Finally Finished!

After about 8 months of intermittent work, I finally finished the Wood Duck, Drake.

It started as three blocks of Jelutong wood from Malaysia.

 Some wood removal made it look more like a duck.

Next came the feathering,

Then came the Burning of the feathers

 And finally, the multiple coats of acrylic enamel. Then it was done! On to the next!

It Is Done!

After about 3 months of work, I declare it done! It started as a rough carved block of Tupelo Gum.

After the feathers were carved in, they were detailed with a wood burning tool

The body started to look not bad after a month or so of burning

Here it is carved, burnt and sealed

The final product, an American Wigeon!

Carving Finished! (Almost)

Here is a link to previous steps in the carving process.Carving

I find the painting to be the most challenging part of doing a decoy, or decorative bird. I am partially blue-green colour blind so those mixtures are particularly difficult. The bird was sealed with shelac, then coated with Gesso, a white paint that is like painting on an eggshell when dry.

Sealed and ready for paint

Now I have to figure out what to start next!

It's been a rough couple of weeks! Frigid cold followed by above zero temperatures and foggy days. It was not good for taking pictures or being outside at all. I did get a bunch of carving done, hunkered down in my man Cave with the heater on full. I got lots done on the Northern Shoveler carving, and I may been able to post some progression shots later in the week.  I did get the dogs out for walks a couple of times just to burn off some of their extra energy, but again it was in the fog and cold. I am starting to dislike winter a lot! We have a freezing rain warning in effect and it has been raining and freezing so that most things are now ice covered. Hopefully, it will switch to snow so that we can get around by morning. We have a work party scheduled at the Church tomorrow to install a second level floor above the foyer. It's a big job with 40 foot beams and very long floor joists. At least the work is inside. let's hope we can get there!

Back to Carving After a 11 Year Lay Off

Wood carving is a nice, relaxing hobby. I did it for years until the horses, Acreage and other things took up my time.

I found the free plans for this vice on the internet. It cost a total of $20 plus change. I was not sure if it would be sturdy enough, but my fears were unfounded. It can be rotated to any angle and any position.

 I purchase 2 blocks of Bass wood from Saskatchewan via the internet. I was hoping for Tupelo Gum, but it is short supply right now for some reason. The wood received was first class, wal dried, and free of flaws. It is not as easy to carve as Tupelo, but I am not in any hurry.

 Here is the block mounted on the vice with wood starting to be removed.

Carving is not that hard,. You just picture the bird inside the block and remove the wood that does not belong!

 A band saw would be easier than a power chisel, but again, I am not in a hurry.

 Here is about 3 hours of chiseling. The next part will be the side profile. This will be a 2 piece carving with the head being carved and added later.

I will try not to bore you with too much detail. Today I am a little excited to be back at it.
This will be a Northern drake Shovel Bill