First Tries

 

MY FIRST RHINO

It is about 5" tall on a top of a gourd that I thought looked all the world like a whale's tooth!  But is was clunky.  The brush was good for rendering but it looks painted on there.  It does not have the refinement I loved in the lines of my ivory work.   It was close.

I learned that it did need sealing.  That was some experimenting too.  I knew a spray sealer would be best, but after trying urethane, simple charcoal sealant, lacquer and varnish, I felt old fashioned shellac was the most natural and gave a warmth that the modern sealants just didn't.  

I felt I was near to the idea.  I loved the look of line on the warm gold of the gourd.  I liked the ability to make it look old and has a great affinity to wildlife.