Color Image Carving / Epoxy Inlay

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Tailmaker
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Color Image Carving / Epoxy Inlay

Post by Tailmaker »

After my latest experiment with the "Solid Wood Lithophane" which turned out to rather simple to do, I went for a more challenging image carving project. For that I used a color image of a still life painting, split into 4 color components (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) and carved 4 subsequent layers, each filled with epoxy pigmented in the respective color.
I think the result looks quite respectable, although I did use too much pigment, turning the image rather dark with some color shift. But I like it. All carvings were done with a tiny tip 0.25mm radius tapered ballnose. Size is 270x190 mm.
Obviously this is way more complicated and time consuming (4 times 3.5 hours carving time) than the black and white image, but the look is quite unique. If somebody is interested, I can post a kind of step-by-step tutorial.
No payable software needed (I used free GIMP image editor and the Windows 3D-Builder) but the method does require Aspire due to 4 separate imported 3D models.

Still life painting (the original):
Still Life Original.JPG
As carved in bamboo plywood for fist (black pigment) pour, spray painted flat white:
As CarvedInBamboo.JPG
Last of 4 carvings, after black, cyan and magenta epoxy pour:
LastCarving.JPG
Finished Result, after last (yellow) pigment pour, sanded up to 1000 grit and laquered. Yes, it is too dark and too blue...
Finished Result.JPG
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garylmast
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Re: Color Image Carving / Epoxy Inlay

Post by garylmast »

If somebody is interested, I can post a kind of step-by-step tutorial.
Yes, please post the tutorial. I think I can see how you did it, but would like to see the different steps. Thanks.

Gary

wood_fly
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Re: Color Image Carving / Epoxy Inlay

Post by wood_fly »

Please include the epoxy type and coloring used as well since they vary so widely in performance. Really nifty effect!

Tailmaker
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Re: Color Image Carving / Epoxy Inlay

Post by Tailmaker »

O.K., will do.

Here is a more detail view clip that shows a little the depth effect. I think for the next such project I will use an image with less detail like a logo or even a portrait. But this was a good test what can be done.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/woud3vlj9t0bz ... p.mp4?dl=0
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gkas
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Re: Color Image Carving / Epoxy Inlay

Post by gkas »

You never cease to amaze me.... :shock:

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scottp55
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Re: Color Image Carving / Epoxy Inlay

Post by scottp55 »

You're "Playing" again Tailmaker. :)
Great work, and Loved the glass on the left in the clip!!
+1 to what Gerry said:)
scott
I've learned my lesson well. You can't please everyone,so you have to please yourself
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Tailmaker
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Re: Color Image Carving / Epoxy Inlay

Post by Tailmaker »

Here is the tutorial...
Sorry it turned out a longer document, but while time consuming, it is really not a difficult process.
ColorPictureCarvingTutorial.pdf
(2.08 MiB) Downloaded 217 times
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