Scorpion 2
Made from Black Maire, as I needed a piece of timber that would take the punishment of turning in the square with no waste blocks. This piece was made for the Royal Easter show for the small bowl category .The rules say the external measurements cannot exceed 250mm ,I made sure that across the diagonal that the measurement came into the range as last year I had a piece disqualified because I didnt measure it properly.
As you can imagine turning up under the tail has its challenges. Also cutting down the outside of the rim to get a clean edge with the tail flying around has its moments .I had to bend a parting toll to get this crisp at the transition between bowl and wings.
The only way I have found to get down into the transition of the underside of the bowl and wings is with a spindle gouge that has been sharpened to resemble a dart (way swept back using the tool almost upside down
I still sand down to 600 grit before texturing if you dont any chisel marks are magnified .I thought I would leave the contrast of the wood inside the bowl rather than gold leafing like the piece I entered last year.
The exterior body and wings were then air bushed with 7 different colours shaded so as you move around the piece it seems to move.
Because of the Maire (our densest timber) the piece is maybe a little on the heavy side as it will wheel stand backwards if weight is applied to the tail
I have started making these pieces as my winged vessels have started turning up around the place (copy these if you can )Grin
Comments and critiques welcomed