Since last we talked about this lovespoon, I finished the piercings, hollowed the bowl, and began the other decorations. As you might remember, those decorations in the flat spots beneath and above the roundels were intended to be kolrosed.
Well, I did it.
The result was HORRIBLE! Much to my embarrassment I have posted that photo. I refuse to post the close ups! You can get close enough by just clicking on the photo. The cuts aren't straight. They overrun the borders. Too close together so pieces of wood chipped out. Disgusting! Must. Practice. More.
Well, I couldn't let THAT stand! I racked my brain trying to figure out how I could salvage this spoon. I finally decided that the best way, the ONLY way, was to relieve the wood in the kolrosed areas down to a point below the penetration of the kolrosing knife. Not as difficult or disruptive as I thought it would be. Once I was there I had to determine what to put in the blank spots. And boy, were they BLANK!
As you can see, I decided, after much deliberation, to go with diamonds in the small spaces and raised hearts above the bowl. The diamonds were a cinch, and the hearts weren't difficult at all.
After having thought about it a bit I believe that this turned out better than it would have if the kolrosing had been right on. There's nothing to distract from the wood, which the kolrosing would have done. Of course the diamonds could have been a bit more even had I planned them from the beginning, but, not bad. Not bad at all.
I was talking to someone a while ago about "adjusting" the pattern as you carved. He was of the opinion that in something as "precise" as a lovespoon the pattern couldn't be adjusted during carving. It would ruin the meaning of the knots and symbols. To that, I say, "PAH!"
What do you think about my adjustments and in-progress adjustments in general?
Next time I'll finish up the companion spoons.
Posts
What went wrong with the kolrosed areas? Did you mark the cuts off? I've yet to try this form of decoration and any information is welcome.
ReplyDeleteWhatever 10 out of 10 for the way you got it to come right.
I've often admired the work of others but we all seem reluctant to post or " little errors".
If you click on the second photo you can see an enlarged picture that shows how sloppy the kolrosing was. I overran the borders and knocked out chips and was generally sloppy. The trouble is that kolrosing looks so simple, but it still requires practice.
ReplyDeleteHey Bob, you all hit a home run with that adjustment. I personally think that even the very best kolrosing on a spoon like the ones you are doing would detract from your carving. In fact, I think what you came up with is much better.
ReplyDeleteWood carving is something I've been thinking about having a go at for a while. The spoon looks good to me.
ReplyDeleteHi, Chris. Thanks for stopping by. Woodcarving is a great art form, and it doesn't cost a lot to get started. All you need is a good, sharp knife, a piece of wood and an idea. Let me know if I can give you any help.
ReplyDeleteI had to look really hard to find ANY flaws. You are your own worst critic. ( I know I am with myself) The finished "fixed" one looks good! Glad you could salvage it! Sometimes the carving is realative. And as far as "purity of form and meaning" BAA! Most people probably don't know everything there is to know about love spoons. ( add me to the list!) They will, however, appriciate the detail and skill it takes to carve one.
ReplyDeleteBA! My spelling is horrible! I should preview BEFORE I post..
ReplyDeleteHey, Ethan, I though you were commenting on the sheeple who believe that nonsense.
ReplyDelete:)
That's "I THOUGHT" See, Ethan, you aren't the only one who should review before posting!
ReplyDelete