Davinci Project- Proto-type completed

[ragiarn]

Yesterday I finally finished the proto-type for my Davinci project.


It consists of 100 pieces cut with a scrollsaw, contoured and shaped using various sanding tools. It stands 17 inches tall (hooves to ears) and 17 inches long (nose to tail). The wood is ash. The finish is several coats of shellac.

There are a lot of mistakes which you can't see- To do this project I had to make two different patterns - one for each side. I have included the photos of the original Davinci horse which I used to make the patterns. To add to the difficulty the two photos were from different angles so trying to get both patterns the same size was a little more difficult.

I had to make a number of adjustments during the cutting and shaping of the parts hence the mistakes. Looks good at a distance but would not stand up to close scrutiny. I used ash because it is easy to work with (soft) and readily available and relatively cheap.

I will use this prototype to make the final plans for a hardwood version of the horse. I will probably make the final Davinci horse in Hickory

Doc

[CanadianScroller]

Whoahhh Nellie that is awesome!
That is a brilliant idea and a brilliant rendition of it.

If I could I would give you three thumbs up.
Way to go Doc!

[Chase]

Originally Posted by ragiarn

I will use this prototype to make the final plans for a hardwood version of the horse. I will probably make the final Davinci horse in Hickory

Doc

There are not enough adjectives to describe this. Really, really something different.

Why Hickory? Just curious.

Chase

[ragiarn]

My intentions was to use Hickory because of the grain and the cream colored look the finished project would have. However today I went to a local milner and was able to look through their "shorts"pile. I found a large number of 2' pieces of mahogony with a very nice grain and I have changed my mind and most likely make the horse in mahogany. I have not decided yet what to use for the mane and the the tail. Possibly wenge.

Doc

[workin for wood]

It's interesting and looks great but I have to ask...why the hundred pieces? Why not one piece? It's so far into the carving realm of things that it seems like it's alot of work to separate and put pieces back together. I can understand lopping off the tail and replacing it with a different wood species..that much I got, and even a mane too, but with the main part of the horse being an all dimensional stand alone carving, I'm not understanding the reasoning. You ever look into Ian Norbury and his techniques? I bought all his books and have been studying, reading and practicing with them. His subject matter generally is not everyones cup of tea, but it certainly is mine, and regardless of what he makes, his techniques can be put to other works. Sure wish I could afford to go study with him.

[minowevie]

WOW,,,Doc,,, you did a great job. gosh I would love to try this. it is outstanding for sure. what a project. I can see how you must have tryed to figuer both sides. one side would have been hard enouph, for me. that is cool. love it for sure. your friend Evie

[ragiarn]

Originally Posted by workin for wood

It's interesting and looks great but I have to ask...why the hundred pieces? Why not one piece? It's so far into the carving realm of things that it seems like it's alot of work to separate and put pieces back together.
I can understand lopping off the tail and replacing it with a different wood species..that much I got, and even a mane too, but with the main part of the horse being an all dimensional stand alone carving, I'm not understanding the reasoning.

While you may feel that this akin to carving or sculpting, both patterns (right and left side of horse) were made using intarsia techniques- ie individual pieces cut and shaped using the scroll saw and sanding. I did it this way for the same reason most of us do intarsia instead of bas-relief carving or scultping.

Using my patterns I could do two separate intarsia pieces (right side and left side) which was what I in effect did (well not exactly) but put them together to form one end product.

I would love to have the skill to be able to carve the same horse from a single piece of wood but I don't possess the skills for that kind of work.

Originally Posted by workin for wood

You ever look into Ian Norbury and his techniques? I bought all his books and have been studying, reading and practicing with them. His subject matter generally is not everyones cup of tea, but it certainly is mine, and regardless of what he makes, his techniques can be put to other works. Sure wish I could afford to go study with him.

After reading your post I checked out his website- his work is truly beautiful. I wish I could be that talented. For now cutting the individual pieces and shaping them is a lot easier for me.

Doc

[Gaia]

Doc,

That is absolutly beautiful!

Bobbi

[workin for wood]

I understand, but have to disagree. You do have the skills, you just lack the confidence. You are putting yourself in the position where its like you are a kid on the edge of the diving board not sure if you can actually dive even though you practiced it in your room a thousand times. Time to just fall forward..you'll either dive or belly smack, lol. See..intarsia, and even better, the form you are taking which isn't really intarsia, is a great way to develope yourself. What you have there is exactly what carvers do but to a greater extent because a wood carver only replaces pieces that would be a different color, not ones that are the same wood. You obviously have some carving tools, perhaps some cheap carving chisels or knives or rotary tools. Any or all is perfect. Grab some basswood and carve yourself something. There's tons of free patterns with instructions online. A gnome head would be a good start, or a wood spirit. You will be shocked at what you will do with simple online instruction and the knowledge that you don't even realize you already possess. Be sure and sign up too at the wood carving site that is also Fox Chapel. Don't leave us, I'm not saying to do that. I'm just saying you are over ready to take that plunge. Like an over ripe tomato ready to burst in the sun. I think many others here will attest to that.

I'm not saying either that carving is better than scrolling, just in case someone interprets it that way. Carving is a completely different skill, and like any skill, you put them all together and you are a force to be reckoned with! For Ragiorn..limiting how many cuts you make will make for a better product. The more cuts you make on a see-through project like this, the harder it is to seam all the cuts. With intarsia, just real close is good enough because the backer will stop light from shining through.

[Fremmed]

Wow! That is something special. You did an amazing job. Props.