Just posted two new “reverse scrimshaw” pieces on Etsy – a lion and two leopards on water buffalo horn. Reverse scrimshaw can be a daunting task even with modern technology. Was able to keep things in perspective by starting with an image that I inverted the colors on and following the “Whaleman’s Way” – piercing through the paper to create an outline, then filling in carefully, referring to the original picture. The leopards are all stipple-dots, while the lion I experimented with scribed lines to see how it came out. Both types of scrimshaw work, though I’m leaning toward the stipple technique.
It can take a long time to get the levels right – had to go over several areas to brighten or darken the whites by creating smaller dots closer together or larger dots deeper into the horn. Clicking on the pictures will bring them up to full size.
Finished these a few weeks ago but never got them onto Etsy until today, VD sometimes gets in the way (that’s Valentine’s Day!). Engraved and hand scrimmed after cutting them out, they’re on an ivory alternative. Recently purchased some real piano key ivory from an 1800 vintage piano, but I’m holding that for some special projects that won’t be going interstate. These were fun to make, but I really want to get back to the antler buttons. Now that it’s warming up, I may be able to cut them and create some interesting jewelry.
