Acanthus Clock Pics and Video

This is my version of Rolf Taraldset's Acanthus clock. I started working on it last year and posted some progress pics. In between moving to a new home and other things, I worked on this off and on over the year. This is also the first time I ever attempted to do any kind of lettering. I was nervous doing it as it was the last step and I could have really ruined the whole piece with one slip. I am happy to say that I am pleased with the results. I will try to incorporate lettering in future projects.

Below is a link for a Youtube video showng the stages. (I used some lighter music on this one based on some suggestions) As always thanks for stopping by!

Joe

My first youtube video!!!

Ladybugs on Foliage

Another one of my slow movers I'm working on. I haven't finished this one or the Acanthus clock yet as life gets in the way of my hobby. I really wanted to try a high relief/ pierced relief and play with foliage. This is about 2" high and the lowest spot (the flowers) are about 1/4" the ladybugs are about the size of a dime just to give you an idea.

Some detail on the face

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I started to add some detail on the face or rim of the clock. I will now start to focus more on cleaning up. It's taken me a lot longer than I thought just to get to this point. I did learn a good lesson out of it. Make sure to get all the levels correct when you rough out. I found myself trying to move on to shaping too soon. After I spent time shaping, I realized what I was working on was too high so I would bring it down some more then shape again...and again. I basically tripled the work. When I finish this one and start the next, I'll make sure I focus on levels first. It doesn’t look like I’m going to make my deadline. I’ll keep this one for my house and get a head start for next year and donate the new one.
Joe

Acanthus Clock Progress

So far so good. I started some cleaning up and will be ready to add some details soon. I’ll be working on the leaf cuts and some chip carving for the face of the clock. T minus 15 days…I hope?

 

 

Hand Carved Acanthus Clock (Work in Progess)

Hi Everyone! I started my Acanthus clock for the San Gabriele benefit. This design is based on clock by Rolf Taraldset. I saw his preview video on youtube and was blown away by this piece. If you purchase the video it comes with a pattern for the clock and in the video Rolf shows you how to carve it. I’m broke (and cheap) so I didn’t buy the video or the pattern. I made my own freehand. I would really like to buy the video in the future just so I can see “The right way” or the most efficient way to carve this piece. I’ll post a link to the preview below or you can check out www.norwegian-woodcarving.com to see it there and for info on purchasing the video and pattern.

I’m using basswood for my clock and my deadline is February 17-18^th because the event is on the 20^th. I began by cutting the blank out on the band saw after I transferred my design. Now I’m chipping away at it. I hope you enjoy!

Here is the preview for the Norwegian Wood Carving DVD

More WIP pictures

I love cherry!!!!!

I am getting ready to begin working on an Acanthus style wall clock I was commisioned to do for the annual San Gabriele benefit in february. I was going to go ahead and use basswood as usual but my father in law suggested Maple. He had a scrap piece in the workshop and although it is beautiful, it was harder than hell. Becuase of the deadline I decided working with the maple would take too long so back to basswood.
"how about cherry?" my father in law suggested.
Now, cherry is not only gorgeous but also very expensive. He happened to have a scrap piece in the shop. I started carving through it and although it's hard, the cherry wasnt as hard as the maple. I fell in love. It carves beautifully and despite the hardness of it, i found it easy to work with and very forgiving. The beautiful grain makes it easy to carve the right direction. I kept slicing away at it and after a couple of hours, i made a relief flower. Ill post the acanthus clock soon. Because time is of the essence I will use basswood for this project and then later I'll make another with cherry!