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

Bee Eater Scrimshaw on Mammoth Ivory and on a Lightswitch

Posted on November 11, 2012November 11, 2012 by Andrew

Bee-Eater on Mammoth Ivory, Andrew Perkins, 2010

Bee Eater Scrimshaw on Mammoth Ivory and on a Lightswitch

The Williamsburg Church Fair has come and gone, and I couldn’t squeeze in the time to create a Williamsburg themed scrimshaw. So instead, I brought along a Bee Eater Scrimshaw on Mammoth Ivory. The fair went well, they were able to raise over $6,000, though I’m sure my scrimshaw only did a fraction of a percentage of that much. The hasty picture I shot was in a frame that I removed since I couldn’t get the glass clean – something left a film on it I couldn’t get rid of.

I had done one bee eater on a lightswitch before I had done the one on the mammoth ivory (pictured). They were both done in stipple style. The light switch took an incredible amount of time as I remember, I was pleased when I moved back over to the ivory. Light switches are made of nylon, which is a lot harder than ivory, and I did not have my trusty Coulter precision scrimshaw tool at the time. I will have to do another lightswitch using this tool to see how it works.

I have a few scrimshaw kits available which I will be selling soon (sold out of the last batch before I could put them online!). I will be adding a digital copy of “The Scrimshander’s Secret Scrapbook of Whaling Era Illustrations” to the four remaining color kits. Email me at aperkins@scrimshaw.com with “Scrimshaw Kit Early Bird” in the subject before I get them on the Scrimshaw Kit page and I’ll put in a little extra something for you, too, as long as there are any left. They will be selling for $39.95 shipped USPS Priority Mail.

“BradyBlock – An Excellent Tool for Engravers and Scrimshaw Artists

Posted on September 6, 2012September 6, 2012 by Andrew

The BradyBlock is a great tool for scrimshanders and engravers alike. Allowing you to not only turn your piece 360 degrees, you can also tilt it easily getting the best angle without having to readjust your lighting. Your piece is held by a piece of putty or other adhesive material that does not “give” too much, yet holds it firmly. The base is small and lightweight, and you don’t have to secure it to the table, although a small piece of non-slip material underneath it may be advantageous (experimenting will yield your best results).

Made in the USA by an artist/engraver that uses what he makes, this is a great tool for the serious artist.

Click on http://www.powleyengraving.com/profitcenter.htm and scroll down to find this and other offerings by Brian Powley.

See the Youtube video here:

Mystery Artist #5

Posted on June 20, 2012November 11, 2015 by Andrew

The Bonhomme Richard and Serapis — Mystery Artist #5, “BONHOMME RICHARD And SERAPIS” click on the picture for a larger image.

Mystery Artist #5

has done scrimshaw on some material other than ivory, but has done such good work, that another veteran scrimshander (who has been scrimming for 28 years) is looking for more information on the artist:

“…the plaques are on some kind of material other than Ivory I did not do a test but it does not feel or look like Ivory. I have had these apart and found nothing on the back.

“The plaque measures 3-1/2 x4-1/2 x 1/4in thick and is glued in a wooden frame. the reason I made the inquiry is that the scrimshaw is done so well, thinking maybe a reproduction of some kind. I have been doing scrim since 1984 so I have handled different materials,this is such a nice set I would like to know the artist. thank you for your help.

“Charles”

So – 1/4″ thick, glued into a wooden frame, no markings. Any clues or guesses? Feel free to write us at questions@scrimshaw.com.

6/22/2012 Our friends at scrimcollector.com helped shed some light on the subject:

Vintage Maritime Ship Wall Plaques were recently sold on eBay. According to the seller: “…I believe these were Victorian/Edwardian or later souvenier items, made to look like scrimshaw, moulded and glued in the man made frames which have been painted and backing cloth is no longer existing…”

7/26/2012 – Update:

“An anonymous artist has given us the following information: ‘The plaques pictured were created from several Master patterns on Resin plaques & replica whale teeth & walrus tusks..This was around 35 years ago… ” “…a company called Juratone who specialised in very high quality reproduction items….Such as scrimshaw netsuke & art deco bronze & ivory figures. …”

Archival Wax

Posted on June 3, 2012June 3, 2012 by Andrew

“…and coated with an archival wax…” So what is it? Archival wax is a preservative coating that protects an object from dust, dirt and fingerprints while allowing it to “breathe”. Unlike a varnish, this type of coating does not seal the pores of wood or in our case ivory – not like a plastic coating anyway. This fine wax coating penetrates the pores and protects the surface. This is different from a plastic coating because it is so thin, fluctuations in barometric pressure will allow the gasses inside the pores to pass through the wax, whereas a plastic coating will inhibit this. You will also find that a varnish or urethane coating will eventually craze, archival wax will not.

“Renaissance Wax Polish will protect the surface of metals and wood from dust, fingerprints, liquids, and other environmental hazards. Renaissance wax polish was originally formulated in the British Museum research laboratories in the early 1950’s, in response to a discussion amongst museum technicians at an international conference on fine-art conservation. When applied, it creates a micro-thin, lustrous layer that enhances shine while preventing damage.”

I find this works very well as long as your piece is thoroughly dry – this is especially important when you are working with oil paint – the renaissance wax can dissolve and lift out any unhardened oil paint. If you are working under a deadline, you may wish to use India ink as your medium since it dries much faster (hours instead of weeks). India ink may also be helpful if you are creating scrimshaw while the customer waits – not my preferred method of scrimshaw, but not unheard of (I really don’t “pine for the good ol’ days” working in a kiosk in the mall!). Available at Amazon

Kraken Scrimshaw – SOLD

Posted on May 20, 2012October 16, 2013 by Andrew

Finally finished the Kraken scrimshaw with a coat of archival wax and a couple of touchups. “The Kraken is a mythical sea monster first documented in 1250 in Iceland. Pierre Denys de Montfort penned the original illustration in 1801, after he was inspired by a description from 1783 of an eight-metre long tentacle found in the mouth of a sperm whale. The ancient piece of mammoth ivory measures 15/16″x 1-1/2”, and was hand scribed using a tungsten carbide scribe from Coulter Precision Tools (also on Etsy). The pigment is Windsor and Newton Oil Paint, has been coated with an archival wax and placed inside a frame. Comes with a write-up about the piece signed by the scrimshaw artist including “Kraken Lore” and the care of ivory. I do very few pieces during the year, and this one was done over several months in early 2012.

Available at Etsy.com