Re: Basket Illusion Revisited.
Jerry Maske
John,
Tell me about image sizes. I intentionally sized this one as small as possible using Apple's "Preview" because any I've tried to post that were larger got rejected. If there's a way to go bigger, I can do that.
This is a Collaboration Project. My wife and I often do complex pieces in one media or another where we divide the tasks. Either of us can go from start to finish, but it's easier if we share the duties. There are some parts that I do better and enjoy doing and some that work better for her. Can't tell you how much I enjoy having her at my side in something like this.
We spent about three weeks on this one. Turning the platter shape took an afternoon. Then came the beads. It's necessary to complete EVERYTHING on both sides before moving on, so I've worked out a system with the Longworth Chuck so I can do that. Once all the beads are on and sanded as necessary, I put on the radial lines, again, on both sides. And I set them up so they match from side to side. That's important if you're doing an edge design.
The radial lines are then wood burned like the ties a basket weaver would use. Then comes the coloring. Can't go back to fix anything either, so get it right or plan to use bad words.
Harvey is clear in his videos that this isn't for people who like Instant Gratification. I said this one took three weeks, but that's not eight hours a day. Total hours? I just don't know, but it's a lot. I tend to get in a hurry as I tire or get close to the end, and that's a red flag. I stop and come back to it tomorrow.
I just finished up a new center piece that has much better color. The liver oxidation actually starts out turning the Silver a Bronze/Gold color, but it doesn't stay around long and that's the problem because it's beautiful. So I had to get a good mix of Ammonia and Baking Soda mixed in hot water in a Spritz Bottle to stop the color change. Then get it out of the sun and put on the finish. Otherwise the color will change, and usually NOT for the better. So there's a lot to it and I'm not likely to ever get two of them the same.
More as you ask questions. It's really a fun project. And before someone asks, YES, I am set up to do a True Herringbone edging. Already have it drawn out on one and ready to go on another. More on what constitutes a "True Herringbone" later.
Jerry
