My first attempt at scrimshawing a horn

[mab7]

Trying my hand at doing some scratching...
This is try number three. I 'erased' the first two and I will be the first to admit I still have a long way to go!
You guys that do this all the time have my utmost respect!

[KC]

I think it looks real good.

[Hungry Horse]

That is a real good starter piece. To get a more detailed complex image you need to add shading using the cross hatching method. This is just like doing pen and ink drawings, except you are cutting in the lines rather than simply drawing them with a pencil, or pen.

  Hungry Horse

[hanshi]

First attempt???   

[seesbirds]

I'd say well done! Especially for a first attempt.  Your lines are clear and crisp, and things look pretty symmetrical.  What did you use to cut them with?  Adding shading will bring a relatively simple outline to life.  I'd encourage you to try it on this piece.

Regards,

Mark

[mab7]

Thanks!
I still have to do the shading on the eagle, as well as add the rest of the graphic and shade what I have yet to add. I am planning to place my initials on the shield and there is a banner that goes underneath the shield that will hopefully finish with the word "MISSOURI" on it. I am still deciding on what, if anything, to add to the rest of the horn.

This is all practice for me so I am using a mix of tools to see what works best... a Coulter scribe, a coupe of different wood carving micro-gouges, an Xacto knife with a #11 blade that I broke to shorten it, and a triangle-shaped jeweler's file with a sharp point.

[mab7]

Still figuring things out as I go, but wow does adding some filler and shading make a big difference!

[conquerordie]

That crosshatching is really bring that eagle to life! Nice job
Greg