-
- Students hard at work
-
- Re-draw lines ready to shape the shell
-
- Lower down the little triangle shapes and round over the outside of shell with #3, 14mm
-
- You can either cut the shell out with a band saw or do this process to define the edge of the shell
-
- Lowering down the outside edge so that the shell appears to be raised
-
- Defining the edge with a #7, 14mm
-
- carving around the outside with a v-chisel
-
- finished leaf
-
- Carving the “eye” with a #11, 3mm
-
- Lowering down the area to give the appearance of this part of the leaf going under the other part
-
- Lowering down the background with a #3, 14mm gouge
-
- Making vertical cuts around the outside edge of leaf, defining the leaf accurately
-
- Carving around the outside with a v-chisel, leaving the line
-
- Real acanthus plant
We had a great class in Greenville, SC. The projects were difficult, but everyone did very well and learned a lot about that mysterious classical leaf – the acanthus. Once you study this wonderful ornament, you begin to see it everywhere – on picture frames, architectural features, wallpaper, etc. As you can see from the photo of the “real” acanthus leaf (from my garden), it has evolved greatly through the years.
It originated in the Mediteranean, and people were inspired by its beauty for thousands of years. I have heard that in Italy they consider it a nuisance weed now, sort of like the thistle here – very similar in appearance, also. Beautiful long spikes of purple flowers come out of the middle of the plant when it is in bloom.
The Corinthian capital was supposedly inspired by a greek architect that passed by a grave of a young girl. There was a basket left at the grave with a stone on top, and an acanthus leaf grew out of the basket, creating the flowing and layering leaves of the Corinthian capital.
I tried to photograph the carving process, but got distracted in the actual teaching process and forgot to photo some of the steps. Then for the shell, my camera battery died before I was able to show the process of carving the lobes. Sorry about that.
In another post I will put the article I wrote for the Society of American Period Furniture Makers yearly journal on this particular acanthus carving – it goes through all the process of carving in detail. I hope it comes through clearly enough.
I’m working many hours these days. Lots to finish in the next 2 weeks. I have to finish the “kings head” and also I have about 20 feet of large egg and dart to carve in quarter sawn white oak. I will (if my camera cooperated) take photos of that step by step process also.
