tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39833461115016951252024-03-06T00:48:04.370-08:00Zelda: Pet PortraitDonna Menkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18257355011284349442noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983346111501695125.post-72139182755957281142009-11-20T13:24:00.000-08:002009-11-20T14:25:54.690-08:00Texturing the Fur, Burning, and Painting- DONE!11/20/09<br />Almost a full month since I posted here, but I have not been idle. After 10 weeks of on and off work Zelda is finished. Here is the finished carving:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9qDEavS3bA7Hw4x_sjUhOyYguP7s0v0d2SJGxVnS83fR1t38NI7y98oQJ3gNAtX_inFkbQU5M7r066pWsWRHA9pDJJNg60I6YRUZUxgC6I7Z1AQUn0kZ2atTKyNkXyQCFAJ7EcVv5-q0/s1600/24+Finished+bigger.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9qDEavS3bA7Hw4x_sjUhOyYguP7s0v0d2SJGxVnS83fR1t38NI7y98oQJ3gNAtX_inFkbQU5M7r066pWsWRHA9pDJJNg60I6YRUZUxgC6I7Z1AQUn0kZ2atTKyNkXyQCFAJ7EcVv5-q0/s320/24+Finished+bigger.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406315148391606146" border="0" /></a><br />(click the photo for a closer look)<br />Here are the steps I took to complete the carving:<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Texturing:</span><br />I didn't take many photos of the texturing process. I used small veiner gouges to try to replicate the flow of the dog's fur. On the muzzle I used a 1/32" wide gouge, and gradually increased the size of the gouges through the 1/16" and 1/8" until I was using a 1/4" wide gouge on the heavier fur areas.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LIaNNDJqgjtTHUEnJ6zbe7t1UUsX_OJeJhuxshT0r5NDijPtaGXTPJzqEMUvp93hyqnZ1kDX1qpOuYkl1ODG9SsSDhmNeyp0M-VFs5r1cwj1vaH7z0hOQf_SUiUy1QvKMD4BEM1Bpc50/s1600/15+texturing+finished.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LIaNNDJqgjtTHUEnJ6zbe7t1UUsX_OJeJhuxshT0r5NDijPtaGXTPJzqEMUvp93hyqnZ1kDX1qpOuYkl1ODG9SsSDhmNeyp0M-VFs5r1cwj1vaH7z0hOQf_SUiUy1QvKMD4BEM1Bpc50/s320/15+texturing+finished.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406306363607224514" border="0" /></a><br />Smaller gouges were then used to break up the larger areas into furrier looking wood. Notice that the harsh line of the ruff has been drastically minimized by the texturing- and I lowered it some before this step too.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Burning:</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Burning is a time consuming process, but somewhat enjoyable if you are not rushed. The idea is to further break up the fur into individual hairs- kinda. At least the illusion of individual hairs. I started on the nose where I used just the tip of the skew tool to indicate tiny, short, straight hairs.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04NNNMI4dZwcxwqMyXnyovOJ49xbCfs9-hCO04RFs06HGyzHUd5AR7O8owEEMXw1qshMf8SOro7CYtkusu_JsKYm8Q5apHD7ykqkxgFRUPxj__6tJ0-sHldXbYm3zOXvbAajROTRyqHfi/s1600/16+burning+nose.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04NNNMI4dZwcxwqMyXnyovOJ49xbCfs9-hCO04RFs06HGyzHUd5AR7O8owEEMXw1qshMf8SOro7CYtkusu_JsKYm8Q5apHD7ykqkxgFRUPxj__6tJ0-sHldXbYm3zOXvbAajROTRyqHfi/s320/16+burning+nose.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406307592216526050" border="0" /></a><br />The nose and eye were darkened and sealed with the side of the skew burner.<br />I worked my way back on the head by following the natural lines of the fur and skull. By burning areas like this I prevent myself from getting carried away and getting the direction wrong.<br />After the head was done I worked on the left leg with longer and deeper strokes of the burner to indicate longer hairs.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi4vsbsn42MWzS8NmOYD1L0TFr-vRj3GZ0MZ8ZtnvvqVimrsoCIvzAqsYAZrpI1WSXnLV6aocgPM2-wj9Lwaol93VCFOhPF0aoHKKofbI9ER1sRs5emgYO4E6_4llWhCGcS0FYaANKpmH/s1600/18+burning+fur.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi4vsbsn42MWzS8NmOYD1L0TFr-vRj3GZ0MZ8ZtnvvqVimrsoCIvzAqsYAZrpI1WSXnLV6aocgPM2-wj9Lwaol93VCFOhPF0aoHKKofbI9ER1sRs5emgYO4E6_4llWhCGcS0FYaANKpmH/s320/18+burning+fur.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406308553863069154" border="0" /></a><br />Notice that the hairs on the ears and ruff are coarser and longer too- mostly done with deeper and darker burning.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Painting:</span><br />After the burning was done I started to put some paint on. Originally I was going to just stain the wood for a little color, but the burning was too dark to allow that treatment. The buff colored areas needed to be lightened a lot and a that would need paint. The first coat of paint was applied thinly and in muted versions of the final color.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Fxolj8L8ciYoNwg3sp-bOgHOePdsG-o0TgfCfjGqg28TINYpBH46catJktMMNRjn_wUIF_-3OCWhukBNNs6DRfcbkxm2PV61bE1jmBzwzsEnqde3DZPDWuMNeBUS0poyVOSeicULUXzK/s1600/19+first+paint+on+dog.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Fxolj8L8ciYoNwg3sp-bOgHOePdsG-o0TgfCfjGqg28TINYpBH46catJktMMNRjn_wUIF_-3OCWhukBNNs6DRfcbkxm2PV61bE1jmBzwzsEnqde3DZPDWuMNeBUS0poyVOSeicULUXzK/s320/19+first+paint+on+dog.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406309719550535714" border="0" /></a><br />After looking at this for a while I decided that it needed some background color, and I needed it to be there now so that I could judge how to finish painting the dog. A darker background would affect how light her paws would look.<br />I considered a Mona Lisa style painted landscape but decided that would be too kitschy. Then I thought about making the frame look like a stone archway- but decided against that idea too.<br />First I put some burgundy color for the cushion and a light amber for the background.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAzzxvgcQi63jX2Q6sAovEhuGCfFpNJOS1IpPe42OvC8ZFZlstILVjQ_ngQetrODggFPqj-PFHAsTHw7_0yKEC2sk9EeLSCdalKzcUI1YJXF3wT8RSi5wIpqGq9_jLDe3DDSg5XLDsoIY/s1600/20+first+paint+on+background.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAzzxvgcQi63jX2Q6sAovEhuGCfFpNJOS1IpPe42OvC8ZFZlstILVjQ_ngQetrODggFPqj-PFHAsTHw7_0yKEC2sk9EeLSCdalKzcUI1YJXF3wT8RSi5wIpqGq9_jLDe3DDSg5XLDsoIY/s320/20+first+paint+on+background.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406310384253016002" border="0" /></a><br />That looked way too garish, so I sanded it with some 220 grit sand paper.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkmns94rdBfB0gClqyUxOF_R0jwP7LsXYzuP5S5_zQy8juxtV17k5xQGoM7ucbr31GD-NPABMjgw34UA6Vip631osQMkYLkaYdS6SPh9rOgQ14I2JWTmxNbII4Q7Hjgsle_k01FY5YvoJ/s1600/21+after+sanding+background.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkmns94rdBfB0gClqyUxOF_R0jwP7LsXYzuP5S5_zQy8juxtV17k5xQGoM7ucbr31GD-NPABMjgw34UA6Vip631osQMkYLkaYdS6SPh9rOgQ14I2JWTmxNbII4Q7Hjgsle_k01FY5YvoJ/s320/21+after+sanding+background.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406311122666138290" border="0" /></a><br />That brought out the highlights that I'd carved into the wood, but they were too light and the background was still too yellow.<br />So I mixed up a nice intermediate color and applied it all over the cushion and background and wiped it off immediately. The sanded areas picked it up and the shadowed areas were modified.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHza4Ems85lONHBPg4wAjpqBXLxCwLsyH2m6ublXE51jY1IwBYWWxdOhPHCQDOMvEv3fJzJNYbVQNHqpyC2-c8iO_ypp5xaxRHZjQ0oqVKbsoFttCIMHVddoQVkFts2DcwAFTeEkr9Wwk/s1600/22+after+tempering+background.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHza4Ems85lONHBPg4wAjpqBXLxCwLsyH2m6ublXE51jY1IwBYWWxdOhPHCQDOMvEv3fJzJNYbVQNHqpyC2-c8iO_ypp5xaxRHZjQ0oqVKbsoFttCIMHVddoQVkFts2DcwAFTeEkr9Wwk/s320/22+after+tempering+background.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406311944948697106" border="0" /></a><br />This I like. I was now able to go over the dog's fur with increasingly intense paint to bring up the lighter areas and emphasize the darker areas.<br />All in all I am satisfied with my first relief carving.<br />Now- onto my next carving project.Donna Menkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18257355011284349442noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983346111501695125.post-30336686600345013492009-10-25T19:28:00.000-07:002009-10-25T19:46:25.381-07:00Progress after a break10/25/09<br />Finally I got back to this project today. I have another commission waiting in the wings but this one has the earlier deadline. The Naiad carving was all consuming for a while, and I am quite proud of it now, but it took precedence for all of 6 weeks. Now I can get back to Zelda.<br />First I needed to fix the frame. Knowing the nature of the person for whom this is intended I know he would not like an irregular frame. We discussed the stone arch idea, but ultimately I decided that the simpler design would be better.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiadQG45tqUIXM2T0mkPvqVU0RHAvs0BCMdGYWKjRfsXpx6qvcOIwI3d3O1-JuGmBjuoHdd9iP78mJy5kjbSpHrO4uoQfLtLoElSwTmhQT-JzjPgAmp4SWuV9HzGSMIehhQMR7Lrvpt_qH/s1600-h/11+10-25-09+back+to+work.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiadQG45tqUIXM2T0mkPvqVU0RHAvs0BCMdGYWKjRfsXpx6qvcOIwI3d3O1-JuGmBjuoHdd9iP78mJy5kjbSpHrO4uoQfLtLoElSwTmhQT-JzjPgAmp4SWuV9HzGSMIehhQMR7Lrvpt_qH/s320/11+10-25-09+back+to+work.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396731507366039234" border="0" /></a><br />I loved the way these curls of wood came off my new gouge. This is a Ramelson and my older gouges are mostly Swiss Tools. I've decided my favorite is whichever one is sharpest. The gouges fresh from professional sharpening are much sharper than the ones I did. Duh.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7reK5qI84nIpPTMs47dJBu6kaZvTygLY7KJRgZKxEiRCeDVrxIO41fAbnut8IYFr2YxImIdjfQEMQRD6VidBdMHvOWgBonbc1ff3wl6kPEQHqAitQHXV0lXo3yoWIk4QQqSMLvNlkhVK4/s1600-h/12+cleaning+up+the+background.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7reK5qI84nIpPTMs47dJBu6kaZvTygLY7KJRgZKxEiRCeDVrxIO41fAbnut8IYFr2YxImIdjfQEMQRD6VidBdMHvOWgBonbc1ff3wl6kPEQHqAitQHXV0lXo3yoWIk4QQqSMLvNlkhVK4/s320/12+cleaning+up+the+background.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396731510985598450" border="0" /></a><br />After I got the background and blankie the way I wanted it I worked to get the finish as good as possible. I don't want to have to sand any more than I have to- did enough of that on the Naiad. Having a strongly slanting light like this helps to show up any irregularities, and a razor-sharp #3 gouge makes the job a breeze- time consuming, but not difficult.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmC0Ot35v_x-zhCiU3zgRLAgQafLr-7jmHoULUTkkV4iZHR8wQqvXBVtlVOJfvfNTNvINyW6G8kKiouGhuyerh3Ia8dpRwiMOgiV4MR4BRLU2FOY3qBIeaHzCrxks1svBwH-8Y6vKcwE_/s1600-h/13+after+5+hours+today.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmC0Ot35v_x-zhCiU3zgRLAgQafLr-7jmHoULUTkkV4iZHR8wQqvXBVtlVOJfvfNTNvINyW6G8kKiouGhuyerh3Ia8dpRwiMOgiV4MR4BRLU2FOY3qBIeaHzCrxks1svBwH-8Y6vKcwE_/s320/13+after+5+hours+today.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396731516478372834" border="0" /></a><br />This is how far I got in about 5 hours today. The paws gave me fits, and the ears took some fine undercutting, but I'm satisfied with how everything turned out. Once I get the texturing on there it will look much better- and then the burning- and finally a touch of paint. Don't worry about that harsh line on Zelda's left shoulder- that will be broken up in the next steps and make her 'ruff'.<br />I'd sure like to see some comments here sos I know someone is following this blog.Donna Menkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18257355011284349442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983346111501695125.post-29618553003858728882009-09-16T13:51:00.000-07:002009-09-16T14:22:44.648-07:00Outline to Sculpting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyci47BWQe1QGgsTfgQjmiU05dO-noeEtBcczYt_CzC5MW_DOESdaa28ODtZHklK_XW-DnZ8tVVdLP1kcKkJY83G1BG17MI7ajiDpspXwcI_QqWXFmdMb_2XpsGZMtb2y7IgfnfjwwU98/s1600-h/05+outline+cuts.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyci47BWQe1QGgsTfgQjmiU05dO-noeEtBcczYt_CzC5MW_DOESdaa28ODtZHklK_XW-DnZ8tVVdLP1kcKkJY83G1BG17MI7ajiDpspXwcI_QqWXFmdMb_2XpsGZMtb2y7IgfnfjwwU98/s320/05+outline+cuts.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382173878387604306" border="0" /></a><br />This is after I have trimmed right up to the outline of the dog drawing. I used a knife and various full-sized carving gouges to match the curves. Refined some of the background levels when I found them to be off.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCW_iggJBITbhZr1Zw_5D4XCiKpqtk8IjNvQW-sapyIC1VUK-YSXPqbqRjWzCb838xXDoRXEGo8zfUfDsVeQroBtta0EchRVMUXcHtwOSpAkVNhlh4cCQJDZjA3CR6had03pIRXqqygFg/s1600-h/06+top+level+marked.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCW_iggJBITbhZr1Zw_5D4XCiKpqtk8IjNvQW-sapyIC1VUK-YSXPqbqRjWzCb838xXDoRXEGo8zfUfDsVeQroBtta0EchRVMUXcHtwOSpAkVNhlh4cCQJDZjA3CR6had03pIRXqqygFg/s320/06+top+level+marked.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382174777878127394" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdxDOzWCFvDFQ6oK3MM3DY9qGa2GMAOJGWyU119lRAY3oEgb4vaX9-XyBmLhBNtY9_eqO2H5-mBtzp58BxePVvsnsz3PVK78-94ALgfOMXH7V0P5s7ZFismsruqnNpfED3XyEQjS6XOYX/s1600-h/07+all+but+level+1+removed.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdxDOzWCFvDFQ6oK3MM3DY9qGa2GMAOJGWyU119lRAY3oEgb4vaX9-XyBmLhBNtY9_eqO2H5-mBtzp58BxePVvsnsz3PVK78-94ALgfOMXH7V0P5s7ZFismsruqnNpfED3XyEQjS6XOYX/s320/07+all+but+level+1+removed.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382174912289568482" border="0" /></a><br />The first major step is to decide what is foremost in the animal. I chose the right foreleg, right side of the head, and the right ear. On the bottom photo you can see how it looked after I removed all but these sections. Since I had 3/8 of an inch left of wood to work with I took off 1/8" in this pass.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4aJDRUEuEqlfTC7pSGcjQtGllDZhuBo6f1hMS2Pl2atFZXp0SASfXG67gkhsk6CFHOWEuHSluJq3CSPHaE6q4hYvZ2_ooXa2kBTVq8A70MaY3qiHfr0CxFBC2qXSiV2_byHmnN1_XNVJL/s1600-h/08+level+3+marked.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4aJDRUEuEqlfTC7pSGcjQtGllDZhuBo6f1hMS2Pl2atFZXp0SASfXG67gkhsk6CFHOWEuHSluJq3CSPHaE6q4hYvZ2_ooXa2kBTVq8A70MaY3qiHfr0CxFBC2qXSiV2_byHmnN1_XNVJL/s320/08+level+3+marked.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382175467845015490" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWAqB4G9Ux-5548aY90Sxk5frIRlRPhV25CoYKCKudHoWxQiEATuqKXIBNNJOP10xyl6qoVNocNT4jgyXOQ7gd5XHN-expfm728Np0oglfrwFDCzBufheJHw3r5DpSin03d2za3DtQNzh/s1600-h/09+level+3+removed.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWAqB4G9Ux-5548aY90Sxk5frIRlRPhV25CoYKCKudHoWxQiEATuqKXIBNNJOP10xyl6qoVNocNT4jgyXOQ7gd5XHN-expfm728Np0oglfrwFDCzBufheJHw3r5DpSin03d2za3DtQNzh/s320/09+level+3+removed.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382175583435898898" border="0" /></a><br />I wanted 3 layers so the next step was to mark where I wanted the 3rd or lowest layer to go. Then I removed everything marked down to that level; 1/8" above the background. With these level established I was now free to sculpt the wood to the form of the dog. First I rounded everything and connected up the layers. Then I studied the photo and looked at my dogs to remind me what went where. It looked a lot worse before it looked better, but I was ultimately satisfied with the results up to now.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oLxdYftQJOU0-oTHUoKIuHkwz9VythQYjNBJannZPdVsXYrWsqgdDH_1o03Rg0Prk3tB_YS5PZ185kkme9j9Dh65kjGYIrS1nHMIPzJ2LvXqcPGXCQqVZs-v9Pk1Ut2orRzNSbMfOKXe/s1600-h/10+after+rounding+and+some+details.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oLxdYftQJOU0-oTHUoKIuHkwz9VythQYjNBJannZPdVsXYrWsqgdDH_1o03Rg0Prk3tB_YS5PZ185kkme9j9Dh65kjGYIrS1nHMIPzJ2LvXqcPGXCQqVZs-v9Pk1Ut2orRzNSbMfOKXe/s320/10+after+rounding+and+some+details.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382176963878765010" border="0" /></a><br />She is still far from completed, but I think most of the form is correct. I'm still debating about how to handle the 'frame'. I kinda like it the way it is- but then thought about some ways to make it more unique. I could turn the archway into a stone arch. I'd be interested in reading your thoughts on this idea.<br />Next on the dog I'll sand a little to remove the 'fuzzies' and then texture the fur area.Donna Menkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18257355011284349442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3983346111501695125.post-39059874832796678412009-09-10T16:20:00.000-07:002009-09-10T16:37:36.794-07:00Zelda: a Pet Portrait in Relief9/10/09<br />Last year I promised a good friend a portrait of his dog, Zelda. I took some reference photos at that time and then bought a few slabs of basswood and butternut with some bark left to act as a frame. The dog is really pretty with lots of great color. I decided that I would do a relief with wood burning for color and a little added color.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9yBbcxLu5YSIlByu07xky4F1-OTGY_eAVEWf3WEx6H-mGsaOSi_9p0lg4ZxYzyPr3VbdchBtlDpVa66dIsYpbz-AfGfNhrs8Sja1mq3TqsLM18HkTIjT4_rhvdnbPGXoRyOfqMovpqz7/s1600-h/01+Zelda+photo.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9yBbcxLu5YSIlByu07xky4F1-OTGY_eAVEWf3WEx6H-mGsaOSi_9p0lg4ZxYzyPr3VbdchBtlDpVa66dIsYpbz-AfGfNhrs8Sja1mq3TqsLM18HkTIjT4_rhvdnbPGXoRyOfqMovpqz7/s320/01+Zelda+photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379983623084505954" border="0" /></a><br />Zelda was a stray so we don't know what kind of dog she is, but she is naturally quite thin and with her coloring I think she must be part coyote. Some think she is a whippet.<br />The first thing I did was to trace off the photo that I'd made the size I wanted. Then I transfered the drawing to the slab of basswood we had decided would work best.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-buUV9mTR1EiAGI1hMQIGaDbFnj0KF1lsGyJrzaxv3XtFPm0eztVpQlMTjFZxqmV8zc-dxN7H7BL7mGQeaG1QZyiPDMsA9yZx3l4xcKS8aiLMu4mp4T2VUmwAId1z3rf7jizG0gzPn-c/s1600-h/02+arrangement.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-buUV9mTR1EiAGI1hMQIGaDbFnj0KF1lsGyJrzaxv3XtFPm0eztVpQlMTjFZxqmV8zc-dxN7H7BL7mGQeaG1QZyiPDMsA9yZx3l4xcKS8aiLMu4mp4T2VUmwAId1z3rf7jizG0gzPn-c/s320/02+arrangement.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379984436700449874" border="0" /></a><br />Here I've clamped the wood to my workbench with some very sturdy quick-grip style clamps so it won't move while I work.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTMPSzt-meDjYY0lTI2IRAlHlWyUFsK-STaTwTO9AqiZnknyqawJrC-EZFcF8ogmnmc_wtMb96OOaUqnGxKTxsg8qTlrimgJ_GxIcAPEAhYSckUeZheJk5brGLsyLPPZKjwQ2Yi8I70QA/s1600-h/03+curls.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTMPSzt-meDjYY0lTI2IRAlHlWyUFsK-STaTwTO9AqiZnknyqawJrC-EZFcF8ogmnmc_wtMb96OOaUqnGxKTxsg8qTlrimgJ_GxIcAPEAhYSckUeZheJk5brGLsyLPPZKjwQ2Yi8I70QA/s320/03+curls.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379984884466126594" border="0" /></a><br />This shows the beautiful curls of basswood that came off the gouge as I went around the image. Like buttah. Great wood, and fun to carve with. I haven't done many relief carvings, but I do know that the background is removed first, so that is what I did. The wood is 7/8" thick so I decided to remove the ground down 1/2" to give me lots of wood to sculpt the dog's head.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVFubxozfk3z1tZLdFa7JKFFnVU0ycuid-MEBggObfTUR3stsP9RsG-Mm2IQx6eIlbMa26BT5r_HLRfzueTdY31fAPAs-v-vwwaaXQpt0G-TpH8aPACTD13NE_RfIq7aE-KJaFA0kY_Nc/s1600-h/04+background+depth.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVFubxozfk3z1tZLdFa7JKFFnVU0ycuid-MEBggObfTUR3stsP9RsG-Mm2IQx6eIlbMa26BT5r_HLRfzueTdY31fAPAs-v-vwwaaXQpt0G-TpH8aPACTD13NE_RfIq7aE-KJaFA0kY_Nc/s320/04+background+depth.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379985721099850290" border="0" /></a><br />I almost made the mistake of removing all the background and leaving the dog floating in mid air- but I remembered in time to leave enough wood to make a pillow for her to rest on. The next step will be to remove the background wood right up to the outline.Donna Menkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18257355011284349442noreply@blogger.com0