Scrimshaw
(This is the traditional technique of drawing on ivory or bone: I use piano key ivory.)
These are all original pieces of art. I first draw the image on the ivory in pencil, then engrave the lines with a scribing tool, and rub ink into the lines; then engrave and ink again and again until the image looks 'right'. I then sand the ivory, and rub a coat of neutralized bees wax or conservators' wax onto it for protection. The images are not painted on, nor are they transferred: they are hand-drawn and engraved. As a result, each one is unique: no two images will be exactly the same, even if they are the same subject.
While I have started making scrimshaw bookmarks, most of my ivory pieces are jewellery: I started with brooches first, expanded to pendants, and now also make earrings.
Click on the images below to go to the Animal, Scenery, and Miscellaneous pages of samples of my scrimshaw.
By the way, the ivory thumbnail images you see on these pages are pretty much lifesize: about 1" x 2".
These are all original pieces of art. I first draw the image on the ivory in pencil, then engrave the lines with a scribing tool, and rub ink into the lines; then engrave and ink again and again until the image looks 'right'. I then sand the ivory, and rub a coat of neutralized bees wax or conservators' wax onto it for protection. The images are not painted on, nor are they transferred: they are hand-drawn and engraved. As a result, each one is unique: no two images will be exactly the same, even if they are the same subject.
While I have started making scrimshaw bookmarks, most of my ivory pieces are jewellery: I started with brooches first, expanded to pendants, and now also make earrings.
Click on the images below to go to the Animal, Scenery, and Miscellaneous pages of samples of my scrimshaw.
By the way, the ivory thumbnail images you see on these pages are pretty much lifesize: about 1" x 2".