The Black Dog fettered

 The progress of the Black Dog of Newgate. Two chains have been constructed and I still need to decide if the piece needs a third top chain of an even greater length. In the mean time I will clean and burnish the chains with patiana acid to sear the metal black.

Straight razor MkIII

 An idea I had many a year ago about making a functional stained glass sculpture is now in its third iteration. The piece themed to accompany a sweeny todd window is a straight (cut throat) razor. moving parts are the larges problem but being to thick to quit is yielding results finally.

 The piece is only a rough prototype and i plan to subject it to some punishing tests so i thought it warranted documenting before distruction. Later models with hopefully gain more delicacy, this is definitely still in a flint axes level of evolution.

 I cant seem to capture the beautiful internal pattern of the green glass on camera but its amazing. Its a nearly exstinted batch of glass, i think i might have to get some more.

Black Dog of Newgate

 Cutting glass and leading up the first element of a new window. The Black dog of Newgate is a tale from the old prison on that site, wherein the most evil of men pick the wrong victim unaware or his occult connections.

The next step is making chains out of glass.

Nevermore (joining and burning)

 Half way through this seemingly endless piece and I have added half of the three dimensional wings. Im pretty sure i have invented two new processes during the course of this window.

 I belive these are 1) transitioning between leaded light and copper foil in a single piece.                                

 2) burning a layer of ash onto the surface of the glass (carbonizing) and using a fine point to draw onto it. then i fix it with a matt varnish.

 

 Two more wings to go and then finishing with patina acid and black iron polish.

 Its getting there.

Nevermore (copper foil wings)

 William Morris has a window in Winchester cathedral with wings that boggle the mind in their beauty.  My humble offerings are coming along slowly and are rougher around the edges but I cant help but to smile at them, compared to my earlier offerings they're a quantum leap better. One more leap and I'll be happy.

 These are tack soldered together at the moment and still need to be smoothed and treated in acid to burnish them black. Only two weeks behind schedule. Must work faster if i want to do a show by february!

Nevermore (slow progress)

 This is the mount for a three dimensional piece about the crows at the tower of London. The final piece will mix traditional lead light work with the lighter weight three dimensional copper foil work.

                                                   hopefully it lives up to my bus sketch.

Wilt Wither Wimple (Progress)

 The rosary style thorns are based on the classic celtic knot form.

 There is still one element of the piece left to make,the cross at the end of the rosary.

 This piece is my first attempt at using Copper Nitrate acid to alter the finish of the metal. This could become a useful process once mastered.

 The piece in profile showing it three dimensional construction.  It is built around a light sensitive bulb that adjusts its brightness to the room in which it is placed.

The story behind this peice is in this previous post.
http://glenriches.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/wilt-wither-wimple.html