Post #275278 by Queen Kamehameha on Thu, Dec 28, 2006 11:34 AM

On 2006-12-27 23:49, Tamapoutini wrote:

Hi QueenK

Great start - Dont panic just yet; It looks to me that you could go a bit more depth & I would suggest that you just keep going... Your outer profile looks great/sharp (what tool/s did you use to achieve this?) but to get some real 'shape' going on you're going to have to dive into that 3rd dimension.

>>> this is hard . I am using the needle type of burrs. I just can't seem to see it, and this perticular piece of Jade is very "chippy" I have been having issues. I cut the jade using large diamond wheel disks that fit my dremel. I don't have a band saw. so everything I have done is with the dremel hand tools. Even the rocks I will post later were all hand cut using these disks.

Try to visualise where you want the deepest lines/cuts/areas to be (as you have started already) & reinstate them; Im not sure how you are achieving those; with a small round/ball burr? or a needle-type? I would suggest the latter; leaning it over & using in a smooth 'dragging' manner...
Once you have those defining cuts/depths made you can usually use a larger bullet-type burr or similar to make a heavy bevel/chamfer each side of these to remove a lot of waste and create the beginnings of a Carving. Get those 'depths' first & then things will become clearer. It helps to draw lines on the carving where high points are going to be; usually in the centre of each element; ie, running down the centre of each leg/arm etc. If everything 'falls away' from this high-spot, you should see a nice shape tkaing place. It also helps to draw an line around the entire edge (side view/thickness) at the halfway point (if it is to be carved both sides); this is the depth you have to work to; ie, from those highponts/ridgelines to the halfway point. Hard to explian, hope this is making some sence...
** ok, I will try this and I might just try a new piece of the jade you sent me. although I like the design, the piece I used is trouble.**

Try to make your carving movements as smooth as you can rather than in a 'scrubbing' motion which will make those divots all the worse (it can all be remedied however - as you close in on the shaping you will naturally focus deeper and identify/remedy the lumps & bumps...) A stone will often have a speckling of 'inclusions'; often a softer material which pits away faster than the surrounding jade & hence makes it very hard to ever achieve a nice surface. There isnt really any way to avoind this; stone quality is everything in this game. That said, I know the stone you are using very well & it's nice stuff; wont give you that paticular problem.
** ok, will do, update later. I have been priacticing this technique too on the rocks, which seem to give me better definition and control. I am not sure if it is just this perticular piece of jade I bought on ebay or I am just not able to hadle the stone yet, but I will practice what you suggest and see how it pans out.**

Once youve done your best with wet carving (quite hard to see with all the water & spray, eh?) try the slow/dry technique mentioned earlier(?) and in Paipos early pages. This will help iron out smaller bumps as will the final clean-up with sandpaper and/or diamond cloth (recommended).
** I do this now on my rocks, I also noticed some of the river rocks have small air like bubbles in them that surface when I dry sand. There is so much to lern just about the materials. but my feel is getting better. I will also post a picture of the rocks I worked on this pat week, I can tell I am getting a better feel. I also want to try one of the jade pieces you sent me to see if I can handle it better**

Be sure to post again before sanding & Ill guide you through that one as best I can.

Nice design by the way; do I detect a bit of Gman influence? If it was made from bone Id swear it was from his workshop.
** saw this in a maori book, your right definately a bone project....**

amy

[ Edited by: Queen Kamehameha 2006-12-28 11:38 ]

[ Edited by: Queen Kamehameha 2006-12-28 11:40 ]