Post by kk on Jan 10, 2013 4:28:17 GMT -5
So after starting with the Fire Agate section 2 years ago, I knew what I wanted to do with it as the shape lends itself very clearly for it.
What stopped me from executing it at the time was no knowledge of carving at all and the need for (Ohhh horror of it all) a face.
Last week, I finally brought myself to get started by saying to myself that a mask would do just fine. I still got some fragments left over from a Turkish Dendrite Opal and started out on a pure white section in order to give it max contrast to the Fire Agate.
Started with the eyes and then went south. Gave it a more rounded face on the left in order to follow the shape of the FA and the plan to set it at an angle looking to the right.
As it turns out my guesses where far from reality and at a final size of 10.5 mm its far to big to fit into the hollow space of the FA. Will have to reshape and use it for something else in the future.
So, I put that one aside and started on the FA itself on Monday. Somehow picking up another piece of opal; but this time slightly blue. First mistake was to allow a dendrite within the face. It turns out darker than expected, yet gives another dimension to the face.
Started this time with raising nose-tip and cheeks. So bottom up. Went very quick and had a reasonable face in no time.
Here are the pics along the way up until today at 7mm. For fitting, I will have to shave off another mm, that should run to exactly a quarter of an inch.
As the FA is not yet ready (sanding polish certain parts drives me nuts), and we don't have the answer to the guessing game that is on the way at another site yet , we will need to wait till the weekend for that. chuckle02
Best regards, Kurt
What stopped me from executing it at the time was no knowledge of carving at all and the need for (Ohhh horror of it all) a face.
Last week, I finally brought myself to get started by saying to myself that a mask would do just fine. I still got some fragments left over from a Turkish Dendrite Opal and started out on a pure white section in order to give it max contrast to the Fire Agate.
Started with the eyes and then went south. Gave it a more rounded face on the left in order to follow the shape of the FA and the plan to set it at an angle looking to the right.
As it turns out my guesses where far from reality and at a final size of 10.5 mm its far to big to fit into the hollow space of the FA. Will have to reshape and use it for something else in the future.
So, I put that one aside and started on the FA itself on Monday. Somehow picking up another piece of opal; but this time slightly blue. First mistake was to allow a dendrite within the face. It turns out darker than expected, yet gives another dimension to the face.
Started this time with raising nose-tip and cheeks. So bottom up. Went very quick and had a reasonable face in no time.
Here are the pics along the way up until today at 7mm. For fitting, I will have to shave off another mm, that should run to exactly a quarter of an inch.
As the FA is not yet ready (sanding polish certain parts drives me nuts), and we don't have the answer to the guessing game that is on the way at another site yet , we will need to wait till the weekend for that. chuckle02
Best regards, Kurt
