This term I've been working on a piece of Cenerino alabaster carving a chameleon and also some white Spanish alabaster to carve a magnolia pod. Have to confess, not got very far with either! I've got a lot of photographic reference for both - our Magnolia Soulangeana produces these amazing seed pods every year that start out red and gradually darken till they become black and drop off the tree. Their seeds are bright glossy red and the whole pod looks rather prehistoric. I've made some maquettes and after completing some preliminary shaping, last week I started to carve the pods.
The Chameleon is progressing more slowly. I downloaded lots of images from the internet but also photographed some preserved specimens in a museum. The Cenerino alabaster is quite hard - much harder than the white Spanish alabaster and I'm not happy with the shape of the head so far.
Meanwhile, the little fish is finished except for polishing. It's tail fin is now very thin and very fragile, so I'll have to be careful polishing and handling it.
The Chameleon is progressing more slowly. I downloaded lots of images from the internet but also photographed some preserved specimens in a museum. The Cenerino alabaster is quite hard - much harder than the white Spanish alabaster and I'm not happy with the shape of the head so far.
Meanwhile, the little fish is finished except for polishing. It's tail fin is now very thin and very fragile, so I'll have to be careful polishing and handling it.