Rudolf Baum was head of the metalwork department at a state technical school in Hennef, Germany. He prepared these books to provide an introduction to descriptive drawing for both apprentices and advanced artist-blacksmiths. Artist Blacksmithing is a creative process. It begins with an idea which then becomes a mental picture. This must then become a real picture, usually a free-hand drawing, detailed enough to let the beginning smith visualize his idea, determine its size, shape and proportions, and also realistic enough so the experienced smith can present it to his customer, and use it as a basis for a dimensioned shop drawing.
