In order to start making the figure, I first had to establish the overall dimensions by drawing it out full-size. This told me the height of the keys, so I had to start there. There have been a couple of starts and stops on this one. First I was going to use a couple of old boxes from which to build the piano, but then decided I needed something more refined and found this jewelry cabinet that seemed better. Also I wanted to hand-carve the keyboard, so I laid everything out and carved it. When it was done and painted, I realized it was too formal and opted for a more funky stylized keyboard that was actually a little easier to make.
Here are some in-progress images -----
Beginning the carved keyboard, (I still have it and it may work itself into another piece).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EbfLn8LHbKsOqYIa0shgixUVgy1LGFRAAjDZymfeQsns57ScK7ND_FxbbRxaTcSII-72GmMyhnxQhoKQiP887vRmUxQyVZZCaqZFcch0-j1lRnll2Dq8MbuQlWPPCY4nHES5YvW_HaY/s400/keys1.jpg)
Carved keyboard finished. You can see I made it wavy, but it was not funky enough for this piece.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-7Dp-NzEPjwsDZIwxt3l_ijzhdr_mKNSUSoKH6R-EamwIM-DZGNpL_dWbMQ4vWDlvsOn-XU3Jgb7uKSVF7TsjhyphenhyphenE9TnwbHa7i6ZN_MXHAMQhyphenhyphenGyySLFQPSOzpXECCmj62ftl_GSXpfM/s400/keys2.jpg)
A more better keyboard - I glued a bunch of tiny pieces of wood together.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0fXdw6u46gM-5XZ1CLL8X0by5R-OhZgYOWxjPZur6ay75ltMhN-QVIqfB3aEbi9c_RCRJ9B-ILTJ2wYONNoR7BbK_2RCsPCxPaGl4_fsgb3GeX4GBcHbtFXy15Ff4wgxbwQkfpxpSwQ/s400/keys3.jpg)
The keyboard installed in the piano - I was working out the position of the arms and how the figure addresses the piano.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYJRBUu5GazI_SDpeM1NYfM99rAxQqEQR1Q_2krq99tREKKsZhepnvDj1s3qryBuQKdVKeD20FsTCYEPZ7VXCbdQtMmtVX8wyjK1HAhYYw8blL5DU-DwDz-asLFYUCmrPnnphxhZJCsM/s400/piano1.jpg)
My drawing of the hands.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhrXDIv6WUMThmaZyWTQv02zAqoZOZrv6JEHS0koxvv4X9Z1iyNJpTkVvn4RkunaJ_2utz8O4mVg5yZvfTyNcKjl5eV5YnRoWn91eAyYWwiT0AhmdPZMoogwZSmDSouD8e9_03TOWKNk/s400/hands+drawing.jpg)
The hands ready to be cut on the band saw.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUl7lYtJSncoXOPxuR4ANs2SGGTeJdvNo36pd7oldGiGVxqFmgGU2Rz10eOu_o-1fuJKfHiHaHML847vxg2oH6njgXRKUqbu4yILI3IOQibAZKq75uwQyyjnXYlYGW9WozfduUubcWlE/s400/hands.jpg)
After cutting they look strange.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK46PXYsScpE5EYol_HfrKXCPVUkaKeqnAVP__7n6qn62kfugVD8Z53OiYMRDk_gxD4LBWb8GlpHoGNiUBeHJD3c_DeYBbJfJLKv7jTc8V_Pe6YCXphZJcxLn5B5tBWsH_4eSY2lA0AQo/s400/hands2.jpg)
Carving finished - it took all afternoon but I think they came out great, and I didn't break off any fingers or drop them. I had to add some bits with glue, (the black blobs).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6lR0ykKzKiM81xJ0Mr-6sJbeYZ28F8d7KvcSOGFrjNOrI0RXklcVXBcHgzVRLSz8Rs9gk9zo8-kmD9A4swHsIWfxaIT5LUkuWQrwQSqgmNDm5l8kqrM42C5-gzkz9EMCPE6kY5XF_mE/s400/hands3.jpg)
I saturated them with thin CA glue which makes them much stronger - now I can quit worrying about breaking them.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5_eeOPSgQnclmG3D9eOJxgNJOmds9HvpEfRfjWPS5_bGjQpH9yFAcBNlURNHyYlrqtRafrtJbDDOmDo1Idh49YpIur_IxVdCJekVzGWlZ5iQvVbO2BwLA2Qa2krdXP0POlYKFAnj0Dg/s400/hands4.jpg)
The hands attached to the arms, notice the 2 different colors of basswood.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim96CKNWbM84TrRmOXqkyeNpf3uF50NqWz50SxTcJ7cS04gWw8qJzVUln77aroA27Wzzhg8SDfAZD-2FV6-JYMb59szXe7ZMoUey1xYJVSA2NJueZC3Sz-dfjDc4KjePLP0j_TihWKexQ/s400/arms.jpg)
The figure's body. I will have to make or find something I can use for a chair.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCKUsoLylD128gQNnlh-i6zPP0MBuR9MJwU9mPzDTpl1uYlnBbT1DL_ABu6DUjLx-dp5OLAaspBphQjsifudS6iFp4w8eIyzXqvGdMei9sM_TFeWQSKsEM8LT7ZH1Ax-t_u0gLTiY4ICQ/s400/body.jpg)
More later!!! Now I got to get back to work.
Wow--making piano keys AND hands from scratch...so impressive. You not only amaze me with your carving ability, but you have to have the patience of a saint! It's great to see detailed pics of all the steps you take though. I feel like it's a real lesson.
ReplyDeleteAll your hard work is much appreciated. Nobody can stop to admire you. Lots of appreciation. moonlight sonata
ReplyDeleteThank you Asad. I appreciate your comment.
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