A bit cooler today, and better conditions for chiselling.
I started with the hand of Titania this morning, and with the position of the burrs and thick bark I’d decided to just wrap the fingers round the shape of the tree, rather than try and squeeze something like a flower into her grasp.
Then it was on to the patterns on the wing ; the shape of the tree on that side meant I couldn’t have a giant butterfly-style wing, but I think this smaller one works just as well.
I thought it might not be a good idea to do any work on Titania’s dress for the time being, as the ladder may have scuffed or damaged any carving while I was sculpting at the top of the tree.
Shaping Bottom’s head was awkward to begin with, the problem being getting the ladder stable on uneven ground. After contorting myself for a couple of hours I’d managed to do a good amount; once I’d started roughing out the head I realised that I’d need to take the level of Titania’s arm down, so that took some time too.
I’ll hopefully get a good amount of the head done tomorrow.
The view from my ladder! I’ll be thigh-deep in wood chips by the end.
Old conkers from the tree, and fungus growing on an apple-tree stump at Grays Court.