In this example we will present the "blocking" phase in glassblowing through a collection of visual abstraction videos.
In the first step the block is being prepared in order to receive the molten glass, heated to a brilliant orange glow.
This is demonstrated in the second video where the wooden block is used to shape the hot glass. The block acts as a practical tool, guiding the glass into the desired form.
The third video shows additional forming of the shape of the glass happening by using the outside part of the block as a guide.
In real life, as the glassblower rolls and manipulates the glass on the block, patterns and textures are formulated on the the glass's surface. The sound of the glass making contact with the wood provides auditory stimuly to the practitioner.
You can keep you own pace throughout this lesson. Feel free to stay as long as you like to study again and again these videos.
When you feel confident you can move to the next subject. If you think that you have completed this lesson you can move into the next one where we will see these techniques executed by actual practitioners in a glassblowing workshop.