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8

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

Community Expert ,
Dec 05, 2025 Dec 05, 2025

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.

SFTW255_Gavel.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

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iPadOS , macOS , Windows
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correct answers 1 Pinned Reply

Community Expert , Dec 19, 2025 Dec 19, 2025
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replies 149 Replies 149
Community Expert ,
Dec 09, 2025 Dec 09, 2025

This is super funny! LMAO!

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Community Expert ,
Dec 10, 2025 Dec 10, 2025

I like that you have kept wooden wheels on it, Greg. Another clever idea. 🙂
Dave 

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Community Expert ,
Dec 12, 2025 Dec 12, 2025

🤣

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Community Expert ,
Dec 06, 2025 Dec 06, 2025

No comments

SFTW255.png

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Community Expert ,
Dec 09, 2025 Dec 09, 2025

Blacksmith?

 

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Community Expert ,
Dec 10, 2025 Dec 10, 2025

I like the blackened wood to match the wooden chair. I'm not sure whether the scene is for judgement or torture though. That looks a nasty blade resting on the chair. 
Dave

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Community Expert ,
Dec 06, 2025 Dec 06, 2025

The Nutcracker
I used Nano Banana on Photoshop and it exceeded what I expected!

SFTW255_Gavel2.jpg

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Community Expert ,
Dec 06, 2025 Dec 06, 2025

Damn! you broke into a new concept.

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Community Expert ,
Dec 06, 2025 Dec 06, 2025

Thanks Nate :sparkles: 
It's so fun and working directly on Photoshop saves so much time ...

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Community Expert ,
Dec 06, 2025 Dec 06, 2025

The forum is doing that 'not letting me give this a like' thing again, and I so want to.  You are setting the mood for Christmas, and its not in the least early as the shops have been gearing up for Christmas for at least a month now.

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Community Expert ,
Dec 08, 2025 Dec 08, 2025

Thank you Trevor!
Here too, even before Halloween, for many stores and also some streaming platforms (with those cheesy Christmas movies), it was already Christmas. Whereas it would be quite enough to celebrate Christmas from Advent to December 25...

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Community Expert ,
Dec 09, 2025 Dec 09, 2025

Super cool and festive!

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Community Expert ,
Dec 10, 2025 Dec 10, 2025

Thanks Nick!

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Community Expert ,
Dec 10, 2025 Dec 10, 2025

A lovely scene for Christmas, Christelle. I am glad he has broken the shell, now he gets his Christmas lunch. 🙂
Dave

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Community Expert ,
Dec 10, 2025 Dec 10, 2025

Thank you Dave!
Yes, he gets his lunch for Christmas ... Now, I think I should have put more nuts (whole, broken shells, shelled) ...

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Community Expert ,
Dec 10, 2025 Dec 10, 2025

Cool image.

I've also used Nano Banana and also have been quite impressed.

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Community Expert ,
Dec 11, 2025 Dec 11, 2025

Thank you Dean!

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Community Expert ,
Dec 06, 2025 Dec 06, 2025

Ah hah there me hearties.

image.png

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Community Expert ,
Dec 06, 2025 Dec 06, 2025

@Trevor.Dennis I almost missed his leg! 

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Community Expert ,
Dec 07, 2025 Dec 07, 2025

Grandchildren to me: "why are pirates called pirates?"

me: ?

Grandchildren: "because they are"

 

Nobody? read it out loud . .
Because they aarr 😉

Best regards, Euan.
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Community Expert ,
Dec 09, 2025 Dec 09, 2025

That is thinking outside of the box. 

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Community Expert ,
Dec 10, 2025 Dec 10, 2025

I like it, Trevor. He better watch his step between those planks though! 🙂
Dave

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Community Expert ,
Dec 14, 2025 Dec 14, 2025

That's a bit of fun.

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Community Expert ,
Dec 07, 2025 Dec 07, 2025

 

Limited Collector Item SFTW 255:
The original James Christie gavel design from 1766

 

 

It was used at the first Christie auctions in spite of its releasing a bit of ash and soot, but eventually abandoned when the original sound block and a document were charred by glowing embers.

 

The design was inspired by the new pipe tomahawks, which were first produced about a decade earlier by request from Native Americans and quickly became famous as important trade objects and diplomatic gifts.

 

Click the image to get closer, Click again to get closer still

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Community Expert ,
Dec 09, 2025 Dec 09, 2025

Smokin Pipe. Clever!

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