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

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.

Mystery Artist #22 – Pirate, bought in Paris France…

Posted on September 12, 2015October 19, 2015 by Andrew Perkins

Pirate scrimshawed on a whale tooth — The stance as well as the angle of the guns creates a memorable pic. He seems to be compensating for the rolling waves or has just come from the tavern, but either way it’s time to duck!

Another shot of David Weir's Pirate on a whale tooth — Clicking on the image will bring it up full size.

Mystery Artist #22 was purchased in Paris France about ten years ago. The signature appears to be “EC”, or perhaps “CC” in the lower left corner. The stance along with the “toothpick” in his mouth shows him steadying himself either due to heavy seas or perhaps he just came out of the tavern? Either way, it’s a memorable pic. Anyone who knows the artist or their whereabouts and can let us know more about them it would be greatly appreciated. it’s a wonderful piece of scrimshaw!

UPDATE – Found the original illustrator: Howard Pyle

From the late 19th to the early 20th century, Howard Pyle wrote and illustrated during this time, being one of “the founders of present-day Illustration”. A brief history can be found here: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Howard_Pyle%27s_Book_of_Pirates/Foreward

The original illustration can also be found there.

Juma – A Composite Ivory Alternative

Posted on July 14, 2015June 14, 2015 by Andrew Perkins

Block of Juma — Thick block form – great for knife handles.

What is Juma?

Juma consists of a mixture of different mineral based materials in a resin component. Unlike casein juma can be thermoformed using boiling water (according to Atlas Billiard supply. Haven’t tried it yet myself).

Where does it come from?

Sources include Atlas Billiard Supply (cuestik.com) and suppliers in Europe (cuestik.eu)

Juma-03 — It cuts well, dusting a lot like corian, but doesn’t have a scent.

How well does it cut?

Juma is a different chemical makeup – it tends to cut similar to casein though it’s chip size is similar to Corian. Juma also does not have any distinct odor when it’s sanded, unlike Casein (which smells like bone) or Corian (which smells like acrylic). According to Atlas Billiard Supply, Juma is also FDA approved and can be used for smoking pipes and kitchen utensils.

Rosebud on Juma, scrimmed and inked with color ink. — Holds ink and oil paint well if left to dry.

How well does it scrim?

Juma stipples well, cratering only slightly when stippled deeply, unlike polyester. It scribes well with a sharp tool, dusting on a long line rather than curling like ivory. Appears to be only slightly softer than ivory.

How well does it stain?

When polished, India ink and oil paint wipe off easily. If unpolished or only sanded to 400 grit the crevices will hold your pigment and make it look cloudy. Scribed and stippled lines come out crisp and well defined if the pigment is allowed to dry. Colored India inks hold well also.

Originally posted in the Scrimshaw.com Newsletter on June 14, 2015. For the latest information, tips and templates, subscribe to the newsletter – it’s low-carb, no spam, and you don’t need dramamine!

Just a quick note – Artists Page Updated

Posted on June 21, 2015 by Andrew Perkins

We’ve added a map to the Artists page (as I’ve been wanting to do for some time). The states in green are active with at least one artist linked to them on their own state page. This makes it easier for those interested to find out if there are artists in their area who may be able to do custom work. Let me know if you’re interested in having a link on the state page you reside in, I’ll be happy to add you (no charge). With enough interest I may add other countries as well. Thanks!