Al33
Senior Member
I am working on this one while working on the other, but this one is not nearly as complete. I want to get them both done so I can paint them at the same time.
The first three views (profile, front, and rear) are of two like cutouts after I have cut them out of a square block of wood on my bandsaw. I did two cutouts for comparison purposes. Eventually, I hope to get around to carving the second one.
I first make a paper pattern depicting profile, frontal, and top views. I then glue on a profile view and either a frontal or a top view pattern on the squared block of wood. I have reference lines both on the block and the patterns to aid me in aligning the patterns on the block correctly. After I cut out one view, I reattach the cut off piece with spray adhesive which puts the block back together for the second cut. Once completed I have a basic form to work with.
More often than not there will be areas the cuts will not get to so rough out work is required to remove the wood from these areas. I usually use a Foredom rotory tool with carbide burrs for this effort. The following top view will give you an idea about this.
Once I have the rough out work done I start carving. Knives and gouges are my preferred tools. Using a pencil I sketch on the feather groups on the rough out and make the appropriate cuts. After they are carved in I usually sand them off smooth then sketch on the feathers and cut them in. Most of the time I use my woodburning tools for cutting in the individual feathers then use a knife to relief them a little.
Hope you all enjoyed this little show and tell. I will post more pic's as I progress, just don't be looking for them tomorrow.
The first three views (profile, front, and rear) are of two like cutouts after I have cut them out of a square block of wood on my bandsaw. I did two cutouts for comparison purposes. Eventually, I hope to get around to carving the second one.
I first make a paper pattern depicting profile, frontal, and top views. I then glue on a profile view and either a frontal or a top view pattern on the squared block of wood. I have reference lines both on the block and the patterns to aid me in aligning the patterns on the block correctly. After I cut out one view, I reattach the cut off piece with spray adhesive which puts the block back together for the second cut. Once completed I have a basic form to work with.
More often than not there will be areas the cuts will not get to so rough out work is required to remove the wood from these areas. I usually use a Foredom rotory tool with carbide burrs for this effort. The following top view will give you an idea about this.
Once I have the rough out work done I start carving. Knives and gouges are my preferred tools. Using a pencil I sketch on the feather groups on the rough out and make the appropriate cuts. After they are carved in I usually sand them off smooth then sketch on the feathers and cut them in. Most of the time I use my woodburning tools for cutting in the individual feathers then use a knife to relief them a little.
Hope you all enjoyed this little show and tell. I will post more pic's as I progress, just don't be looking for them tomorrow.