Phase 5a

July 30, 1997

An unbelievable amount of time and energy has been poured into this "week's" effort, which I don't think really shows in the picture below (and in the pic for Phase 5b). It seems that the digital camera is okay for some images but not others. It doesn't seem to be able to capture images with plenty of angled lines, shapes and shadows. Or maybe I just haven't got it quite right yet ... :)

All of the work these past weeks has been with the SMC Moto Tool and the Dremel. With the former tool I work out the lines and depths, then with the later I even out the planes. If you were to compare it to drawing: the first tool does the outline and the second shades in the image.

There are tremendous contrasts in thickness which I have attempted to use to full advantage. On the top of the head, where the antlers attach, I have created an extruded relief in 3D. Over the thinest sections along the cheek bone, I have used a shallow relief and competely removed some of the deeper sections, so that holes form part of the pattern. (Some of the holes occur naturally and I am still debating whether or not to leave them as they are or incorporate them into the design by giving them an angular shape.)

All that remains is to do some minor finishing work on this side, sand and polish the whole, and then mount the finished work. One more week, I hope!

For a look at a multiple view of the carving to date see Phase 5b. The top view is new and is combined the pictures for Phase 4 and Phase 5a(below).

Till next week...

Shane