Scrimshaw Dragon... in color!

[KatherinePlumer]

Wow, color scrim is quite challenging, and time-consuming! This is my first attempt a "proper" full color scrim (I have another in progress that I deliberately did backwards...light to dark instead of dark to light). I did this one working from dark to light (black-red-yellow ochre) but had to do a bunch of touch-up in between. Still learning, but I am really happy with how this turned out so I had to share. :D

http://www.katherineplumer.com/blog/images/07Dec/120407ScrimshawDragon.jpg

http://www.katherineplumer.com/blog/images/07Dec/120407ScrimDragonPenny.jpg

http://www.katherineplumer.com/blog/images/07Dec/120407ScrimDragonChain.jpg

multicolor scrimshaw on vintage pre-ban elephant ivory
sterling silver bail and sterling silver 2mm 18 inch wheat chain
It's 1-1/8 by 1-5/8 inches at its widest points, and 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick (it tapers)

-Katherine

[alf]

Katherine,
Very nice work. Thanks for posting.
alf

[Rich Hambrook]

Katherine,
Beautiful work I must say. I am ignorant when it comes to scrimshaw but have always wanted to learn. I have a Damascus blade knife with a mastodon handle that is begging to be engraved when I get time. Question, what is used to color the engraving?

Rich Hambrook

[KatherinePlumer]

Thanks Alf and Rich!

Rich, I am using etching ink. The first few scrims I did with oil paint, and that works fine particularly for single-color stuff, but it seems like the etching ink has more "sticking power" and is less likely to inadvertently wipe off. After all, this is what it's designed to do. I know other scrimshanders use India ink but personally I just didn't care all that much for using it when I tried a little sample piece.

-Katherine

[fitzo]

I really like that! Cool piece of ivory, too.

[Finn La Rue]

very nice work and i like the subject very much.

i am sure its hard to not get your colors blending into other areas when you apply them nice work keep it up!

[Rich Hambrook]

Katherine,
Thank you for the tip. I will try to find somewhere to buy this stuff when I do my project.....when I get a break from the gun stuff. Where do you get your supplies?
Rich

[KatherinePlumer]

Thanks Mike and Finn. Yup, controlling the colors is the hardest part. Sometimes I want them to blend, sometimes I don't, sometimes they just seem to do whatever they want. ;)

Rich- I got ink from Graphic Chemical but many art supply places (even some retail stores, Utrecht for example) carry it. You can also use oil paint.

-Katherine

[Rich Hambrook]

Katherine,
Thanks for the info. Seeing that I used to oil paint before I starting engraving I have A LOT of oil paint. Its been in the storage room for a few years but as far as I know oil paint does not go bad. So I will give that a try. Anxious to see your next pics!
Rich

[KatherinePlumer]

The paint should be fine. I have a bunch that I hadn't used for years. There might be some crusty oil leaked out around the cap and whatever paint is in the tip might have kind of separated out, so you might have to squeeze some out before you get to the good stuff.

I have a horse pendant and a moose pendant to do for Christmas, so those will be posted here in a couple weeks. :)

-Katherine