First, I begin with a blank piece of 12"x12" paper, compass, ruler and pencil. I find the centre of the paper. Using the compass, I draw circles radiating out to the edge of the page to use a guidelines. Starting in the centre of the page, (and using my imagination) I work my way outwards in symmetrical design to create a complete image. Once completed in pencil, I trace over it in .03 fineliner ink and erase all the pencil lines. I end up with an image such as this....
I then photograph it and using photoshop, add colour similar to the stones colour to see what I am working with more accurately. I get an image such as this....
The Indiana Limestone slab I want to carve is 21.5"W X 21.5"T, so using photoshop again, I split the image into 6 pieces and print each one to 1/6th of the finished carving size such as these...
Using a cutting matt, X-acto blabe, and ruler, I trim all the edges to get these....
Using cello tape, I then carefully tape them all together to get a full size copy of what I will carve....
I spent a while sanding down the face of the stone to remove any blemishes and saw blade marks from the machining process. (elbow grease) Once ready, I place graphite transfer paper on top of the stone and the full size image on top of the transfer paper....
Then they all get taped down into place. Using a pencil, I copy the lines on the image, which transfers onto the stone.
Once the pencil work is complete, I remove the paper and transfer paper from the stone and end up with this!......
And now, using a brass bell hammer and lettering chisels, I get down to some real work of slowly and meticulously removing stone to give the image I want.....
LOVE THE STONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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