My next carving/gilding project has been found. I took this photo somewhere in Spain(Salamanca?) and will concentrate on sizing it to fit an 8X11" plaque, retaining proportionality, of course. This was above a doorway/window in the city. Stay tuned.

 

Staying tuned Frederick for sure, I love the journeys you share here with us, great craftsmanship, by hand, and by eye, please report back on the stages of this project Frederick, thanks for sharing!

'ol John has a way with words.  I second every one of them!

Yep, I'm waiting also....I,m just coasting on my carving right now so watching your progress might get me in the mood again!

Here's some photos of today's progress. I'm using a 1 7/8" thick blank of basswood(thanks again Lew) sized to fit the photocopy of the shell. Laying out the drawing even though I've traced the outline, is always a challenge for me. I've used a combination of bandsaw/scollsaw work to cut out the profile. This is followed up by files/sandpaper to "fine tune" the profile. The final profiling will be done with the appropriate gouges when carving. I always attach my carvings to an oversize board, this allows me to carve down and define the edges without blowing out the lower edges. I make this board by gluing /screwing down an octagonal block, underneath with cardboard, that my bench vise grips for the initial carving. I will attach this board, minus this block, to my carving arm for the final, detailed cuts. My attachment procedure for the basswood is basically the same as for the octagon. I use a folder cardboard glued between the wood and the basswood so that I may separate the carving after the carving is all done. Once everything is dry, I can start the carving process and won't remove the carved basswood until all of the carving is done.

Following your process and progress. Thanks for the mounting tips.

After doing several projects for the neighbors, I've finally been able to resume carving. The problem that I'm having is gauging the proportionality of the depth of the different areas of the carving to carve.

 

Managed to get in a little more carving. This is just the preliminary carving, lots more to come,  and there will be some major touchups done, on this carving, before gilding takes place.

Here's today's progress.... some sanding/touchups and then onto the top "crown'.

Finally had time to finish(almost) the carving of this window/door decoration. This shows the switch to my Power-R-Arm carving arm and this arm allows me to pivot, turn, and twist the carving to any orientation for carving.

 

This shows the almost-completed carving and what I have left to do is a light sanding and touching up the corners with the appropriate gouges. Next, I'll give this, and the plaque, two sealing coats of shellac with sanding in between. I will say that the basswood that I've used leaves at lot of "fuzzy" grain and tear out on the end grain. The shellac should allow me to get rid of the fuzzies!

Looking real good!

Frederick, you are really bringing that picture to life! 

In the one pic you have given us a glimpse of a piece of your shop.  I would like to see more

Here's the plaque and shell together. Some final sanding, then the painting/gilding can begin.

Wow, that is super!

Wow!!!

I've had a minor setback with my project. The plaque, which had two sealer coats of shellac applied(front and back) has cupped down about 1/4" from the top edges. I tried to "reverse" the cup but without any luck. When I applied the moldings around the perimeter of the plaque, I applied them to the face of the board. I'll make the new one with applying the moldings to the sides of the board. Hopefully this will prevent cupping. This is the first time that this has happened in 13 of these carvings that I've done.

New plaque made and the painting/gilding/finishing can now begin.

Process of gessoing(?) the shell/frame is finished.

I've done some of the sizing and have added some gold leaf to those areas. I'll use a fine brush to lay/push the leaf into place. Touch ups will be done as necessary.

The gold leaf has been "smoothed down" and touched up. I'll come back and use a fine cotton cloth/fingers to achieve a smoother look. Hope to finish the shell tomorrow then, it's on to the frame for the leaf.

Shell carving completed and ready to hang!

That looks awesome.