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davescm
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 5, 2025
Question

Something for the Weekend - Part 255 - Bring down the gavel!

  • December 5, 2025
  • 149 replies
  • 7698 views

Thanks to everyone who took part in our 'Tarff' challenge.

This week I notice that James Christie, the founder of the famous art auction house Christie's, held his first sale on December 5th 1766. I therefore decided to make an auctioneer's gavel, using Blender 3D, Adobe Substance Painter and a seamless wood texture I created in Adobe Substance Designer. Of course a gavel is used by more than auctioneers, it is also used by officials in meetings and in courts. But the big question is, what can you do with it?

The “rules”:

  • Use the starter image as at least part of your own image entry.
  • Anything goes, as long as it meets the forum rules on decency, copyright, etc.
  • Anyone, and everyone, is welcome to have a go, whether you are a complete beginner or a Photoshop expert. This is not just for our forum “regulars”.
  • The challenge is not limited to Photoshop. Any Adobe software can be used. 
  • There are no prizes apart from the chance to practice, show off your skills, or bring a bit of humor and fun. Don't be shy, join in and have a go!
  • The starter image is made available for you to use in this forum challenge only.

 

To download the starter image, hover over the image and click on the circle with the arrows at the top right. Then, when the image opens in its own window, right click and choose “Save Image As/Save Target As” (or similar depending on your browser). It is made with transparency, so there is no cutting out do do.

867941i4111AB4D77C86664.png

 

When posting back your image — please use the blue reply button in this first post and use the 'Insert Photos' icon at the top of the reply box. If posting a comment on someone else’s entry, then please use the grey reply button next to their image post.

 

Have fun!

 

Dave

149 replies

daniellei4510
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 5, 2025

Chicken breast tenderizer.

868031iB63E8A90A5281507.png

Adobe Community Expert | If you aren't submitting your assets in sRGB, you probably didn't read the rules.
Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 6, 2025

A beautifully job with the spike perspective Daniel.  I'd say they are 100% spot on.

jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 5, 2025

Hammer and Gavel were not only brothers —they were also best friends

 

868029i2C692E05CF0AF9E9.png

Jane

Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 6, 2025

You can never have too many hammers Jane.  I think I must have at least a dozen. 🙂

jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 6, 2025

Uh-oh! I just zoomed in and see that I forgot to fix the SFTW logo on Dave's hammer render when I flipped it. Oops!

Jane

jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 5, 2025

Beautiful render, Dave, and I love the wood texture!

Jane

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
December 10, 2025

Thank you, Jane.  🙂
Dave

EuanWilliamson
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 5, 2025

867977iD1A33031260C695D.jpg

There's no way the young Thor was to be trusted with Mjölnir

 

Best regards, Euan.
creative explorer
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 5, 2025

@EuanWilliamson love it young thor! 

m