WWA Info Exchange

rtcat · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:57 pm Post subject: Latest piece

Once again I find myself doing more trolling on WWA than contributing. This summer a major influenza for mountain biking developed in our household, so shop time was compromised, but now snow is starting to fly and fun shop work has started again. Here's the latest...from a class I taught out of the shop some time ago. Simple to look at but full of details to build. Curious to know what you do and don't like about it.

See "Overall view"

See "Knee shell detail"[/img]

Rapid Roger · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:40 pm Post subject:

To be honest, it's not my cup of tea design wise BUT, I do see the work and attention for detail and it is BEAUTIFUL!!
Very classy and WAY beyond my skill level.
It is indeed something to be very proud of.

Rog
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beginnerwoodworker · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:18 pm Post subject:

Nice work!
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OldNewbie · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:32 pm Post subject:

I like it!

Verna · Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:44 pm Post subject:

Well, as Roger said, not my style of furniture...BUT, I can certainly appreciate all of the work you put into the.....footstool, right?

The carvings look identical on all of the legs, the curves on the legs just make you want to feel the wood and the curves, and it is a priceless piece of art!!

Verna
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Photos

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DennisS · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 12:07 am Post subject: Re: Latest piece

If that's all done by hand, and I have no reason to believe it wasn't, I'm floored!

turnpike · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 4:19 am Post subject:

From its proportions I was thinking a Piano Stool?

Nice job. Too ornate for my personal taste but I love the skill and workmanship you've put into it. Cool

Ray
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reelinron · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 8:21 am Post subject:

You my friend are an artist and I am jealous of your carving skills! Wink

That is some really nice work there!
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Jess · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:28 am Post subject:

I think it is very fine work, indeed. The overall proportions, carving, and finish work are excellent and show a high level of skill and dedication to detail. Kudos to you.

Like the others, I am somewhat puzzled by the knob. It seems to detract from the design unless there is some need for it to be there. I would also like to hear more details of the work and materials involved, and a picture with something showing size.
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Jess

more photos

rtcat · Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:56 am Post subject:

Thanks for the comments all.

This is a footstool and is based largely on one by John Elliot now owned by the PA Historic Society. It's about 14" high and 17" wide. The wood is mahogany and the finish is die, glaze and shellac (not necessarily in that order).

It's basically a complete hand effort. Except for some bandsawing, everything was shaped by rasps, carving gouges and a series of hand planes. I couldn't imagine how one would do it with power tools...it's a good skill builder.

There's no drawer or knob. The center shell is applied directly to the rail for ornamentation as per the original. I can see why one might see it as too busy or taking away from knees and feet; however, when you're looking down from viewing height it adds rather than distracts.

My rip on the piece is that it looks a little overweight...just a bit bulky. It's not terrible, but should look a little lighter. Smaller knee blocks would have helped significantly. It sounds like Dennis picked up on this too. The other thing I don't like is the patination. It seems like I get close to making something look old but never close enough to look authentic.....kind of frustrating. Anyone know of classes for such a thing?

Anyway, if you're into carving, there's a series of videos on YouTube I posted on the feet and knee shell. The school bulletin board has even more info.

Thanks again for your feedback.

DDD · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:26 am Post subject:

Beautiful!!

The details are just stunning. Very nicely done.
Darryl

builder-bob · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 12:55 pm Post subject:

I think you did a fabulous job!! Certainly shows your skill level and attention to detail. Big slap on the back! You did good!!!

Bob

Mark Valsi · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 1:10 pm Post subject:

NOT My cup of tea either, but a fantastic piece.

great craftsmanship !!

Lawrence · Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 11:04 pm Post subject:

Stunning, beautiful, and WAAAAY past my skill level of workmanship. LOML and I have a couple of pieces in the chippendale style, so I really appreciate and enjoy your wonderful efforts. I am not famillar with the work of John Elliott (so I googled him) and found very little on him other than some old museum pamphlets. What I did see seemed to have a higher "pose" than your piece-- your stool appears to have a stance more in common with some european works I found online... but I am only speculating here... either way I love the work, the upholstery, and overall feel of the piece very much-- even the "eagle's codpiece"

I understand your reluctance to accept the finish... but just think, it'll have a perfect patina in 50 years or so! (as long as you put it near a fireplace, by an open window, and in a smoky room)

Great job, please share more pics if you have them!
Lawrence

CC · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:52 am Post subject:

rtcat,

Beautiful chisel and gouge work. Lot's of patience there. I have to agree with you it looks a little on the bulky side............but your comments about lightening up the knees would do much to correct that. But you sure don't have to back up to the paymaster for your efforts. Nice work.
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www.chrischristenberry.com

NB George · Veteran Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 770

Well, the legs must have some strength, which means bulk. If you have a small top, the legs will look a bit hefty by comparison, but better that than sitting on it and crashing to the floor.

Looks great. I bought Marlow's book when I got my carving tools, and I had to make one just to try. It was the one and only. To make number two takes a lot of courage.

I've liked the look I get from rubbing artist's oils into the carvings or distressing and then wiping off the high and wear spots, leaving the darker details. It's an oil glaze, so you have to be careful on the oil-based overcoats. Think of it as the dreaded "wax buildup." Some people even glaze with colored wax. What'd you use?

rtcat · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:59 am Post subject:

George,

Using artist oils sounds like a good approach -- never heard of that before. In the past I used gel stain in a similar fashion, and am ok with that look but it always appears glossy or at least semi-glossy which didn't look as authentic to me. This time I tried spraying shellac with earth pigments (dirt) in it and then rubbing back with a hot pad...ideally this would leave a more natural matte shading. Problem was that I burnt through my glaze in some areas and had to reglaze which basically gave me a semi-gloss look again. Had I been more careful with the rub-back, the shellac and pigment approach worked nicely. I need to be a little more thoughtful on how much aging is left on the piece and also start learning how to distress. Then I suppose oxidizing some areas to give a real gradient effect would be the next step.....so much to learn and it goes slowly on our own. Where did you learn?

-joel

NB George · Veteran Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 770

Couple articles in ancient FWW, if memory serves, and help from an local gentleman who had apprenticed in Germany. He used to do it on architectural stuff in restaurants and bars. Still had his apprenticeship documents, complete with the swastikas, indenturing him, as well as his certificates of completion and qualification.

A search on "antiquing" will give you a good base of techniques (mostly for painted) to practice with.