Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Bowyer4Yew on November 25, 2013, 02:21:35 pm

Title: How to camoflage the bow back naturally
Post by: Bowyer4Yew on November 25, 2013, 02:21:35 pm: When I was hiking last year, I looked down and saw many stones, matte in texture and would write just like chalk. I decided to see how many colors there were.

After a few weeks I had several distinct tonal ranges. Then it was necessary to crush them up so it would require stones far harder than these and not likely to chip. Basalt and quartz were chosen as grindstones.

Here is the process...

(https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/998983_624538760925799_1283884730_n.jpg)

When hiking be observant to these earth tones, try to write with them on harder stones. The pigment stones will behave like chalk.

(https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1475981_624539160925759_1229421732_n.jpg)

Some are big, some are small. The size ranged from a pea to a loaf of bread.

(https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1465170_624539247592417_460565599_n.jpg)

Assemble your discoveries and buy small glass vials to store the powder. Crush them over a large sheet of paper.

(https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1422536_624539314259077_26213429_n.jpg)

The particles will fly everywhere under the force so best to do this outside.
The resulting powder may need lots of grinding to reduce particle size. Sift on a sheet of paper before bottling.

(https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1455174_624539527592389_115169792_n.jpg)

Some of my results which show the range of the tones in the area I hiked, a glacial moraine.

(https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1459961_624539604259048_1183661184_n.jpg)

When mixed with art store mediums like acrylic, they paint on nicely.

(https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1471153_624540264258982_1110870804_n.jpg)

Full length of the bow colored on the back, leaf pattern.

(https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1479441_624540417592300_682532336_n.jpg)

The grip area is unpainted under the leather, it only overlaps 1/4" so the grip is smooth.

(https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/999635_624540427592299_593519386_n.jpg)

Bending of the bow does not hurt the paint, all surfaces were prepared first, sanded fine, dust free.

Thanks for viewing, give it a try if you like...I'm happy with this idea that struck me one day.

William Hunter
8)
Title: Re: How to camoflage the bow back naturally
Post by: echatham on November 25, 2013, 02:23:57 pm: i dig it
Title: Re: How to camoflage the bow back naturally
Post by: GlisGlis on November 25, 2013, 02:45:38 pm: Really nice colouring
Do you think it's possible to stay full natural and mix pigment with egg, linen oil or skin glue and achieve similar results?
Title: Re: How to camoflage the bow back naturally
Post by: Carson (CMB) on November 25, 2013, 02:50:27 pm: Very nice work. Looks like excellent quality pigment.
Title: Re: How to camoflage the bow back naturally
Post by: IdahoMatt on November 25, 2013, 02:57:08 pm: Great looking camo job. What state are you in
Title: Re: How to camoflage the bow back naturally
Post by: Bowyer4Yew on November 25, 2013, 03:09:15 pm: Thanks Archers!

These pigments were collected in Michigan, SE area.

I had thought about fish glue and egg tempera methods, but since I was already using spar varnish, I opted for the familiar matte medium from Liquitex.
I have made bows wrapping them in Birch bark and using fish glue for attachment and pigments.
This one has limbs that bend a lot and I knew I could count on matte medium latex to hold up.

I think the others would work too, but I had already used modern finish. I may do the next with all nature.
Title: Re: How to camoflage the bow back naturally
Post by: vinemaplebows on November 25, 2013, 03:52:13 pm: Beautiful!
Title: Re: How to camoflage the bow back naturally
Post by: Danzn Bar on November 25, 2013, 08:58:03 pm: That is absolutely fantastic................man, so much that one can learn and do. There's not enough time in the day.
Thanks for the info.
DBar
Title: Re: How to camoflage the bow back naturally
Post by: BryanR on November 25, 2013, 09:29:59 pm: Your post is perfect timing. I just picked up an orange/red pigment stone last week. Didn't know what it was then, but I brought it home anyway.
Title: Re: How to camoflage the bow back naturally
Post by: Renacs on November 25, 2013, 10:13:32 pm: Thats beautiful. And thats why i love primitive Archery. You see the world in a new light.
Title: Re: How to camoflage the bow back naturally
Post by: Japbow on November 25, 2013, 10:21:33 pm: Beautiful! The earth tones are striking.

Japbow.
Title: Re: How to camoflage the bow back naturally
Post by: Arrowind on November 25, 2013, 11:55:24 pm: Coooooooooooooooooooooooooool!
Title: Re: How to camoflage the bow back naturally
Post by: steve b. on November 26, 2013, 12:00:33 am: Great idea. Awesome look.
Title: Re: How to camoflage the bow back naturally
Post by: tallpine on November 26, 2013, 11:58:34 am: Very nice work William, forgive me for getting off topic but your handle wrap is very interesting. How did you do that? Do you have a picture that shows the grip a little better?
Title: Re: How to camoflage the bow back naturally
Post by: Mallorn on November 26, 2013, 03:58:16 pm: Thanks for sharing the idea! Where I grew up in SW Missouri there were tons of these rocks in river beds, and I used to collect them and still have a lot of them. Mostly found reds or red-orange stones, though happened on a few off-white ones as well. I called them soapstone, and now call them chalk stones with my kiddos, they love using them on the driveway.

It isn't very primitive but any carving with knives makes a nice powder. Also, mixing with egg whites would surely make a nice sticky medium and stay true to your pigment color, but I've never tried it.