technique and process

Thomas and Jesus

Years ago I was commissioned to make a painting of Thomas touching the side of Jesus after the Resurrection.  I began this drawing then but ended up doing a much simpler painting for the commission.  I am in the process of preparing a large panel (for the second time) in order to paint this picture.  In this post is the drawing and original painting.  Following posts will explore the large panel construction and preparation and the new easel I have had to build to accommodate it.

The drawing.

Left detail.

Center detail.

Right detail.

The original painting.

Brother Stool

Below are some pictures of the second three legged stool of post oak.  They are a pair but with differences.  The rungs on this newest stool are in a “T” rather than forming a triangle  connecting  leg to leg as in the first.  Also, the legs in this stool are a bit more cantankerous.

The legs dry fit with rungs.

Reaming for the legs.

The seat.  I counted over 100 annual rings in this seat.

Fully assembled, and awaiting finishing touches.

Both stools together.  Here you can see the difference in the rung layout, the “T” on one and the triangle on the other.

 

Jig for Flattening Slabs

I read about this method for flattening large slabs in a publication (Woodwork I think) a year or two ago.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the article in order to reference it.  As I work with irregular slabs, too large for my machines, I expect it to be a reasonable and effective method for flattening large slabs, in this case, eastern red cedar.

The router is mounted to a 4′ sled which rides across two parallel fences (jointed 2×4’s smoothed and waxed).  The router has an   1-1/4″ straight cut bit, and mounted on the sled can cover the entire face of the slab, removing about 1/32″ of material per pass.

a couple of turned walnut handles  help to steer

the whole endeavor sits on my table saw

 

Workshop . Three Legged Stool

Photos in the workshop of one of a pair of three legged post oak stools.  Still in a very raw – and experimental state.

The busy bench top.

The bend and splay and stance of the legs.

Laying out for the black walnut rungs.

Post Oak seat.

Shaping tenons on the rungs.

Workshop: White Oak Pedastal and Stool Legs

Here are some pictures of current work from the workshop.  First is a white oak Quercus alba pedestal commissioned for a bronze ballerina.  Second are three green-bent post oak Quercus  stellata (also a white oak variety) stool legs in the midst of shaping and their black walnut rungs that have been roughly shaved for another commission.

The pedestal, nearing completion here, was turned in segments on a faceplate made more broad with plywood.  The main cylinder was turned between centers.

The pedestal with one coat of min-wax black walnut, and one coat of Watco black walnut, which isn’t as dark as the min-wax, but has a little more red which warms the tone.  I will add at least one more coat of the Watco.

Detail of the large bead, cove, and fillets.

The post oak stool legs.

Walnut rasp handle.

 

Making of the Pedestal Cylinder:

Composite box of 8/4″ white oak (harvested at Boaz, KS).  Recessed blocks were glued inside the box and then pine plates fitted and screwed on either end to allow installation on the lathe.

The corners trimmed at the table saw.

Spinning the box into a cylinder with a roughing gouge.  Very heavy, lots of inertia, but well balanced.

Cylinder.

 

Post-Oak Stool Legs

Below are some photographs from the process of the rough-shaping and bending (green) of post-oak, which is a variety of white oak, for use as legs in a pair of 3-legged stools -hopefully.

First the log was cut and split.  This one has quite a of twist, which I am hoping to integrate into the design of the stools.

Next the halves are split into quarters and then into eighths with froe at the brake (no photos), then the eighths were trimmed with the hatchet.

After trimming the pieces are shaped down with drawknife at the horse.

After this rough shaping each piece was place in a form and bent using clamps, the clamps were removed after a few days and were replaced with wire.  The legs will remain in the forms until they are dry and I am ready to shape them to final size.

For deep information on working with green wood please see Peter Follansbee’s blog.