Tuesday, September 1, 2020

The Nose Knows



Making some wonderful progress on the dastardly doll project today. We have a nose, well as of today. Over the past weekend I bought some more basswood supplies for finishing, blocks to make a nose and longer flatter ones for rounding the skull. This will be the last of the woodworking part on this project if all goes well. Besides the blocks I picked up some leather making supplies to finish the leather shoes in the proper manner. Some sinew, a round hole punch tool and a 3 hold punch for lacing. Plus other odds and ends with weekly shopping.

If you know me personally I am a very deep thinker, some say an over thinker. Although as an artist, I find this trait is not bad in retrospect. Of course moderation in all things considered. Lately. I have not been happy with the lack of representation in medieval art. Race in particular, but also just finding non ideal traits represented. There are alot of blemish free people in medieval art. Appreciate holding to standard or an ideal but it really irks me. Now in the period I am referencing, that artists were working for a patron. They had to secure commissions to make a more steady income. Just as one would do now, a person had to make money to be able make more art and hopefully do better than to just survive off of their trade.  All things considered just thought there would be more art of everyday life and its beauty. Guess the market at the time had its influence.

 Life is beautiful! Everyday is not guaranteed and therefore is a gift.  So what does all this have to do with the doll, I decided I didn't want to make a small delicate appropriate nose on this doll.  I made a more bulb like nose and its just darn cute. Its not hooked so not a witchy vibe but that could be another project. I have lots more smoothing the shape, blending the edges to the face at the cheeks, blending the joint at the forehead to make this meld together better. Doesn't help this wood is a shade darker than the face but it will be all painted in the end.

I do have to adhere the wood flat blocks to the top and back of the head and round them to shape. I have a small rasp for this task to take more wood off than my files. So hoping that does not take too much time, fingers crossed. Although I am feeling much better about the head now that the eyes are carved in and just sanding all over will help blend everything together.  

The nose makes the face to be honest. For all the decades I have drawn the human form let alone faces the nose is the feature. Which I love making art of people, the possibilities are endless. I am excited in the next few projects to add ethnicity to some of my pieces because the world is not just one color of human. If variety is the spice of life, its time to put some serious spice to work in my art.

Please stay tuned for more,

Marrin

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Replica 1560's Venetian Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1560's Venetian Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1560 French Fashion Doll

Replica 1560 French Fashion Doll

Tudor Q and A

What is a Tudorosity?

A mashed combination of the words Tudor and Curiosity to create the word Tudorosity. Tudorosities is the plural form and the deffinition is as follows.

Tudorosity- an desire to learn or know anything about the Tudor dynasty associated with years 1405 through 1603.

Most people ask my why I make the Tudor garb ?

I find the clothing of this era not only beautiful but also challenging to sew. There is much more care and purpose put into making garments and wearing garments in the Tudor Era. I love the look of Tudor so much I wanted to explore the way clothes were made back then and the subtle changes in fashion and styles of time.

How did you get started in this interesting hobby?

I started with art first, I love to draw, paint, and sculpt all the traditional fine arts. So being able to draw helps me visualize the looks I want to create in my garb. History has always been a huge interest of mine and I've had a knack for sewing since I was 7 years old. It all started with doll clothes and I learned cross stitch embroidery from my grandmother when I was little. I am self taught sewer, crochet, knitting, embroidery and tatting. My methods are learned from books mainly and there is still so much more to learn.

What is my favorite outfit and why?

It would be like picking a favorite out of one of my future children, its impossible. I love all my gown creations and really like the distinct differences in all the styles clothing I make for the Tudor Era.

Do you make the whole outfit including hat, shoes, and undergarments?

I do have a goal of making a complete Tudor from the skin out. As of right now I make 90% of my gowns and accessories. The shoes and stockings, are bought online and the petticoats are a close reproduction but not made by me. .

How long does it take to make a gown?

It all depends on the type of gown. The making relies on the time period and class of the design. Generally if I work on it 8 hours a day on a sewing machine it will take 3 days to get the basics and another 5 days to do finish hand-sewing details and beading. So a week to a week and a half if working on it steady for that amount of time. I work a full-time job so it does take longer than a week to complete. I put over 40-100 hours per outfit depending on its complexity, its like its own full time job of sorts.

Do you make renaissance clothing for sale or custom orders?

No, due to new employment and changes in my lifestyle. Unfortunately, I have no time to support sewing for others. Though I recommend sewing lessons for those adventurous few. There are many fine folks who make and sell historical clothing. I suggest guidance with sew from many fine historical enthusiastic costumers out on the internet.

How long have you been making these elaborate costumes?

I have been in the Society of Creative Anachronism coming up on my 18th year. Active since 2004 working at demonstrations and volunteering when I could between working and other life's distractions. I really concentrated on Tudor sewing in 2007 and worked with patterns to learn proper fabrics, techniques, fit, and silhouette. I really enjoy the eras transition from a medieval form fitting layered cotterdie to the boned Tudor kirtle and then to structured Elizabethan clothing.

Replica 1490 Milan Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1490 Milan Italian Fashion Doll
Based on art by Giovanni Ambrogio

O’Kealy Heraldry

O’Kealy Heraldry