Relief carving sequence.

[Pierre]

This is my Son's first solo carving. The original photo sequence was loaned to a local college for their mural carving class and the photos disappeared last fall.
I found some of these dupilcates but there are missing shots with only 10 of the original 25 left.
Essentially he took pictures of the Vet's animals.......... The Vet's Lab, his wife's chihuahua and the clinic blood donor cat. From the photographs he did line drawings on the carving medium. In this case it was 28# per cubic foot of 3" thick precision board carving medium. Very dense, very heavy and allows for great detail.
After the drawing, he chiseled the background and defined the images. Shaping and forming was done with chisels. The many thousands of fine hairs were done with a foredom and a needle bit.
The paints were Urethane and all of the drybrushing for highlights was done with air-brush paints.

[Pierre]

[Pierre]

This carving is 7' tall by 8' wide. I was proud of the boy for this one. I kept my hand off except for technique advice.

P

[Thor]

Hi Pierre,
First of all, thanks for posting the pictures...
then, what is 28# per cubic foot of 3" thick precision board carving medium. Is it a composit board made specifically for sign carving? I'm ignorant about such things. I'm familiar with some foam board carving material that I have samples of, but have never explored the use of.

Another question, it doesn't appear to have been primed before applying the finishing colors. Is that another quality to the carved medium?

I'm also surprised to hear about a mural carving course being taught at a local college. Is that a normal part of the curriculum? There sure isn't anything like that here.

Thanks again for posting this.
Thor

[Pierre]

And....................... Up in place on 4"x4" steel posts and framework.



P

[Pierre]

Thor, the medium is specifically made for carving. The heaviest is 35# per cubic foot........ far heavier than the densest wood pratical for carving.
The college course was and extension course for "in the round" carvers with the intent of showing that mural carving is far more difficult to portray anything with real perspective.
Priming is not necessary with this medium unless the finished piece needs to be a very smooth finish. In the case of these animals it was not necessary. We do often prime first.

[Tom-H]

First, let me thank you for the posting of the sequence. Second, I would say you have a reason to be proud of your sons work. As soon as you mentioned Foredom and a needle point burr, for the animal hair; my back went into spasms. You have given me a new appreciation of sign making. Thanks again. Tom H

[Pierre]

I allowwed the needle point only after he had spent an easy 4 hours with a veining chisel. I wanted to be assured that he had control of the chisel before learning the Foredom techinques..... and for those who don't know that........ the Foredom techniques sound easy but aren't as easy as one might think.
Thor, this medium comes as thick a two feet. When its that thick we use a fork lift to handle it.

P

[Irishman]

I had to show my 14 year old daughter these pics as she is an animal enthusiast and plans to be a vet' herself someday. Excellent work. The painting is quite impressive. Thanks for sharing.
Patrick

[Joy]

What a great photo essay. I'm glad you found the duplicates. Thanks for sharing. How long did it take him to complete the sign?