scrimshaw.com - An Ancient Art on Eco-Friendly Materials

Busy busy!

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Andrew Perkins

We have been very busy with work, so much so that I haven’t had much time to scrimshaw – which is hard on me in a number of ways at this time of year. I have been able to create some Christmas gifts that I still need to wrap, and I’ve been able to sell some of the blank ivory alternative ivory bookmarks at our Paul’s Sugar House where local artisans sell their wares this time of year (hard not to spend any profits on all the wonderful artwork, pottery, ornaments, etc. there!)

In the upcoming newsletter I’ll be sharing my findings working with deer antler. I’d happened on someone who works for the highway department nearby who had some extras, so I’ll be setting about sanding some of the tips down and polishing them to scrimshaw.

Jason Webb has been busy too, with his latest scrimshaw on pre-embargo elephant ivory which is to the right. Several other scrimshanders have been busy too, and if you’d like a mention, let me know – I’ll squeeze you in when I can. Jason’s page is in chronological order, so if you scroll to the very bottom you can click on the pictures there to see nice hi-resolution images

Scrimshaw Piano Keys – Personalized

Posted on November 30, 2015November 30, 2015 by Andrew Perkins

Creating scrimshaw piano key bookmarks in two varieties: “Heads” and “Tails”. Each come with a double satin ribbon tail and either a name or initials of your choice. Available through the Etsy.com store. They’re made from piano key top replacements that are legal in all states so no one in New York or New Jersey (or California) will be exempt. I also have real ivory piano key heads and tails in very short supply, if interested and legal in your state, email me and I can create a custom scrimshaw of your choice. Click on the picture to go to the etsy.com store.

Starting a New Scrimshaw

Posted on October 25, 2015November 5, 2015 by Andrew Perkins

Galalith cabochon taped behind the image of a lighthouse — Galalith taped behind the image

Finally starting a new piece of scrimshaw! It’s been awhile, and I needed something away from most of the electronics. With the phone in my back pocket and turned off so I don’t accidentally dial anyone (“Sorry, I fat – er – fingered the phone and hit your number….”). I started the lighthouse that I really liked by Dennis Jarvis (see previous post). Sadly the crashing waves to the left are off the picture, but I may take artistic license and create similar waves closer to the lighthouse itself.

I debated on whether or not to sketch it on, but with such a tight schedule I opted for the “Whaleman’s Way” – putting the “tooth” shaped piece of galalith behind the picture, securing it in place and piercing through the picture. After a few more pieces I’ll probably sketch something on a piece and go totally freehand.

lighthouse image on paper, pierced through the lines into the galalith underneath — Pierced Lighthouse

It doesn’t take a lot of pressure to get through and make an indentation. As you do more pieces you get a feel for the right amount. Most of my stipple-dots are pretty even, thanks in part to the modified Coulter Precision scribe (via Etsy). I’ve tried a steel point with another project I’m working on, though the length makes it difficult to do perpendicular dots with my current low-power microscope (if anyone wants to buy me an opti-visor for Christmas, I’ll gladly call you Santa!).

Lighthouse stippled onto galalith cabochon next to a quarter — Lighthouse initial phase completed.

Wiping away a small smear of oil paint revealed not only the lighthouse, but a small scratch that will become a distant cloud when I’m done. That’s all for tonight, back to the 12-14 hour days I currently call my week. Will post further as the lighthouse takes shape.

Clicking on the pictures will reveal them in full size.

2015-11-01

Scrimshaw lighthouse on galalith with tool to the right — Roof and lines darkened

Darkened in the roof and lines, added some initial shading to the building itself. May continue on as it’s cold and wet outside, and I need to take a break from the computer today. My hands are doing better after decorating 50+ cookies for my daughter’s school’s “Men Who Cook” event. My wife (who is the owner of hilltowncookies.com) needed help since she baked the cookies along with her mom and her hands ache more than mine making the cookies themselves. Piping the decorative icing on the cookies took about four hours, but they came out great.

Lighthouse scrimshaw on galalith with a quarter to the right to show the scale — Added some shading and started in on the shoreline.

Added more shading this afternoon and worked in the wave at the edge. Note to self: don’t make the horizon line during initial scrim – I could have had larger waves crashing if I hadn’t done that. This is going to be one of those pieces where I will go over the whole thing several times darkening areas to add more detail, then darkening other areas to balance it. It’s a good piece to get my hand and eyes back in shape, since I have a couple of large pieces coming up. I’m still debating on lines, stipples or a combination on the large piece, and I still have the Kraken ogling me to my left, so when I finish this one, he’s next!

Finally done, on a faux leather 20″ necklace. Added the clouds and the seagull, all done in stipple style with the exception of the initials. Now: on to the Kraken!

Lighthouse Done — Subtle clouds in the background and the ever-present seagull. On a faux leather necklace.

Lighthouse Template from “Scrimspirations 2”

Posted on October 10, 2015October 25, 2015 by Andrew Perkins

Lighthouse with waves crashing to the left — CC-SA Dennis Jarvis

Below is the template from the October 2015 Newsletter. I try to include at least one template or pattern per newsletter to either use or inspire you to create a piece of scrimshaw. It’s fun and easy, and if you’re like me, you tend to get lost in the work for awhile. Best of all, you have something to show once you’ve finished! Clicking on the link will open a .pdf you can print out as a reference or as a template. Use color, black and white or just set it near your workplace and begin to sketch. Special thanks to Dennis Jarvis for providing the image under the Creative Commons share alike license!

I just released the second “Scrimspirations” templates on Etsy.com (Scrimspirations 2: Tall Ships and Sea Life) – twenty seven templates you can use to create a piece of scrimshaw on mammoth ivory, alternative ivory, mother of pearl (see Anita’s work on facebook for a beautiful example), a lightswitch cover, drawer pull… the list goes on for things you can scrimshaw!

Louisbourg Lighthouse Scrimshaw Template:
Louisbourg Lighthouse – Dennis Jarvis – Share-Alike-pdf

ScrimshawAddiction.com – Where Passion Drives Creativity

Posted on September 20, 2015October 19, 2015 by Andrew Perkins

Tiger scrimshaw on display stand — *Rod Lacey’s “Wet and Wild”*

While the word “addiction” often conjures up negative images of a dependency on a substance, it is also defined as “enthusiastically devoted to a particular thing or activity.” It is in the latter definition that Rod Lacey has his addiction to scrimshaw. His site, scrimshawaddiction.com is not only an information site but also an illustrated diary of some of his beautiful work. In his “Scrimshaw Walkthroughs” section, Rod shows you from start to finish not only his abilities as a scrimshaw artist, but as an innovative craftsman as well, showing his unique presentation stands from concept to finished piece.

Bluefin tuna scrimshaw on custom stand — *Rod’s custom stands are unique and innovative.*

Rod has plenty of tips and ideas for where to get ivory, how to scrimshaw, scrimshaw shortcuts and more. His site is worth a morning coffee’s worth of relaxing and reading for both the scrimshander and the scrimshaw enthusiast.

He has also mastered the technique of acetone transfer – a time-saving way to transfer a stable image onto the surface of the ivory to begin the initial task of scribing the outline onto the material. Either due to impatience or improper technique, I have yet to do this with any consistency – but I’ll keep trying.

Partial sequence of "Bamboo Tiger" walkthrough — *Just a couple of images from ScrimshawAddiction.com Walkthrough*.

Rod and I had corresponded via email a couple of times, and he had shown interest in Galalith, the casein-based ivory alternative that is still one of my favorites. He bought a special order 3″ x 4″ panel, I sent it off to him sure that he’d send me a picture or two of some of his finished work in due time. After a little over one month, I got a small package from Queensland, Australia. Inside was a note from Rod and a finished, full-color portrait of me from the back of my book “Scrimshaw? But I Can’t Draw!” completely covering the 3″ x 4″ panel. I was shocked and elated that he took the time and considerable effort to create the piece, as well as fascinated and impressed by his work (I was also grateful that he gave me a little more hair). Rod’s abilities as a scrimshaw artist as well as a painter (inker?) shows an extreme attention to detail and a keen eye for color and shading.

While I have scrimshawed for over thirty years, my collection is truly meager, having only a few pieces from my original teacher and a couple of pieces of my own on various materials.

Scrimshaw Portrait of Andrew Perkins by Rod Lacey — *Am I Narcissistic or is that a great likeness of me?*

This piece is one of those few that I will be coveting.

Rod’s artwork can be seen at his site scrimshawaddiction.com. You can contact him via his contact page on the site.