Question for Lora IRish

[damen]

Page 140 in your book "Classic Carving Patterns "shows an eagle which appears to be mounted or integral with a flat wall plaque.This is unclear because only part of the figure is seen.Question;Is this a 1 piece wall plaque and what is the overall shape of the plaque? Thanks, Denis M.

[Irish]

Hi Denis, That photo is of the bottom board on a wall shelf. If you look just above his left wing you can see the joint of the shelf with the back board. That shelf was a four piece construction with a back board with the lower edge of the back board cut in a long scroll line and a centrally placed half circle cut. The shelf was cut to the same length as the back board and had quarter round edges on the front edge of the shelf. Then there were two bracing boards to mounts on the 90 to give added strength to the shelf.

Susan

[damen]

Thank-you for your quick response and I understand the setup.If this were a wall mounted plaque I suppose I could start with a 3/4"base shaped outline similar to your designThe carving would consist of a 1/2" or 3/4"laminate addition rough bandsawn to carving outline and then glued in place before finish carving,etc.Maybe use mahogony ,woodburn feathers,and details,but only paint flag beak tassels crest,etc.Would this work?Any advice or critique?Thanks Denis M.

[Irish]

Great idea! I think the only change if I were make it would be to do the plaque in sugar pine. Mahogany can become quite dark very quickly with its natural rusty toned patina. That could overpower your pyro work in just a few years. Mahogany patina can even go into the deep purple reds.

Sugar pine has a wonderful even grain and seems to take longer to develop its natural orange tone patina.

Susan

[damen]

Hello Susan; Will take your advice to use a light wood.I have chosen German Beech for its light color and absence of grain.Quite dense and polishes great with a minimum finsh coating.Its been my choice on Liege style carved panels" a la Patrick Damiaens'."Will have to check how it accepts woodburning but the Colwood Burner wont arrive till Saturday. Cheers and thanks again. Denis