Double Trouble

[FrankEV]

Was looking for something different and I found this 11” x 14” pattern called Double Trouble by Jeff Zaffino on the Scroller Website.  Looked challenging…boy, was that quite an understatement!

This cutting took toooo many hours as the pattern has well over 400 holes and many of the cuts were not much bigger than the #64 drill bit I used for the Pegas #2/0 spiral blades I used.  Because of the many tiny cuts it was difficult to work cutting on this pattern for more that 2 or 3 hours at one time. 

The cut panel is 1/4” thick Mahogany solid core plywood affixed to a 1/8” thick BB plywood backer painted Flat Black.  I chose the Mahogany plywood because after studying the pattern I knew that I was going to add color and the Mahogany color would work well for the tree.

The coloring was done with Artist Oil Paints using the dry brush technique in order to obtain the shading and highlighting.  This requires the first application to be dry before applying another tint.  Oil base Artist paints take a long time to dry and this extended the project time considerably.  The border is painted also to create a matted effect.  The finished panel was protected with two coats of clear spray Polyurethane after the coloring was complete and dry.

The Frame is another simple 1 3/4” wide Poplar frame stained with Minwax Brazilian Rosewood  Gel  Stain and protected with two coats of clear spray Polyurethane.   I used the Minwax pre-stain wood treatment before applying the Gel Stain.  In my opinion this stain color is about the best looking slightly transparent color for the Poplar wood.

[Freddie]

Excellent work Frank as always. I really appreciate your detailed comments on each of your posts on how you made the projects. Your comments are very helpful. Thank you

[amazingkevin]

Opon entering SSV today this picture came up for a second and I only had a milasecond to see it. Well here itbisxagain in the post and could not be better. It gives the impression of a photograph. Sorry for all the pilot holes but I,m sure you made it better than it was supposed to be!!!

[LarryEA]

Wow, that is amazing!

[Scrappile]

Beautiful job Frank!  I have got to learn to add color to some of my work.... It sure make for a much more impressive picture than just spraying with a clear lacquer....  I just don't have the artistic eye you and some others have.... Wonderful job..

And by the way,,,, got up and saw you picture... a little later I want outside to stand in the snow for a few minutes and saw those two critters playing in my neighbors field..  Guess they were enjoying the snow also..

Edited February 14, 2021 by Scrappile

[Dragonkort]

WOW ASUMEAND FANTASTIC!!! you did a super job on that

 

[FrankEV]

1 hour ago, Scrappile said:

...I have got to learn to add color to some of my work....  I just don't have the artistic eye you and some others have.... 

Yeah, I like to add some color...makes some of these portraits pop.  I don't feel I have a very good artistic eye. I'm just experimenting as I go.   I will use a photo (like I did for these Racoons0 in an attemp to get the colors close to correct. I couldn't paint a picture if my life depended on it, but I have been able to enhance some of the patterns I've cut by adding color.

A set of inexpensive acrylic craft paints and a set of cheap brushes would get you started.  The oil base art paints are a little easier to mix and blend colors, but do take a long time to dry.    

Edited February 14, 2021 by FrankEV

[Denny Knappen]

Frank, that is a work of art.  Yes, painting really makes the picture pop.  May I suggest artists acrylic paints that comes in tubes.  Very thick, mixes easily and dries quicker.

[Rockytime]

Beautiful work and the colors are exciting. I also appreciate the details you give. Wish people would take a hint. I enjoy looking at nice work but I appreciate the details. I always learn something!

[wombatie]

That is very impressive Frank.  You did an excellent job.

Marg

[FrankEV]

13 hours ago, Denny Knappen said:

... May I suggest artists acrylic paints that comes in tubes...

Denny,

I sarted with using the bottles of Acrylic paints but have recently started to use the Artist Acrylic paints that comes in the tubes.  I also use the Artist Oil based paints that come in the tubes.  Both allow mixing of small amounts of basic colors to obtain various colors.  I'm having fun experimenting with both and learning which works better for me. 

I tend to use the acrylics when the color is applied to the backer under the cut panel and the oil based paints when applying to the cut panel itself.  The oil based paints work (for me) a little better for the dry brush technique and I seem to be able to blend the colorations a little better. 

I shouldn't really be concerned how long a project takes but more on what the end result is.  I'm usually cutting another project, or making a frame, while the paint dries anyway.  I only complain about the drying time of oil base paints becaue I am impatient . 

I'm seeing a few more of our members adding color to their work which I'm very clad to see.

 

Edited February 15, 2021 by FrankEV

[daveww1]

fantastic job

[Ken Lotts]

Amazing detail in this.  I like all your narrative, I will probably try out that Poplar framing at some point.

[barb.j.enders]

That is amazing work.  Thanks for showing.  

[Frank Pellow]

Frank I really like the way you did this.  Your treatment takes a very good pattern and makes it outstanding.   Yes, your scrolling is good, but what really makes this is your use of colour!  The raccoons really pop out. 

Also, I very much appreciate your explanation of the project.

[meflick]

Excellent work Frank. Outstanding job. I have an aunt who loves Raccoons and I. Know she would find it awesome. I agree the color enhances then piece.