Something was missing

   

     I was in the medieval project mood and was pondering other ideas I could make. While I was doing research for different ideas, I could use a sword and shield, I found many different shapes and styles. Through my research I took different elements from multiple shields and developed my own idea. I started drawing with my friend graph paper, just shape reference lines.  I will say while drawing this project, it’s difficult to make sure everything is lined up.

            I picked out the piece of wood I wanted to use which dictated the size of the project. I try not to stress the size and keep it simple to the materials which are readily available. Yes, this does bring some limitations, however I look at it more for as “inspired design challenge.” It can help you work with the meaning to have, to craft something amazing. I finished the reference lines and of course it “looked boxy.” I continued to try different ideas and found the final design for the outside. I worked on what to put in the center of the shield and went with the letter M. There is no special meaning behind the M. It just looked cool. However, I knew it “wasn’t complete.” However, at this point I hit the creative roadblock. It was getting late, and for me I only can stare at graph paper for so long. With the goal of staying patient with myself and “not rushing.” I determined the best answer would be to rest and start fresh.

            Curiosity is always fun with my crafting adventure, and I shared my brainstorm design with a close friend. I find more fun and different ideas as I share the process and not wait to share “the finished project.” I sent her a picture and asked, “what do you think.” I got back another picture with doodle lines on it for recommendation to consider. Despite being late at night, as soon as I saw it, I knew “I had the answer.” She was absolutely right and identified what was missing. I had too much extra space in the center of the shield, which did “draw your eye there.” The next day I made changes to the drawing and added a smaller shield with double axes. I considered the smaller shield to be an “insignia of sorts.”

     Carving time came and I started working, of course with the background like always. Things progressed very well until they didn’t. I was working on the axes and an oops happened. I was trying to relief carve, so the axes would come off the shield.  While I was carving, I did an oops and took more than I wanted which led to a small thin piece breaking off. I found myself at a crossroads to solve this problem. One thing I wanted to add to the shield was movement. Giving a more natural look that it was “hand made.” I also wanted an aged look as well. With this mission I carve around the small shield background so I could lower both the small shield and axes. This helped to create an offset, so the M stood out as the main focal point. Thankfully this solved my problem from the “oops I made.” It’s how you learn to adapt and overcome when things happen. Take a minute and focus on what’s your main goal.

     Off to the swords and figuring out how to carve the sword and the blades. Development elements I determined I wanted to include was, shape to help it stand out, and a slight taper towards the point. This helped give an offset from the shield and made it look that the swords were behind the shield and not combined into the shield. I kept the middle ridge line with a shallow slop. So, I didn’t make the sword blade look, well “like a triangle.” I was also hopping to have the right angle so the sword might look “a little wider” then in reality. It was a hope but still have work for that part.

            Handle and guard had similar challenges. Like making the handle look round and not triangle ish. After I got the shape roughed out, I made sure that each element from the sword handle, guard, blade and the shield itself there was enough contrast to help them “stand out independently.” Yes, explaining this is currently making my brain hurt.

            Sanding and finishing details stemmed from “what final look I wanted.” I was wanting a rustic finish that is not perfectly smooth. The scratches and not perfectly sanding, I was hoping to give an aged and used look. I added rivets to have the look the shield was built in multiple parts.

            Now I am at my last crossroads, to paint or to stain. I asked for advice from different friends and what their opinion was. Most people answered that it should be stained. I still wasn’t sure because I didn’t know if I could get a medieval finish look I wanted. Stain colors are limited and stain loves to “run” in the wood grain. I have had many projects that stain has gotten where I didn’t want it to, because “it ran there.” Pondering and considering different things I started to ask myself “could I stain the background and paint the shield.” When I first thought of this, I tried to talk myself out of it. Because “I didn’t know if it would look right.” I had never seen a project with this type of finish. I turned to different people for advice to see what their thoughts were. I got a variety of responses, but most was “I’m not sure.” To be honest I was having my own doubts about this idea.

           

Thankfully my bravery took control of my motivation, and I went for it. I started with taping off the background to keep the paint “only where I wanted it.” I then primed it and started the adventure of airbrushing. At this point I would call myself crazy because I had only air brush painted three projects. A box I had made, my sword, and a small axe. So, I really did not know what I was doing. A friend helped with the color choice to give the medieval look I was wanting. It was a slow process, but I was loving how it was turning out. I finished the painting and took a deep breath. Because I was able to create the look that I had been envisioning and hoping for. Before I removed the tape from the background, I made sure to clear protective coat the acrylic paint with the correct one. I had made the mistake in the past using the wrong one and it “just doesn’t look right.” Of course, the close calls and oops were not done yet. I started to apply the clear coat, well, what I thought was the correct can. As soon as I started to spray it, I realized, it was “white primer.” I was in a nervous panic to figure out how to fix the mistake before the entire project was ruined. Thankfully I was able to wipe the primer off. Unfortunately, some of the grey pain did come with it. However, it gave a worn look to the sword blades, which I loved, so I purposefully wiped more off in random spots.

            Once everything was confirmed to be dried, I removed the tape from the background. I was speechless. It was better than I could have imagined. I chose to stain the background an English walnut color to fit the motif, royal medieval. I did the final few details and the project was completed. I loved the entire project, and I knew I had made the right choice.

            With this project I had many oops happen and crossroads I had to figure out. But I did not let that stop me. I thankfully never had the thought to stop and throw in the towel on for this idea. Yes, did I feel intimidated and overwhelmed at times. Absolutely I did. I kept driving because I was more focused on the “fun” and to “see what’s possible.” I found value with sharing the journey and asking simple questions to the right people. With each question I have asked, it has prompted a variety of answers. For some project the best answer might come “in the form of a question.” Because I take the question they ask me, and work to build an answer or consider things that weren’t obvious from my perspective.

            The more projects I have done, I’ve had the feelings of “somethings missing,” or “it doesn’t look right.” I’ve also had the question of “where would I start.” Whatever the reason or questions that comes. I first remind myself to “be patient and not rush” It’s hard sometime. I have caught myself wanting to “just finish and get it over with.” Because rushing can change how you might feel about your work. Don’t let the creative block stop you from trying. Sometime a way to get through the creative block is by asking for helpful inspiration from your friends. Now will every idea or suggestion be useful, who knows? I have seen for me however some ideas turn into a fun challenge. Which has helped my skills and abilities grow.