Winged Dragon

[FrankEV]

I found this B&W image on-line a while ago.  There is no Artist, owner or originator listed.  The image is a little different with the fire-like border and skyline at the bottom.   Not sure if the Dragon is contemplating destruction or guardianship. 

Anyway, I converted the image into a 11” x 14” Scroll Saw Pattern and have been trying to decide whether to cut it or not for several weeks now.  My lady liked the Image but, wasn’t sure the thin linges of the wings were going be seen well against the white background, so I decided to add a second color, Grey, to highlight the wings and other features of the dragon, but still be mainly a B&W presentation. 

The cut panel is 5/32" thk. Solid Core Birch Ply affixed to a 1/4” BB Ply Air brush painted backer.  Small details were cut using a Pegas #2/0 Spiral blade while the bigger cut outs areas were done using a Pegas #1 MGT R blade.  Even with the many close parallel line cuts, the cutting was easier than expected.

The Panel is set into a museum style narrow, ¾” wide, rail Floating Frame that was also painted black.  And as usual, the assembled panel was protected with multiple coats of Deft Clear Gloss Lacquer.  

I'm tempted to break my own rule of only cutting a pattern once.  I think I could do wonders with some coloring...red/yellow flame border, hazy smokey Red/Orange sky background like the city is burning, maybe different color for the wings. Would be a fun project.

 

 

Comments and critiques always welcome. 

This project was an example of efective multi-tasking.  I was cutting and paintig this project while the glue and paint dried on my Halloween Lantern Project. 

EDIT:  Pattern posted in Pattern Exchange

EDIT #2:  Patterns posted in Pattern Exchange have been revised and reposted.

Edited October 3, 2023 by FrankEV
Added note

[Trka2002]

27 minutes ago, FrankEV said:

I found this B&W image on-line a while ago.  There is no Artist, owner or originator listed.  The image is a little different with the fire-like border and skyline at the bottom.   Not sure if the Dragon is contemplating destruction or guardianship. 

Anyway, I converted the image into a 11” x 14” Scroll Saw Pattern and have been trying to decide whether to cut it or not for several weeks now.  My lady liked the Image but, wasn’t sure the thin linges of the wings were going be seen well against the white background, so I decided to add a second color, Grey, to highlight the wings and other features of the dragon, but still be mainly a B&W presentation. 

The cut panel is 5/32" thk. Solid Core Birch Ply affixed to a 1/4” BB Ply Air brush painted backer.  Small details were cut using a Pegas #2/0 Spiral blade while the bigger cut outs areas were done using a Pegas #1 MGT R blade.  Even with the many close parallel line cuts, the cutting was easier than expected.

The Panel is set into a museum style narrow, ¾” wide, rail Floating Frame that was also painted black.  And as usual, the assembled panel was protected with multiple coats of Deft Clear Gloss Lacquer.  

I'm tempted to break my own rule of only cutting a pattern once.  I think I could do wonders with some coloring...red/yellow flame border, hazy smokey Red/Orange sky background like the city is burning, maybe different color for the wings. Would be a fun project.

 

 

Comments and critiques always welcome. 

This project was an example of efective multi-tasking.  I was cutting and paintig this project while the glue and paint dried on my Halloween Lantern Project. 

That’s awesome. A lot of detail in that piece. 

[Peter N White]

Great work colour would make it pop.

[preprius]

My perspective when quick glancing is that the dragons wings are transluscent. 

Then after seeing the silverish body skin armor my wing thought went to solid thick silver skin. 

When thinking of actual scene, the viewer is toast. 

Your projects brings my attention into the scene and feel like I am actually there. 

If you do consider making another version maybe coloring the wings different? I dont know. 

Me.

Mark Eason

[wombatie]

That is terrific Frank.  Will the pattern be in the Pattern Exchange?

Marg

[MarieC]

Frank, this is excellent and your airbrush of the wings is very well done.  I think the coloring of it is perfect in that it looks like it was taken at twilight with light showing thru his wings.   It would be interesting to see it in color .... If it were me, I would look at paintings of dragons to see the colors I like the best without making it too busy because the silhouette of the dragon is already so captivating.... again, really nice.

[FrankEV]

6 hours ago, wombatie said:

That is terrific Frank.  Will the pattern be in the Pattern Exchange?

Marg

Can do later this AM

 

[TAIrving]

Very nice Frank, striking pattern made better with excellent cutting and colorization.  I can visualize it in B&W and can see that the grey highlights for the wings and body make a big difference.  I would also be interested to see it in color, so please post that if and when you decide to do it. 

[FrankEV]

5 hours ago, MarieC said:

 .... If it were me, I would look at paintings of dragons to see the colors I like the best ...

I have looked at boat-load of color images.  Every color combination you can imagine is out there.  

This pattern, with its unique border and bright white bacgroud just cries to be seen in color.  I don't think I would do much to the dragon, but it is the bacground that needs to be enhanced to make the STORY (we all read into this piece) even better.

[ChelCass]

Awesome!  The grey behind the wings is perfect.

[daveww1]

great job

[Denny Knappen]

Wonderful presentation

[MarieC]

4 hours ago, FrankEV said:

I have looked at boat-load of color images.  Every color combination you can imagine is out there.  

This pattern, with its unique border and bright white bacgroud just cries to be seen in color.  I don't think I would do much to the dragon, but it is the bacground that needs to be enhanced to make the STORY (we all read into this piece) even better.

Yes, I agree.  I was hoping your wouldn't change your Dragon... very little or not at all.  I do believe you will make a fantastic background....looking forward to seeing it if you do decide to go that way.  mc

[Ron Johnson]

Very nicely done Frank

[Wichman]

I zoomed in on the image of your cutting and wow, did you even try to sand off the fuzzes or was the piece just too fragile?

As you can see the image is copyrighted by nine-finger Jo, they are an Etsy seller out of England, Their Etsy  shop is on hold right now as they are taking a break, so they cannot be asked for permissions.

Someone else had the idea to add flame color to the background.

[FrankEV]

On 10/4/2023 at 12:41 PM, Wichman said:

I zoomed in on the image of your cutting and wow, did you even try to sand off the fuzzes or was the piece just too fragile?

... image is copyrighted by nine-finger Jo,...

 

 

 

Believe it or not, after the cutting was finished, the fuzzies were all well sanded off and I even uesd a torch to get rid of those little fuzzies that hide in the small crevices.  I have recently found that when using regular rattle can spray primer and paint, it tends to lift more fuzzies that are very difficult to see until the panel is glued to the backer...then it is too late to do anything about them.   I found this happened on two different projects now.   This dosn't seem to happen when I just apply Artist acrylics.  I think I'm going to stop using the rattle can paint on these types of projects and go with the Artist Acrylic Air Brush paints.  And, BTW, in real life, unless you get up real close, the fuzzies are not noticeable but I agree that is no excuse.

When and where I found the image, there was no indication of who the artist/owner of the image was.  Also, anyon can put the note 'Coyright' on sometning, but as you and I both know it is a very expensive to actually copyright something.  I may be nieve, but when I find an image on-line that has no protections from being copied, I feel they are fair game to be used, with implied consent, to create a Scroll Saw Pattern from it.  My work is a replica of the original Image and not a copy of the original used for some profit or gain.  

Yes, the Orangy flame color to the background is what I felt it needed.  However, in the pic you included, the wings need some fill, like the grey I used, or, I would have to believe the wings and cut out parts of the body is made of clear glass or the like.  Just dosn't make sense and dosn't work for me. 

Thanks for your coments and critique.