes to air tonight in Australia and then we begin the process of up loading into all of the PBS stations in the states then onto our global distributor, Talk soon Bud, Graeme
I checked out your website hoping that you did classes. Heartbroken that you did not offer them. Understandably, since your time is probably worth more than the cost of the classes but I would hope that as you near the time you are going to move on to the next world you offer to teach others your art so that it lives on.
HI Harvey, I am just starting out on my very first attempt at an OM acoustic guitar build from scratch. I have always liked more intricate inlay work and was just browsing RUclips to try and get some ideas. I watched this in utter amazement! you are one of the most inspiring artists and craftsmen I have ever seen. My original goal was possibly an old sailing ship on the headstock and you have inspired me to now think beyond what I thought I could do. Even if I mess up a million times I will now feel free to create and put to the guitar what I really want. I was constrained before but now I just feel so happy to know someone like you is out there making these beautiful masterpieces, and on guitars. amazing, thank you so much!
@@markharding6582 yes yes, I have never seen anything like this and was thinking the same thing. What a master class this would be. plus, he seems like such a gentle, kind soul. I can't even fathom this talent
I'm looking at it and i still can't comprehend it. Some of this craftsmanship is truly mind-boggling.
Amazing the skill and patience...
Harvey Leach has! What a wonderful gift!
I've been obsessed with guitars for over 45 years. Harvey's work is by far the best I've ever seen
Watching it again, truly is works of art..
I have no words after watching this video. This artist is absolutely amazing!
Ive never been more impressed.
nice!!! thanks Harvey
So much TALENT!
Words can't describe this man's skill!
WOW ,WOW amazing work ,so many forms of art .
One word 👉 Beautiful
INCREDIBLE WORK CHAP!
Graeme, you pulled me in a year or so go with watercolor. You have kept me here though, with the amazing range of artistry you show. I first heard of Harvey a few years back when he did work with Martin guitars (I have played for over 25 years). What an awesome surprise to see this on your show! Thank you so much. There are other art channels on here that you would have to pay 30 bucks a month to watch what you all offer for free. It is very generous of you and I am glad you made it to the States.
+Adam Wallen Thanks Adam, I must say it has been extremely difficult for us to do this for free, we barely get by with what we have to do, but we are hoping as the series travels the globe things will change for us, Graeme
spectacular work of art!
saw the guitar he was referring to in the museum. as a luthier, I truly appreciate the level of craftsmanship this work requires
Stunning ❤
Thanks for sharing
Amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Beyond words... Absolutely brilliant, mate, thanks for creating and sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow amazing work. You are an awesome amazing artist. Thanks for sharing your videos.
That was AWESOME! Nothing short of spectacular! Thanks for sharing Harvey, Graeme and Sophia!
+Richard Stergulz Yeah he is pretty amazing isnt he? Its hard to fathom the patience he has. Thanks Bud, G
I’m a small bench hobbyist luthier and this blows my mind. I’ve done very simple inlay that was tough and this is almost incomprehensible!
yes he is very talented. Give Harvey a call and talk to him. He wont mind I can assure, you, Graeme
Great work👍
Graeme, thank you for sharing this experience with us. To look at Harvey's work makes everything else pale into insignificance.I thank you.John
+John Cornell Yes he is amazing and to feel and touch these master pieces was a thrill alone
Wow! such craftsmanship.
This is amazing!! I need to learn this!
I've been a carpenter for nearly 40 years, and I've seen some really beautiful inlay work from talented craftsmen, but Mr. Leach is 5 or 6 levels beyond. Stunning!
YES his work is mind boggling
thank you
amazing craftsmanship holy f
Awesome😊
Amazing works of art. Harvey is so imaginative and talented to be able to make what he imagines into reality.
+TrisnerFromTexas yes extraordinary ability
Just wow
"I'm a little obsessed with detail". A bit of understatement here Harvey. Thanks for the plug.
+Bob Hergert glad you enjoyed it Bob, will be moving this into our global distribution in the next few months, hope all is well, Graeme
+Graeme Stevenson (Colour in Your Life) If you haven't drawn the connection... master scrimshaw artist Bob Hergert knows a thing or 2 about detail obsession...
Known Harvey since Berlin 78. Beyond his talent is just Harvey who I am privileged to call my friend !!
+John Kennebeck he's a lovely man
Harvey is such a huge inspiration to me and so many other luthiers. The good Lord only makes a few of these artists every hundred years. Thank you for the great video.
thanks Andy, yes Harvey is an amazing man indeed, Graeme
Wow! Omg. Wow, geez totally miraculous
WOWWWW!
Amazing .................................... nice
Don't understand how he gets the CA glue (superglue) to cooperate like that. I've used it extensively and I'd sure like to see more of his process. This is such a tantalizing, brief overview of an incredible artist's work. Wish I could see more of how he gets it perfect by hand with no CNC!
I am so glad I stumbled onto this! I am no luthier but I love woodworking and am currently researching guitar construction.
I noticed that this video didn't show the implementation of sound bars in these guitars. Is this because of the domed construction or some other reason?
Beautiful wood and artistry,
Thank you for opening your shop and revealing a bit of wizardry in your craft.
All the best,
Ray
Glad you liked it Ray, we had an amazing day with Harvey. His work shop was so cool
Do you have (or you recommend) a video showing how to add the black accent (I don't know what you call it) on bottom of the heel of a banjo or guitar? I have a plain looking Pilgrim banjo that I want to dress up a bit. I'm going to add a black 'trim' or 'accent' to the bottom of the neck heel and the bottom of the pot also. Thanks!!
Boy, that side bender thingy is cool. I wonder how long it took him to learn how to design and measure out the kerfing and braces.
I have three Leach guitars and a Leach banjo. They're fantastic instruments. They play great and sound great. They're road instruments, and they've been well used and well cared for. Money wouldn't buy any of them.
where can i find the visor used by Master Harvey?
Which glue does he use for it?
WITH KIND OF PAINT CAN PAINT THE INLAY OF THE FRETBOAR?
"Some people sand it, I scrape it because I'm too lazy."
Proceeds to spend hundreds of hours on inlay work.
*thousands
Thanks everyone for the great comments! One person was asking about how my guitars sound. Most of the guitars I've built don't have a lot of inlay so it's difficult to find someone playing one on line, there is a video by a group called Boy Howdy from years ago ruclips.net/video/21odt0IJqEk/видео.html over the years I have built guitars 450 guitars, some for folks like Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Roy Clark, Elliott Easton (the Cars), Rusty Anderson (McCartney), John McEuen (NGDB), Thom Bresh among others. Inlay work really has no effect of sound unless it's in the top. For what it's worth, one of the folks above played my Samurai guitar and claims it's the best sounding guitar I've ever made (and he owns 3 of mine) Wood choices more than anything determine the way a guitar will sound. In general, customers who can afford elaborately inlaid guitars can afford the best wood too so by happenstance these guitars often sound very good. Sometimes these collectors don't play the guitars but a couple of my best customers play extremely well.
Forgot about this one, not the Sistine Chapel (unless you are a SF Giants fan!) pegheadnation.com/instruments-gear/fine-lutherie/harvey-leach-custom/
I trained as a cabinet maker, I have made miniature furniture.....Harvey's work and skill/art,,,makes me feel I have been making packing boxes,,, now words can describe my admeration
+gordon thomson Yes Gordon he is very good and to touch them was a amazing , Thanks for coming in, Graeme
Have you spent the last 2 years learning to spell ? I hope for your sake you have.
Reminds me of grit laskins inlay designs
"number one inlay artist in the world" - ok, that maybe right 👍🏻
"one of the leading guitar makers in the World ..."????? For sure not ☝🏻 Den Namen selbst hab ich vorher noch nie gehört 😂
But anyway... no question.... his inlay Works are absoluty awesome... 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
Alguém ai fala português pf?
A long ways from Furniture by Thurston huh Harvey ?
After I die I want to be reincarnated as Harvey Leach 2.0.
Now thats funny!
aussies?
What's the point in making a guitar so expensive that everybody is afraid to actually play?
Well i myself would love to here what some of them sound like. I mean i seen a couple of them that didn't seem to all full much like art even though they were very pleasing to the eye seemed all full inviting to play i'm talking of course of the three mostly wooden ones with not so much inlay one electric one beside the two acoustic ones i would if i had it bet a fortune they all three sound amazing. let me explain what i mean after so many years of holding playing and seeing guitars you just get an eye for spotting a guitar that the site of the quality craftsman work you can see witch almost makes it possible to hear just by the site !! But I would steel love to hear them played anyway because i'll bet the sound is equal if not better than that of a Grand Piano. I felt that way about all three but especially about the one one in the center with the ten thousand dollar wood the gentleman picked up.
The guitar is probably just the canvas for this guy.
You should reconsider your question sir. Art is one of the gifts that seperate us from the animals. Why drink fine champagne, when water is available? What's the point of mountain climbing, one only comes back down, right? What's the point of creating a painting, when one can just look out the window? Why did Michaelangelo paint the ceiling, when one can just look up at the outdoor sky? Possible answers include for the betterment and love of humanity. To challenge ones level of ability and achieve a whole new level of skill and beauty. To document and inspire future generations while leaving a legacy of ones work as a lasting tribute to craftsmanship and beauty, a form of immortality. The guitar is the canvas that this master artist has chosen.
Roy Clark is not exactly everybody
not a fan of the ostentatious guitar look, but, can definitely appreciate your work.