Scrimshaw is an American folk art form perfected by New England sailors. Using needles or knives, whale bones are engraved and the engravings are colored with ink or lampblack. Although commercial whaling is now banned, the art of Scrimshaw still survives today.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Get the Materials
Step 1. Get small ivory items by looking for them in thrift shops
If you want to use whale ivory, make sure it was harvested before 1972, when commercial whaling was outlawed. You can also use old piano keys or white or ivory acrylic material.
Step 2. Buy a precision knife with an interchangeable blade
Insert and secure the blade to the front. assure it
Step 3. Get good quality beeswax, black, brown or blue ink and acetone
Part 2 of 5: Apply the fixative
Step 1. Apply the beeswax on the surface of the object
If possible, use a mini tool for cutting, sanding and polishing by applying wax to one of its discs. Finally, apply the wax evenly on the surface of the object.
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Why apply the fixative? Ivory is very porous. Using the fixative prevents the ink from penetrating where it shouldn't leave stains. Once the fixative is applied, the ivory will only absorb the ink where it has been engraved. #If you are not using a multitool, use a cloth to wax. Rub the surface of the object for at least five minutes, passing the cloth over and over again on the same area until the wax is applied evenly.
Scrimshaw Step 5
Step 2. With a clean cloth, polish the object until the wax is completely removed
The ivory should appear shiny without being covered with wax. Put the dirty cloth aside, you'll need it later.
Part 3 of 5: Return the cast to the surface
Step 1. Measure your ivory object
You will use a small drawing as a motif.
Step 2. Find an image online and shrink it to fit the object
Remember to leave about 2.5cm of space on the edges. A sketch with defined lines and beautiful chiaroscuro is ideal for the Scrimshaw.
Step 3. Print the image or copy it from a book on paper
Step 4. Place the ivory object on top of the design and trace the outline on the sheet of paper
Cut out the rest of the paper to make it easier to align the object and image.
Step 5. Place the illustration face down
Dip a cloth with acetone and gently rub the back of the sheet, first with the cloth then with a bone stick.
Make sure the paper is completely moistened
Step 6. Lift the edges of the sheet and apply it to the surface of the object
Place it directly on top to avoid smudging, then discard the paper.
If the drawing is bad, use sandpaper to remove it, then reapply the wax and start over
Part 4 of 5: Etch the Surface
Step 1. Follow the lines of the drawing with the pin
Start pressing by holding the pin as vertically as possible. Engrave the lines on the surface of the object.
Step 2. Complete the drawing
After tracing the lines, apply the ink using a cotton swab. Use a fair amount of ink, then remove the excess by passing a lint-free rag over the surface of the object.
Step 3. Feather the design
You can either engrave the cross-hatch lines or punctuate the shadows by engraving dots. The closer the dots are, the darker the shading will be.
Step 4. Using a cotton swab, apply a little more ink, then remove it by rubbing gently
If you want a line to be darker, engrave deeper and apply more ink.
Step 5. When the pin starts to go out, change it
Part 5 of 5: Finish the Job
Step 1. Evaluate your work
If you made a mistake, you can draw thicker lines or sand the spot where you went wrong and then wax and draw again.
Step 2. Remove excess ink with a cloth
Step 3. Take the wax stained cloth
To preserve the ink, restore the wax on the surface of the object. Polish it evenly.
