The letters are simple cutouts with a dropped center. The center portion is layered vertically with the letters glued on. All pieces are cut from 30 lb Precision Board. Because of the structure for the top portion goes through the 'planet' base I can't put the lid (top layer) on until it is all fastened in place.
I temporarily screwed on the top portion to shape it with valleys going down between the letters.
Once the rough shaping was done I used the die grinder to do some more shaping. There will be a rocket landed on top of the letters and I wanted to simulate the texture of a rocket blast radiating out from the center, taking off a layer of the earth and tops of the letters with it. I added rocks and small stones to the edges of the letters and areas between with sculpting epoxy. One side is now ready for paint and gilding. In the next days I'll show that process and then move on to the upper reaches of the piece.
