Scrimshaw Addiction

Inuit Scrimshaw

This scrimshaw is of an Inuit man working on a piece of fossil Walrus tusk. It was done in 1996 using black ink and the sandblasting technique as explained in the “Scrimshaw Shortcuts” section of this wensite. The Ivory is ancient fossilized Mammoth Ivory from Siberia. It weighs 120 grams and measures 70mm wide x 150mm high.

The Scrimshaw

I don’t have any progressive pictures as I didn’t photograph it or document all the details back then. The process of making it was just like the more recent walkthroughs except without colour.

1) Polish the Ivory

2) Attach the picture and cut around the outline and prominent features

3) Apply black oil paint to the etched sections

4) Fill in the darkest areas, then move onto the light parts. If you do it the other way around the shading and colours will become contaminated

The Base

The base is made from Snakewood with an Ivory name plate attached using Sterling Silver pins.

The Finished Piece

This picture shows the finished Scrimshaw on its stand.

The End.

Contact Rod: randclacey@bigpond.com