Introduction: Scrimshaw Etching
Scrimshaw, engraving, scratch art. Call it what you
like. While it is not actualy engraving, since i don't
use typical engravers tools. Most do not consider it
true scrimshaw, since I do not use whale teeth or ivory
for my work. Anyway, its an art form that takes alot of
practice. I have searched the internet to find similar
art as this, but nothing was found. I originaly started
on ivory from old piano keys and old pieces of bone. But
material like these of quality and quantity are far and
few. so i moved to plastics, cheap and plentiful. It
also helps clean the enviroment by recycling plastics
that end up clogging landfills or litering roadsides. I
actually have found plastic mugs and thermos jugs in
ditches along side a road that was perfectly usable for
decoration. (I wouldn't use them for food or drink, but
sitting on a shelf looking cool is ok). (please forgive my typing skills, or lack thereof. i type with one finger and with a broken arm, and it hurts to often to truely care about punctuations right now)
Step 1: Tools of the Trade
The tools of the trade. I use a shapened pin, a
"marks-a-lot" black marker, rubbing alcohol, a rag, and
white plastic cups from the "dollar store". some tracing
paper will help but not required.
Step 2: Tools Continued
i get white plastic cups, tumblers, glasses (whatever
you want to call them) 4 small or 3 large for a buck.
pretty damn cheap from any view. Other colors will work
but gives a "muddy" or "dirty" look to the image.
the smoother the surface of the cup the better the
results. use cups that are smooth and shiny, do not use
"wrinkle finish, as the ink wont wipe away.
find a picture or drawing that you like and print it to
fit the side of your cup, or trace the design with the
tracing paper. tape the design to the cup using scotch
tape to hold it firmly in place.
take a needle and mount it into an exacto knife handle.
or carfully push it into the end of a piece of wooden
dowel. a metal scribe could also be used.
Step 3: Getting Started
find a picture or drawing that you like and print it to
fit the side of your cup, or trace the design with the
tracing paper. tape the design to the cup using scotch
tape to hold it firmly in place. following the lines of the picture or design, poke
gently but with pressure along the lines leaving small
pricks through the paper into the plastic. when all the
lines are covered (check by holding the cup opening to a
stong light source, you will see small holes through
your image.) carfully remove your paper design from the
cup and using the black marker, color over the small
dimples left by your poking needle. let it dry for a
minute. then dampen your rag wth a little rubbing
alcohol, and wipe away the black ink. you will be left
with a picture that resembles a childs dot to dot
picture. hopefully you did not press to hard, you only
want to barely be able to see them.
Step 4: Dot to Dot
Step 5: Connecting the Dots
next its time to connect the dots. firmly but very
slowly, scratch the lines connecting the dots following
your design. (im hoping you start with something very
simple in the begining, like a heart or stars)
hint: the harder you press for your scratch lines the
darker the line will be. you will need to practice this
for the shading parts, most shading is very light.
Step 6: Ink and Clean
after you are finished with your lines, use the marker
and color it again, then wipe off the ink, and you
should have thich black lines, outlining your design.
Step 7: Shading
now comes the real work, the shading. as far as im
concerned, just about anyone can trace a design, its the
shading that gives a picture depth and shadow, and
brings it to life.
by varying the preasure on the needle you can get
lighter or darker lines. start wth the lightes parts and
shade like you would with a pencil, really light
strokes. you can always go back over it if you want it a
little darker. you can not make it lighter. scratch a
little, ink it and clean it. go a little at a time. and
remember to practice. this is a form of art the takes a
really long time to master. i have been doing this for
over 10 years and i still make mistakes. so relax and
have fun.
Step 8: Shading 2
shading is one of the most difficult parts to describe. in this type of art, shading consists of alot of short lines parralel to each other, very close together, of varying depths and pressures. (like this: IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ) i will try to get a photo of this, but the lines are so small, yhe camera does not pick it up very often.
dont forget to add the tiny details in your work.
Step 9: More to Come....
Step 10: More Pics of Other Cups I Have Done
Step 11: Older Cups
the circle with triangle is on the opposite side of the baby picture.(same cup, i was just seeing if i could do portraits)
Step 12: Finally Finished....
i hope anyone trying to do this will study my pictures and see the types of shading lines i use. practice simple things, like boxes and balls, try making them look 3-D. good luck to you all, and i hope you have fun...