Day of the Jackal

**Whittling** · 16th June 2013, 12:07 AM

I've received a commission for an Egyptian Jackal-headed staff from an Egyptologist living in the Canberra area. He actually doesn't want an exact replica of the one found in King Tut's tomb but something half-way between the stylized piece from ancient Egypt and a more modern slant. I'm not sure exactly where he's shooting for but he wants me to use glass eyes in the carving for realism but wants to keep the stylized ears. He also wants a more brownish wood... not black ebony (which is just as well cause I can't find anyone in Adelaide with any pieces big enough for the job). I can't quite see it myself, so I've knocked up a prototype in Jelutong. I've just cut the eyes into this one, but I'll fit some glass eyes into it tomorrow and see what it looks like.

Thought you might want to ride along with me on this one... I kinda feel out of my depth. Anyway, step one below

Here are two of the reference photos he sent me that I used to create a pattern.

And here is the jelutong prototype without glass eyes

I'll post the effect with eyes in place soon...

Comments and suggestions appreciated.

**shedbound** · 16th June 2013, 01:23 AM

Yours looks too happy

great work, though i'm unsure how to put a modern slant to it

maybe carve it with an ipod and headphones
will be watching keep up the pics, I like egyptian related things
regards
Joel

**schaf** · 16th June 2013, 06:33 AM

Nice start. I will be following along.

**copeau** · 16th June 2013, 11:52 AM

It doesn't look bad.

As a suggestion, you could make the frontside of the neck more sharp, more triangular. I think it would let the line of the jaw and the birth of shoulders show better.

**Whittling** · 16th June 2013, 01:11 PM

Thanks Joel. The earphones are a great idea but where to put the ipod....?

Seriously though, I can see there are some discrepancies in the carving itself. From face on the lower jaw is too narrow at the back, making the top of the head proportionally too wide. I think that's due to a flaw in the pattern which I will have to correct. Your point about the neck is also true Copeau. I noticed that too as I was going but didn't finish it because its just a prototype. I'll be sure to get it rounder with a more prominent jaw line in the 'real' one.

What's bothering me is the incongruity between realistic eyes on an otherwise stylized carving. I think I'm just going to have to try it and see. That's what prototypes are for I guess...

The next attempt will be in blackwood. I'll post it when its done.

**Iggy** · 16th June 2013, 01:27 PM

Perhaps a collar and registration tag

. Modernizing something as ancient and stylized as that is certainly a ticklish problem, will watch with interest.

**Robthechisel** · 16th June 2013, 05:37 PM

You got a tough one there Whittling, he doesn't want to change the ears and use the original eyes makes it hard to know how modernize it. It has a face similar to a Greyhound so maybe looking in that direction may help. also the eyes look almost half shut, could you widen them slightly in the middle? Another thought with all the modern day steroids going around you give it a very muscular chiseled look

. will watch with interest like the others.

**Robson Valley** · 17th June 2013, 05:13 AM

I see a collar in each of the reference pictures. Perhaps that's the item to modernize in some way (UPC product bar code patterns?) As much as I like the exotic appearance, I defer to others for anatomical comment.

**Bushmiller** · 17th June 2013, 09:30 AM

Whittling

Interesting commission. How a bout blackwood for the timber? I don't know how it carves though.

Regards
Paul

**Whittling** · 18th June 2013, 10:06 AM

Ok... step two... putting the 'realistic' eyes in the prototype.

Not to bad... puts me in mind of a canine 'Area 51', but it works ok.

Next the blackwood....

**copeau** · 18th June 2013, 10:40 AM

Amazing what a difference it could make !

**underfoot** · 18th June 2013, 07:29 PM

..Great job Whittling

I'm sure the commissioner will be well pleased

**raav** · 18th June 2013, 10:01 PM

Yeah those eyes really add another dimension.
Good stuff Whittles!

**Whittling** · 18th June 2013, 11:33 PM

Started the blackwood carving trying to remember all the mistakes I made with the Jelutong... (so as to avoid them, not duplicate them...)

Anyway, here's the cut blank in blackwood...

And here's the rough shaped head.

The blackwood is a very different wood to carve than the jelutong! Quite a bit harder but I'm glad I did the prototype. Studying it (and oddly enough, the photos of it) has helped me see the subtle areas I went wrong. I'm happier with the shape of the head and the jaws this time. Not as happy with the ears but its a small thing so I think I can live with it.

Next step, getting it sanded and detailed....

**Robthechisel** · 22nd June 2013, 01:19 AM

I'd have to agree with you there Whittling, the shape of the jaw line is better & the run of the grain is well suited to the shape of the face, looking good

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