It's been a very busy last two months with yard/garden/house repair work to be done for spring. Not much time with the computer or anything else! In addition to this my wife and I spent 3 weeks(Apr-May) traveling in Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. In Morocco, we did an afternoon 4-wheeled drive in the Sahara desert, meet up with a Berber tribe for a sunset camel ride through the dunes. The last photo verifies our camel ride!

 

The shell is taken from a book on Eugene Landon's work and is a shell carved by him for a Chippendale Table. When completed, it will get gilded, as well as the plaque.

 

 

Blank is cut out and some of the pattern is laid down. It's hard to see any detail, from my photocopy, and some guessing will be taking place.

On 6/6/2022 at 11:10 AM, FrederickH said:

In addition to this my wife and I spent 3 weeks(Apr-May) traveling in Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. In Morocco, we did an afternoon 4-wheeled drive in the Sahara desert, meet up with a Berber tribe for a sunset camel ride through the dunes. The last photo verifies our camel ride!

 

This is completely awesome Dale! What a neat trip and I know this carving is going to be wonderful as well, I absolutely love your camel ride image!

On 6/6/2022 at 2:10 PM, FrederickH said:

The last photo verifies our camel ride!

Well as long as you didn't have to "walk a mile for a camel"

Missed this post somehow. Sounds like you've been quite busy with your travels. Greatly appreciate you sharing about your journey and especially the camel ride picture.

 

Looking forward to following this carving. Good progression thus far.

Continuing this shell carving amidst a complete kitchen replacement. Most of the work, on my end, is now done and the contractor starts on Monday for the tear-out of the cabinets/flooring. All of the appliances have found good homes as well as the cabinets. We'll be without a kitchen for 3+ weeks.

Really taking form now. Hope the kitchen remodel stays on schedule.

 Beautiful! Subscribed! 

 

I read that Peter O'Toole started the habit of using foam pads on camel saddles during filming of Lawrence of Arabia 

 

Can you share details about the type of wood - basswood? - and specifics on your tools? Do you use a mallet or is your carving mostly freehand?

 

How do you keep your chisels sharpened?

 

Thank you!

Most awesome Frederick!

Very slow process on this carving There's been a lot going on here, including 3 deaths in the near family. The pectin shell awaits detailing before finishing can proceed.

8 hours ago, FrederickH said:

There's been a lot going on here, including 3 deaths in the near family

Condolences and peace to all.

Coming along nicely Frederick!

Shell is all but detailed carved. It's amazing how a photograph can bring out small mistakes that beg to be corrected. I'll do some touch ups and then seal, sand. seal, sand, gesso, sand, gesso, sand, add sizing, and then lay the gold/silver leaf. Once this is done, I'll turn a 10 1/2" plaque to mount the carving to. The plaque will get paint and gilding!

Really appreciate your attention to detail Frederick. Your patience 'ain't half bad either. 

Awesome carving!  The detail is fantastic!  I enjoyed following this and please accept my condolences on your losses.

Shell is coming along. I've added gesso(yellow) for the gold leafing areas(shell and plaque) and I'm going to use silver leaf(blue) for the inside shell. I'll lightly sand everything tomorrow and apply the last coats of gesso before starting to lay some leaf.

Awesome...just awesome!

Another masterpiece. 

Managed to get most of the gilding done today. I'll burnish the gold leaf later tonight and lay down the silver leaf tomorrow on the inner shell.

Spectacular Frederick! If I didn't know it was carved wood, it could be mistaken for poured gold. The silver leaf is really going to make this "pop!"

Finished and ready to find a place on the wall. I'm also including a photo of the "basics" that I've used for this project.