Creating a Scrollsaw Portrait-start to finish Part II

Welcome back!Today the cutting has begun.The standard practice is to begin at some point in the center of the pattern, and cut working your way outward.In the first photo , the first cut has been completed.You can see how the blade was inserted into the previously drilled pilot hole.When cutting , the wood was rotated while following the pattern line, as I use a flat blade..There is however a type of blade that negates rotating the wood, and that is a spiral blade.Spiral blades cut 360 degrees.Many artists prefer to only use these blades.They do have their advantages,but that is a different discussion.
The next photo shows an area in which "veining" cuts will be made.Veining is a technique that brings a lifelike appearance to the art.The veins of a leaf or folds in clothing look more realistic when this technique is used.In this step,it is used to define the feathers of the ducks wing.To vein ,simply saw all solid black lines as indicated on the pattern.The pencil indicates the area to be veined.

Next we see the veining in progress.

A close-up view after completing this particular veining cut.Once the pattern is removed,it will be more noticeable.


At this point the cutting is about 1/4 complete.You can see the detail of the ripples in the water, and some of the reeds.

To Be Continued.........