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scrimshaw detail

For all of you starting into scrimshaw there are certain items you needs to aquire both materials ans skills wise. I am seeing a lot of promising scrimshaw that needs to expand on detail and density. First off , instead of ink try tube acrylic paint. I like Gannon and the darkest densest black your local art store may have. Have a tissue ready, apply with a Q-tip and wipe first immediately . Then lightly moisten a tissue and wipe away balance of acrylic paint. A slightly wet Q-tip can remove stubborn areas. This will help with your color density right away

Now to the detail. Always realize the art you are doing has shape and is not flat unless it is a map. So after laying out your basic art do your detail from the focal point out. If I am doing a wolfs face I do the outline of the eyes and fill in the iris and pupil and then the hair around the eye and out from there.

When doing hair your scrim stroke should never be any longer than the hair itself would actually be. Be doing this you can again improve you density and work your way to the edge of you layout art.

All in all adding more detail will give you a more standout handle or object of art. It improves your skills because as you do more detail you will see how quickly people notice the artwork on your table and will increase the worth of you scrim. I do love doing scrimshaw but ultimately I like being paid well for it.

Kepp a sharp tip and have fun...HutcH

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rick "HutcH" Hutchings on April 23, 2013 at 8:28

Check out how you can see shape to the art with detail and density

Attachments:

199.JPG, 72 KB

Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on April 23, 2013 at 8:36

Beautiful detail!

Permalink Reply by Chuck Parham on April 23, 2013 at 14:32

Thanks for the great advice, Hutch!! I know it's missing something but it takes one with experience to point it out. I sure appreciate your kind and generous help.

Permalink Reply by Chuck Parham on April 24, 2013 at 4:24

Can you tell me what tools you use and are they commercially available? The needles and pin vise I use just don't have the right feel when I'm working with them. Do you use wax between stages while you are working a piece? I appreciate your insight greatly. Books can only show so much. Video tutorials can't answer questions you ask about what you see.

I greatly appreciate your valuable insight. I love doing Scrimshaw but when people see my work I want them to be amazed and not give it a "Oh, that's nice" response. This is an almost lost artform and I want people to know about it. I want the next generation to know there was something worth remembering and preserving about the past. I'm not looking to get rich. I'm looking to create things that someone can hold and let their thoughts take them to a place that is pleasant for them. Sorry for rambling but my passions run deep and I want to convey those feelings in my work. Thanks again Hutch!!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on April 24, 2013 at 5:26