What is used to create this deep black decoration?

[Tetsuaiga]

Hi, i'm trying to find out ways you can achieve this type of decoration in the picture below. I don't plan to use it for violins myself but think it can give nice results.

Does anyone know what different ways you can go about doing this? I saw in one video it was being applied with what looked linke a pencil, anyone know which these are?

Thank you

 

[adidat]

its some sort of pyrography, basically burning the wood with a posh soldering iron, although I wonder if there stuck on letters :duno:

adidat

 

[SteveJ]

I've seen a video somewhere of that type of thing being done using a laser and it giving very crisp results, I'll have a think and try to remember where it was.

Steve

 

[Mr T]

Hi

Letters can be cut very crisply with a laser, but I think that could only work on a flat surface, not curved like a violin back.

Chris

 

[arnoldmason8]

I just wonder if these have been done with silk screen printing using epoxy ink. A Laser would burn the wood slightly which does not seem likly on an instrument like a violin.

Cheers Arnold

 

[Tetsuaiga]

Heres the video with it being done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CB63GPJ4fY&feature=plcp

Its at 1:55

I think it might just be a very dark pencil.

 

[Scouse]

The instruments in the picture above are the 'Quartet of Peace' instruments by Brian Lisus of Cape Town.

He uses a stencil and a pencil (I'm not sure if it is a graphite pencil or a dark coloured one) to apply the wording after a coat of violin primer has been applied, applying varnish over the top to seal the words under the finish.

Link here

http://www.lisusviolins.com/index.html

 

[Tetsuaiga]

Oh yeah I knew who it was doing it, thanks though.

Follow up question if anyones still reading.

Whats the best way to create a stencil like that? His just seems to be using paper with the letters cut out. Do you think you could print something out and cut it with a sharp knife? Im not sure that would give as good results. Maybe he has a special cutting printer thing.

 

[woodaxed]

i looked at the vid several times and i would say that the stencil was laser cut then applied to the violin with spray mount
then pencilled in

as a foot note you can laser pyrograph on a curved surface depends on when these were made shows 1993 laser work has come a long way since

 

[Tetsuaiga]

Thank you. I think most of my questions are answered now =).

 

[Chems]

If your really serious about doing it contact your local sign makers shop. They'll have a vinyl cutting machine for making lettering and would be able to make you perfect stencils that you can use to colour.