Update on my latest burning

Pyrographer · #11 12-28-2007, 09:49 PM

I couldn't leave her without a face so I've done a bit of work on it today. Still muddling along and I doubt this is going to be done in time to custom frame it before we leave. I'm not going to rush just to get it framed so I'll just put it in a nice read-made frame and take it as it is.

I still have lots of detail work on the face and more on the blanket to fine tune it but I'm making headway. I did sketch (with burner) in some guide lines for the eyebrows and some detail lines in the face for shading and deepened the shading on the sides of her face while working on the mouth and nose. Unfortunately some of the depth of the shading is not showing up on the right side of the blanket

and the shading on her face but at least she's almost got a mouth and nose . Still lots to do on the face but it's starting to shape up!

More work this weekend...........who knows I might actually be productive in addition to packing, cleaning and dog grooming.

Nedra

Iowa Carver · #12 12-28-2007, 10:26 PM

Incredible Nedra. I love the post as you go along that you have done here. I would walk away and call it done but I trust that you kind of know what you are doing

Did you use the 5MP shader on most of this burn including the facial lines?

Corey

Pyrographer · #13 12-28-2007, 11:14 PM

Actually Cory, this is stage 15 so you're not seeing it all...just a few select shots. The complete WIP tutorial is on my site if you wish to take a peek. http://www.nedradenison.com/Pyrograp...ingEyesWIP.htm

There are two other WIP tutorials as well if you want to look. One is an eagle and the other was a commission I did several years ago. I had set up a private page for my client to see the progress as I went along and then eventually turned it into a public WIP.

I used the HD5MP Bent Spear shader for everything except the blackets areas on the right. In those areas I used my trusty 30 Watt Wall Lenk single temperature burner. So, basically I used that shader for all the detail work and tend to use it for about 95% of my work.

I'm a bit anal so I tend to be a little nit-picky about what I do. When I think it's done (and it's not there by any stretch...still lots of work on the face) I'll set it aside standing up in the living room so I can look at it while I'm relaxing in front of the tube and if I haven't found anything that needs fixing after a few days I'll sign my name to the front and title and signature on the back and apply the finish. In this case I will sign my full name and date on the front and since it will be framed and nobody will see the back unless they take it out of the frame I will put the information on back of the framed piece and sign it in ink. If it's not being framed I'll burn it into the back.

Nedra

Iowa Carver · #14 12-29-2007, 10:31 AM

Great Work In Progress Nedra thanks. Looking forward to the finished job!

Corey

Kenny_S · #15 12-29-2007, 12:19 PM

Ah, Beautiful Nedra. Love it.

Pyrographer · #16 12-29-2007, 09:45 PM

Thanks everyone. Today we went to the framer and found a great frame...after almost 2 hours of looking, back and forth with the samples, etc. Not an easy task

. But after looking at lots of options and then making tough decisions of glass vs no glass, we finally made the final decision and it's so nice I'm taking Chief Joseph in to have him redone. The frame he's in now just doesn't cut it. I was in a rush to get it done for a show, was just getting on my feet from foot surgery and was still in cast and just didn't have the patience or stamina to keep looking. I should have just waited until I was up to spending time finding just the right one. Oh well! Live and learn and I can't complain because I have enjoyed looking at him but will enjoy it more now when he's done.

My pearls of wisdom for today...do not rush to get a piece done, it's not worth it

AND don't just pick out a frame. Make sure you have the right one. A frame can make or break a piece.

I am not going to rush this one so if she's not done to my satisfaction by Tuesday, she's going to get framed when I get back. If she is not finished then Joe is going in for framing first and she will be done when I get back. That way I can take the time to finish it right! Right now he has enough material to do one so she has first priority if done because Joe can go as he is.

I will take a photo of the Chief in his old coat and his new one and let you be the judge of what rushing versus taking your time does for a burning (or any artwork)....

Tomorrow I'm HOPING to spend as much time as I can to finishing her. I pray I have no more distractions like today.

Nedra

GeorgiaCarver · #17 12-30-2007, 09:01 AM

Tremendous job. Faces are hard for me. You did an excellent job on this one. Thank you for the step-by-step tutorial.

Geg

Pyrographer · #18 12-31-2007, 09:46 PM

Done! Well, almost but mostly just have to do a double check tomorrow for last minute changes, then apply the finish and off to the framer on Wednesday. The scanner is not showing the definition very well. I may try to take a photo tomorrow with the digital camera and then will do one with the frame.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE...we're heading down to our community party shortly!

Nedra

chpster90bu · #19 12-31-2007, 10:19 PM

WOW!! What an artistic achievement, Nedra. You captured that beautifully. I am astounded at how real she looks....and the shadings in the cloth are just unbelievable! I want to be just like you when I grow up!! LOL Seriously, I can't wait to take down my tree, and delve into my Pyrography 101 and other things I got for Christmas. I am hoping to finally learn how to burn correctly. Of course, learning and application are two seperate things! Again, a beautiful burning! Bonnie

Pyrographer · #20 01-01-2008, 10:55 AM

Thank you Bonnie but I hope you never grow up but if you have to I guess it's good to have some goals for when that happens....

Here is a better photo of her but I'm going to soften under the nose and work on the chin a bit more today. But taking the photo outside before the sun starts casting shadows really does a better job of providing the right lighting so the depth of shading shows up better...including the areas that need some touching up.

Nedra