This will be made of HDU but I haven't decided whether to sandblast or shopbot it. If I do route it, I will also come back and blast over the whole thing to antique it. I will also tweek the graphics, and crook the lines a little more. Havent decided whether to leave it unpainted or paint with dulled or "dry brushed colors. I will also double check the hieroglyph translation. Any ideas as to how to make this look really ancient would be appreciated.
[ December 04, 2008, 06:07 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
what if you put it outdoors in the hot Florida sun for 275 years?
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
I'd sandblast it. Vary your blasting distance from far away to almost touching in order to make it appear worn and distressed. You can also angle to under cut the blasting mask in places. Remove the mask and distress it a bit with files, chisels, rasps and sandpaper and then return it to the booth for a light overall blast to soften and age the distressing. Afterwards you could simulate lichen, crud or mold by combining Titebond or Weldbond with some sand and latex paint. Go lightly, less is more.
Definitely paint it or it will age and break down a lot faster than you want, unless it is indoors completely safe from UV.
[ December 04, 2008, 06:55 PM: Message edited by: Kelly Thorson ]
Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on :
quote: I will also double check the hieroglyph translation.
How? Is there a site for hieroglyph to english translation?
What's it supposed to say?
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
There were Letterheads even back in those days!
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
It looks good so far, but I'm not crazy about duplicating Egypt. Make it look more like home, with snakes and gators and other things.
You are on the top of my list, and so is your family....because of the music.
We can always associate, so long as we keep trying.
L2U my friend....Jeff
[ December 04, 2008, 09:48 PM: Message edited by: Jeff Ogden ]
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
What currency will they pay you in?
(actually, Mark, the glyphs do translate fairly logically, if you look into it. I've got a book here somnewhere on the Rosetta Stone & how they used it to work out cuneiform & heiroglyphics translations- it's interesting stuff!)
Posted by Bill Lynch (Member # 3815) on :
I like your idea of routing then blasting, seems that would simulate the ageing process that would have naturally occurred.
Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on :
I realize there are ways to translate (with the right resources and knowledge)... and I agree, it's pretty interesting stuff.
But in this instance, it seems similar to double checking your spelling when the font you're using is wingdings
For aged look I might break it (carefully) so it's on two pieces of stone that fit together (crack in the stone somewhere)
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
I think Kelly's ideas are worthy, especially the random depth blasting. Do around the edges, "wearing them away". Some random sponging of acrylics, then wiping them off, will simulate molding and discoloration. But,like said, make sure there is some good covering of paint, stain or whatever for protection from UV.
Some of that heiroglyphic is easy to decipher. On the second line, for instance, near the middle, there is a guy getting ready to pound some sharp object into a lion's butt. Next to him is a first aid person with a gurney, getting ready to transport his remains to the hospital, after the lion gets done with him.
[ December 05, 2008, 08:36 AM: Message edited by: Dale Feicke ]
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
Good one Dale Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
That right bottom corner is Mom, Dad & the kids. The first kid has his hand out so he can go to the mall, the second one in is the musician of the family with a mutant bagpipe and the third one is going to beat on the little fourth one who is building a lego tower. And above that it says, "bird, eyeball, bird, bird, squiggly line." Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Jane, I think you need to look again at the bottom right..... I see a different story all together. To me, it looks like Mom has a toilet plunger and dad is proudly demonstrating something... can't quite make it out....
Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
WOW,, Where did you find the Mutoh Printer Manual..
That or directions to the Lost Ark.
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
[ December 05, 2008, 12:30 PM: Message edited by: Dale Feicke ]
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kelly Thorson: I'd sandblast it. Vary your blasting distance from far away to almost touching in order to make it appear worn and distressed. You can also angle to under cut the blasting mask in places. Remove the mask and distress it a bit with files, chisels, rasps and sandpaper and then return it to the booth for a light overall blast to soften and age the distressing. Afterwards you could simulate lichen, crud or mold by combining Titebond or Weldbond with some sand and latex paint. Go lightly, less is more.
Definitely paint it or it will age and break down a lot faster than you want, unless it is indoors completely safe from UV.
Thanks for the great tips Kelly, I do intend to paint the whole thing at least one color and your painting/distressing ideas will come in handy for that. I just wasn't sure if I should paint the details in the images.
The reason, guys, that the workmen look like little kids, is because ancient kings would often have themselves depicted as much larger than their subjects. I guess it was an ego thing. The man with the chisel is supposed to be carving a stone lion, but I see that may be a bad idea; maybe I'll replace it with a Sphynx an obelisk or something. I think the "toilet plunger is a lotus flower on a staff. One workman is carving "horus" the falcon god, and the workers on the scaffold are carving an obelisk. I think, to make it more like a sign shop, they can all be carving glyphs, obelisks and stele.
Mark, yes you can read and translate the glyphs. The first column roughly translates "how much is a sign", the second one gives the size and material, the third column says "two hin of barley, o' great one" the fourth "this is too much, I give you one" and the last one says "thank you o' generous one" and the cartouche (place for the king's name) at the far right says "o' great one". I'm not sure how close the translation really is but it's not that big of a deal anyway.
[ December 05, 2008, 01:22 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
Posted by Ben Diaz (Member # 7319) on :
You sure the workers on the scaffold aren't building a Stargate?
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
This whole thing could be done on the router very easily. I would keep the graphic as a bitmap and 'wiggle' it up some in photoshop or similar program. Then create a splotchy bitmap file (I call mine 'splotches' Applied in two layers to the file in a program like EnRoute its two quick clicks of the mouse to create the file.
Once off the router I would apply a light base coat of acrylic (flat finish) and then two layers of acrylic glazes to quickly and easily achieve the aged look you are after.
If you need more info give me a buzz.
-grampa dan
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Yea, but Dan would charge $85,000...for the design. Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on :
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Thanks Dan! I create and edit vectors in SignWizard 6.0 then manipulate bitmaps in Corel PhotoPaint. My CAD/CAM program is Type3 TypeEdit. I want to make this thing 8' long by 3' high and hang in the showroom here at the shop.
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
If you decide to route it make sure you vary the depth of the glyphs so they are not uniform. That's a dead giveaway. I'd also make it a bit bigger and give them some room to breathe. They seem very crowded to me. If you do decide to blast it, I'd do all the glyphs and freehand carve the lines afterwards before distressing. That will take the uniformity out of it and make it look more hand chiseled. BTW I really like the concept!
Posted by Gene Golden (Member # 3934) on :
The easy way...
· Use standard 2" insulation foam (the blue or pink stuff). · Make a vinyl pattern and peel out the images. · Spray with almost any solvent-based spray paint, or graffiti remover, or possibly hair spray (can't remember if it eats in). The paint will eat into the foam irregularly. · Peel the mask and then spray some more mist onto the surface to eat in a little more. Practice spraying closer and further. Any overspray will just add to the effect of graininess. Actually, in the next step I mention using sand - maybe all you need is to back off and spray a "dry coat" of primer from a distance for a grain. · Mix some sand or grit into your primer, and then final coat. Rags, brushes, Q-Tips, fingers. · Use a ketchup/mustard squeezy thingy and fill with the paint color for inside the lines and images - Ronan Aquacote works great for this. · Install onto wall with double-back tape or "garden hanger" - it only weighs about 5 pounds maybe.
You're done. 6 hours max, if that long. Material cost - about $20... you have all the paints laying around. Effect - Priceless.
Posted by James Donahue (Member # 3624) on :
A very cool thread, very therapeutic laughs, but in all seriousness...an AWESOME display room idea! I had previously started on some Greek letters, but this is better. Way to go. Many years ago, my first shop was called International Sign Works, not because I was so large, but for my love of foreign type. Guess it's still there. Great idea.
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
We used to do quite a few "faux" sandblasted signs (small, for interior use) years ago, by using Gene's method. We'd mask, remove the background, then mist with lacquer thinner in an airbrush. The thinner would dissolve the background. (be careful, or it'll dissolve all the way thru) Then paint with acrylics. It works.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Thanks for the cool ideas and kind words everyone. Gene, that reminds me of my first experience with solvent and styrene.... About 22 years ago, I was using some wood preservative on our first home(trailer). I poured some in a styrofoam cup, walked away for a few minutes and when I came back, the cup had disappeared. hehe
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