One of the unexpected consequences of cutting the cabochon was a bucket of water with a layer of blue sediment (it was used to cool down the grinder while it runs). For many years now, I’ve wondered about creating ultramarine blue from lapis lazuli, but I’ve never gotten around to it. It is a pigment … Read more
With the beautiful piece of lapis lazuli purchased, I had a new challenge in front of me. I’ve never cut a gemstone before, but I had recently seen a demonstration by Tim Elliott which impressed me. I knew that he was the man to ask about how to get it done. When I called him, … Read more
As I wrote in an earlier entry, for the centre of the Pentecost Star I wanted to place a piece of blue stone. I had met someone during the 100 mile ART Project in Cambridge who did nice work making gem stones (and in conversation, he stated he was willing help on this front) so … Read more
With the turning out well, I decided to explore another area of gilding that has always interested me. Punch work on a gilded surface is especially beautiful on a water gilded surface, I think, because the punched areas provide some sparkle amid the sea of darkened burnished gold. In some examples of this technique the … Read more
It took me a while to learn to see what a layer of bole was capable telling me if I paid attention. It wasn’t long after I began gilding that I realized the applied gold leaf is so thin that it hides nothing; what the surface of the bole looks like beforehand is what it … Read more
I returned today to the work on the piece of art that I first imagined back in late January. I’ve always found it hard to talk while I’m doing something (I guess I’m a monotasker) but blogging while I’m working out a project idea is even harder. Still, since it was the focus of my … Read more
Size: 1½″ x 2″
Materials: Egg tempera; 24kt gold leaf; ebony frame; pressed wood panel.
The winter light here in Ontario is vibrant, but without being warm; it is a crisp light. Everything outside is frozen and grey, so there is no green from the trees, or blue from the rivers to enliven with this light. It is so pure others might describe it as harsh, but I love its … Read more
Using my regular mixture of bole and rabbit hide glue, I’ve applied the clay undercoat for the gold. Again, because of their small size I had to rethink how to prep with these diminished shapes. After the bole has dried, I do a fine sanding to make sure that everything is perfectly smooth. But, because … Read more
Today I finished the frame and panel construction for the diptych. And, I’m really pleased with how things have turned out. Both panels are tight and they fit together well. One concern I had when I decided to use ebony wood was that it would look too much like plastic for another person to appreciate, … Read more