Okay, so I had this crazy idea to make some “AK 47 art”. Don’t worry, it’s not what you think! It’s all about the visual, not the actual, you know, function. I’ve always been fascinated by the, uh, iconic shape, and I wanted to see if I could turn it into something… different.
Getting Started
First, I sketched a bunch of ideas. I mean, a lot of sketches. I was trying all sorts of styles: abstract, realistic, pop art-ish… you name it, I probably scribbled it down. I filled up like, two whole notebooks, just doodling AKs in different ways. I used my Ipad, and just free-styled my ideas!
Picking a Style
Finally, I landed on this sort of stylized, almost cartoon-y look. I wanted it to be recognizable, but not, like, menacing. I was going for something bold, with thick lines and bright colors. The kind you see on a graphic, kinda.
Building a plan
I picked up a big piece of wood from the hardware store. And then I projected my final sketch onto the wood using my home projector. It was a bit tricky to get it lined up just right, but I managed.
Making it 3D
Next up, the real fun began. I used my carving tool. That part was a whole adventure on its own, learning that tools. I did my best to make the carving look as 3D as I could.
Paint and Finish
Time for color! I grabbed my acrylic paints and went to town. I used mostly reds, oranges, and blacks – super vibrant and eye-catching. It took a couple of coats to get the colors really solid. Then, I sealed the whole thing with a clear varnish to protect it and give it a nice, glossy finish.
The Final Result
And… it’s done! It’s hanging up in my living room, and it definitely gets people talking. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m pretty stoked with how it turned out. It was a fun experiment, taking something with such a loaded image and turning it into something purely visual, almost playful. It also makes me feel great when I see my art hanging on the wall.
