Mouth of the Miramichi 1758

[squbrigg]

Just completed the sketch for my next relief sea scene, this one considerably larger than those I've done before. The wood is Basswood, and the dimensions are 36" x 13" x 2" thick.

The scene will represent an occasion back in local history, in 1758, when two French frigates came to the Miramichi River to protect Acadian refugees that had gathered on Beaubears Island. The refugees were survivors who escaped the British who had expelled the Acadian farmers from their property in the Bay Of Fundy region of Eastern Canada back in 1755. Some families took to the woods to escape the expulsion and French forces in Quebec were sent to offer the refugees some protection from the British forces searching for them. The situation ended in 1759 with the defeat of the French in Quebec by the English under Gen. James Wolfe. The after 1763, the remaining Acadians got to stay. Those that were expelled, some were settled along the Eastern U.S., some to Louisania and Mississippi, and some returned to France. Those that were settled in the South, they were the fore-fathers of the modern day Cajun's.

The scene shows the two frigates arriving and a couple of local Natives in their canoe out fishing, see them arrive. This one will take a while to carve, but I'll post from time to time so you can see the progress.

Bob

[squbrigg]

My first step is to relieve the background, the deepest first, in this case the sky. I could use power to do this, using a coarse round burr, but I enjoy the feel of the gouge through the wood in this, and because it is Basswood, it doen't take much strength to do it, so I'm able to. I use a #1 25mm gouge to stop cut the entire outline and the seperation between sea and sky. I then begin using a #7 sweep gouge to rough out the top layer and switch to a #5 as the depth gets deeper and I want to smooth out the surface. By the ships, I use a #9 to edge the area surrounding the vessels, as I will get into detailing them later and leave plenty of material surrounding them.

Bob

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Bob, that's really taking shape, looks good. I am with you, I also like the feel of the gouge going thru the wood.
Dave

[pallin]

Bob - it looks like a great design and a real challenge. Since there is quite an expanse of sky, perhaps you could include some light clouds. Do you plan to carve the frame as part of the relief? I did a piece at few years ago called "kayakers in Maine" (see gallery)

[rales]

I agree with Pallin on the clouds! I'd also challenge you to use the depth of the wood you have to work with - if you have 2", use it... It looks like you are down about 1/2" so far - you should be able to go at least 1" if not 1-1/4... make those ships pop! Depth is your friend

I really like the design...

rales

[squbrigg]

Some good pointers, thank you. You'll just have to wait and see how it developes. It is in the early stages yet. A lot could change. Lots of wood to play with on this one. I haven't decieded about the frame yet, there is a edge split on the bottom left that I have to consider, so time will tell. I'm open to all suggestions in the mean time.

Bob

[Ron T]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the history on the project's subject and for the step by step approach to the carving. This may work out to be a very nice tutorial.

[markken5889]

This looks like a really great project Bob. Thanks for taking the time to take, and post the pictures. I'm looking forward to your next installments.

Mark

[Kenny_S]

The only suggestion form me Bob, is,,,,,,,,, quit typing and get carving.LOL
As usual, waiting to see the end results on this one. Looks like another one of your great carvings.

[squbrigg]

Progress, though slow, is being made. I enjoy taking my time on something like this, cause I get to feel that smooth slide of a sharp gouge through wood. Refreshing!!! So bear with me while I enjoy it.

Did some roughing on the sea surface and outlined the canoe.

Bob