Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: half eye on August 09, 2014, 09:02:19 pm
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Hey fellas,
going to have to go back to realistic wildlife woodcarving. Figure most of ya seen enough of my bows anyway. Here's some pictures but they are pics of pics before I had a digital camera and computer so the quality of the little collages aren't the best. If any of ya want some closer pics I'll try to get them for you. 2 sets of pics.....see ya fellas.
rich
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second set of pictures....by the way, all the critters are life sized.
rich
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you sir are quite the artist!
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Dang Rich! Bows aren't even a challenge compared to awesome carvings :D you are a visionary!
Tracy
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That is some beautiful work Rich. How long does it take you to do those?
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Makes me want to not show my amateur stuff. Looks great brother. You have way more patience than I do.
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Never met you, but this confirms my thoughts.....your are...an artist :) .................... beautiful Rich, do you sell your stuff??
DBar
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Man! That is some cool lookin' stuff!
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Thanks for the comments fellas..... the jumping whitetail buck took a year to make, the lifesized strutting turkey was about 2 months (I think) and one my collectors asked for a lifesized bald eagle perched with a 26" pike in her talons and feeding thats gonna be between 2-3 months I think. No it aint for everybody but it beats trying to find a timeclock job when you are pushing 70. I'm greatfull that I can do this to off-set the major SS check every month ::)
Madcrow; I cant carve the things you do so dont let my crap take nothin away from yours. I admire what you have posted. Just posted so you fellas know I aint gone belly-up, just doin the old job to make a little money.
rich
thanks slimbob was postin while you was :)
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Wow! Those are very detailed carvings. I can't imagine the time and effort involved in creating one.
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Incredible work, Rich. I knew you were an artist from seeing your bows but this goes to another lever or two maybe. ;)
Keep us posted with what you are working on. Your work is an excellent example why we have "Around The Campfire". 8)
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You're a man of many talents. Is there anything you can't do with wood? Thanks for posting those pictures.
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Beautiful, Rich! No wonder you are so cantankerous ;), you're an Artist. :D I see some I'd love to have.
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Incredible work Rich. What kind of wood do you use for the carvings?
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Woo, impressive stuff :)
Del
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Impressive Sir ! Really like the Ruffed Grouse - Bob.
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Rich
Damn you do nice work!
lovin the looks of the black crappie and splake.
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Thank you all for the comments fellas. Having screwed one hand and one eye, just hope that the quality and execution are still up to par. What I mean by that: for example, during the world championships for freshwater fish some of the judges are Ichthyologists and they check for the proper anatomical features like the number of soft-fin rays, anal spines, even the scale count down the lateral line better be perfect.....dont know if I'm still capable or not.
Hope it all works out cause I need the work, if the quality is still high enough. Thanks again fellas for the wonderful comments.
rich
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Wow Rich, those are impressive!
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Keep us up to date with a build along , Rich! I think I'm safe in saying it would be greatly appreciated by all!
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Those are very impressive!! - no matter if the scale count if off on the lateral line or not!! Good luck to you!!!
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I am blown away Rich.nice work.now I need to see some pics of those lures that you make.i am sure they are nice.
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that is some stunning carving there. well done.
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Wunderbar. Magnifique etc
carver Zuma lol
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Rich, That's an extreme amount of talent right there...That little woodpecker is awesome!
Don
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Lostarrow, dont know if that belongs on this site, but I'll ask a Mod, OK?
rich
got the ok to do it, so I'll post some pics as it goes along and explain what's going on. My time is gonna be on the carving so if I forget something please let m,e know.
rich
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Your craftsmanship never ceases to amaze me, you are one extraordinary fella.
Grady
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Hey Fellas,
here is some pics of the start and some to explain some of the criteria. First when carving birds I allways use a single block of wood for the body from top of the head to either the tip of the tail feathers or the tip of the under tail coverts if I'm going to insert the tail feathers and or the wings. So for a life size Bald eagle the block is really big. This required me to completely re-build my band saw so it will cut 13" deep under the top guide.
The whole project is going to be a bald eagle perched on a fish it has just caught, and is strating to feed upon. Since everything in my carvings is made by me (includes fish, rocks, any sand and or stones, anything. The only exceptions are the eyes and any metal required to form a support structure.
Here are pics of the stump that is going to be a pile of rocks, and the 26" pike start, and the block layout for the eagle. I included a bluegill I'm making for my wife so you can see it semi-finished and that it's all wood. The head needs to be finished, scales carved in, eyes installed etc. but you can also see that the open mouth fish are open all the way through the gills ( still from a solid block of wood).
The next pics will be how to cut out a serpentine fish body and still keep it square to the center lines.
rich
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next set
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last couple
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Following daily ! Basswood?
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Wow, Rich that is some amazing work!!!! I need a RR carved turkey decoy. I never knew ya carved.
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Thanks again fellas, lostarrow the bird and fish are tupelo the twin stump is ash the base I haven;t decided on yet probably black walnut or oak. I use either tupelo or basswood, the basswood responds well to blade type cutters and tupelo does better with "grinders". The basswood tends to fuzz up when ground but cuts very cleanly, tupelo grinds very well and cuts well while wet or green. The tupelo does have inter-tangled grain and holds detail slightly better.
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Rich, you never cease to amaze me. Wow! Stunning work my friend! Josh
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Never get tired of your bows Rich ,but that is some beautiful work right there. :)
Pappy
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Thanks Doc, Pappy....everyone...here's what I'm doing today. Starting to shape the stumps into rock shape rough outs. Figure where the "shelves" have to be and trial fitting the pike to check the overall height (affects the stance or posture of the bird. Then started to detail the pike head and pectoral muscles, nare and start the eye holes. here's the pics.
rich
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rest of the pics
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Thats super cool Rich!! I would love to come up and see this stuff in person. Always hoped you get back into some carving. You showed me a couple small examples of some old stuff you did. Impressive to say the least my friend! Nice work. Looking forward to seeing it finished.
Tattoo Dave
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I am loving that pike! My favorite gamefish of all time.
Nice work, Rich, not only an eye for detail, but an artistic touch, too.
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Wow!!!!!
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Wow, Rich. Amazing work! A man of many talents, indeed!! :o
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Knock my socks off!!
I love it all, but that little spinning lure is COOL!
Kevin
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Do you put in steady work days , or tend to binge obsessively?
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Thank you, again fellas,
Dave, anytime my friend
JW, could not agree more, a friend lives in Wyoming and they drained an entire lake to kill all the pike so they could plant trout, go figure. The reason for the pike in the first place is because of the lifting capacity for bald eagles.....most of the books say an average male can lift 2.5 - 3 pounds and a large specimen female maybe up to 4.5 - 5.0 pounds so this was the biggest fish I could think of that would be in the general neighborhood.
soy, leskin...thank you fellas
buffalo....all of my commissioned pieces have items included for interest or later discovery, like the "lost" mepps spinner. I also include things like lost pocketknives, fly reels etc.
lostarrow, I make myself do it every day like a regular job sort of....if the wife wants something done I work later that evening. Sometimes I need a break so I'll work on habitat or some such but usually I got to work for that butt-head employer (meaning me >:D)
rich
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Man these are awesome. I love wood carving, it would be cool to see a photo of all your go-to carving tools. I have lots of nice yew unsuitable for bows, if you have any interest in trading let me know! Would love one of your shorties
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What in tarnation hell Rich. That is some if the most beautiful carving I have seen. Does this mean no shorties for a while or for good. If it's for good then how am I going to acquire one of you bows >:D. I am going to be watching this like a hawk. I love wood carving. Not to do but the look. There is a gal out here named Lona that just passed away, she was one of the best I have seen too. Her work was mostly birds in the end. I saw a kestrel she did that was hard to believe. I am very glad to see some of you other work. You are a very talented man.
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Wizardgoat, I'll shoot some pics tomorrow, bud.
Idaho, Email me about a bow trade, got one going right now but allways time for friends.
Here's todays effort, after getting my bandsaw all set up from extending it's depth of cut. I did manage to get the Eagle roughed out of the block and the pikes pelvic and pectoral fins cut out.
2 sets of pics.
rich
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last 2 pics. If you notice the order of cutting is to cut out the plan view....then put the 2 pieces back on the block with masking tape, then cut out the profile.....cut right through the tape.
rich
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Can't wait to see more very interesting project.
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This is the best ,thanks for showing the down and dirty side of your work. I look forward to every addition
Thanks for sharing
Roger -Bone pile
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Thanks bonepile, these big projects are exactly that a big dirt pile for the first half anyway.
Wizard.... here are the tools. For most all carvings it is just the band saw and the foredom, but the chainsaw, saw's all, and grinders are for the big stuff like the full saixed deer, turkey, eagle etc. They would not be necessary, but it would take forever to get rid of the excess wood with the small tools.
rich
PS: most of my tools were 30 years old (like the wood burner in the pic with the grinders) but had to get a new foredom (and others) because they couldn't be repaired.....hell ya think they'd last more than 30 years >:D
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Cool! Looks like alot of fun. What are your favorite woods to carve?
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Wizard...I have carved most woods for "sculptures" but for the "realistic" projects it's either basswood (linden) or tupelo gum.
Today was chore day so I only had the second half to do some work. Decided to work on roughing in the paired fins of the pike to get them roughly fit to the "rock". The deal in this case is that this fish is not swimming he's alive but "pinned down" so the fins are slightly different in shape and "wave" from a study of just a swimming fish. Also the body of the pike will need to be carved out where the Eagle's right foot will have him pinned down, and the left pectoral may need to be re-done because the "first bite" will be in the area just between the pectoral and pelvic fins. Wont know exactly untill I carve the feet and have them positioned asnd the exact location of the torn-out piece of skin and flesh.
Anyway, here is where it stands now (the caudal fin will stay thick and unshaped till the last so it does not get broken while all the "handling" goes on.
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Man that is looking great !!!can't wait to see the next steps ;)
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Very cool build along Rich.
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here is the latest from today. Started on rough shaping the eagle. The first set of pics is how I start on these birds. start with the shoulder cuts and thin/taper the head and neck and work down to the upper cape and upper throat. Then progress downward to start to define the wings, leg feathers and belly area (second set of pics) so that's it for today.
rich
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second set of pics
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I keep checking in Rich, really enjoying this...Your a talented man sir...
Don
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Here is the next 2 steps. First laying out the feather groups on the back, further defining the tail line, and the second set of photos is from starting to define the head detail and major neck feather groups.
If this is becoming too intrusive I can not post anymore till it's done. Please advise, and here are the photos in 2 sets.
rich
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second set
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Not intrusive at all Rich, I'm enjoying watching this national symbol take life...Don't stop now, stay the coarse Sir.
Don
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Keep it coming, Rich. This is great.
Is that a check in the eagles beak?
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Pat, there are no checks, I think you might be seeing the line that seperates where the Ceres process meets the bill proper. I took some close up shots so you can get a better view, the first 2 are plain close up, the 3 rd is a pic of an actual eagle skull casting and the last is the other side of the bill area w/o carving.
rich
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Fellas, today was dry fit day....meaning I needed to figure some angle's and install 2 3/8" steel rods and make sure it all lines up, and then I will make the wooden fore-legs and feet. Here is a quick couple of pics to give you a rough idea of how it all goes together.
rich
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At this point, Rich, if you STOP posting pics, there will be a full scale riot.
If you lived closer, I would give you full access to all the live birds at the Black Hills Raptor Center as well as the artifacts (wings, feet, skulls, feathers, etc). We've had several carvers use our birds for models in the past, but none so skilled as you.
Are you going to finish with painting or woodburning in details? Or just bare wood?
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JW...it's gonna get the "whole nine yards" texturing, burning, painting for the bird, carved scales, soft fin rays, jaw and head pores for the pike, and the "rocks" get textured and painted so that everything looks as "real" as I can make.
rich
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Looking great Rich. I'm with j dub. Keep em coming
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Today's festivities included rough shaping the feet (which require being fit to the "rock", fish, and bird which is something I always look forward too. It is an excersize in fitting the feet after they are shaped, then fitting the bird by hollowing out the leg feathers, more work on the feet, refit the body ......ad-nauseum. Once it's all pretty well set, I needed to make the talons (each toe is different). This get's us to the point of needing to "finish carve the feet" and final layout for the leg feathers.
Two sets of pics, and again any ? please advise. A VERY BIG thank you to JW Halverson for saving me from having to do this all over again. My foot pattern is by a nationaly known artist and the feet looked wrong to me.....so I called in the cavalry (JW) so I now have ACCURATE examples of Eagle feet if I had followed the pattern they would have been all wrong.....THANK YOU JW !!!!!
rich
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second set of pics
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Just opened up this thread and WOW. Great build along Rich, I'll be checking in on this one daily now. Looks like your really moving along too, gonna be beautiful. :)
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I for one will not be "building along" on this one :P
Amazing work, will be following this.
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Rich, I just got a chance to look at this thread and about three pages in I realized that my mouth was hanging open.... I am truly amazed. I always knew you were a great craftsman, but I had no idea what a gifted artist you are. Amazing work my friend.
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Rich, I just got a chance to look at this thread and about three pages in I realized that my mouth was hanging open.... I am truly amazed. I always knew you were a great craftsman, but I had no idea what a gifted artist you are. Amazing work my friend.
Don't feel bad Mr Rhodes, most everything he posts leaves my fly trap hanging open!
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Mighty fine work, Rich. I am loving this.
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Thank you fellas, glad that you like it so far.
Well, one more day gone and here's what happened....Needed to make the other set of talons, refine and reshape the leg feathers after getting the bird setting just right, the leg feathers and clearing the rear toe (thumb) talons took several hours. Then I started to define the feet and get them ready for final sanding and woodburning (got one done....one to go. Also refined the pikes' final "rock-fit".
Two sets of pictures so you can see close up shots of some of the clearance and other details.
rich
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second set of pics
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Today consisted of finishing the left foot, ready for texture and burning, fitting the pikes' paired fins to the rock and in the proper attitude to expose the belly area to carve the "bite" which will be carved out. Also started laying out the tail feathers and relieving the flanks for the insertion of the six added tail feathers to form a "fan".
I'm going to post the pics in 2-3 sets here. Now I'm going to start the finishing process by disassembling the piece and starting from the rock up. so I will post the wood burned pike after carving in the scales and bite damage, then the feet will get finished....and then the bird will get pounced on. It'll be a few days till I get the pike scaled.
rich
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next set
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last ones
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very "cool"...Rich..................
DBar
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If I happen on a bald eagle skin I will send ya one along with water snake skins when I get a matched set!!!! Seriously Rich this is amazing art work.
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Looking good!!
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I have seen a lot of carved birds including plenty of carved raptors. Many of them are fantastic works but spoiled by a minor thing like posture angles. Your bird, Rich, is sitting at a very realistic and believable angle, and that's the thing that adds that last touch so that the whole thing is believable and lifelike.
Every day I check this thread to see more details and it's like Christmas morning all over again.
When it is finished, I would like a small set of digital photos so I can send them out to some raptor rehabbers I know. They would all get a big charge out of this!
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Thanks so much fellas, appreciate all the nice comments.
JW, thanks, means a lot from a man who knows his raptors. You are absolutely right on composition and attitude of subject. That's why I do all the rough-out work and early composition.....the idea is that the rough sculpture should give you the exact visual and feel as the finished work would. If the whole thing is right then it looks right....and if not something needs to change.
After all of your help the very least I could do is send you a set of pictures, both general and close-up shots. I can not thank you enough for the first-hand expertise, there is no substitute for having access to such knowledge.
rich
PS: will post up some burnt wood tomorrow.
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It's looking incredible already Rich! Nice work my friend.
Tattoo Dave
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fellas, here are some photo's of the pike with the woodburning completed. It will need to have the dorsal and anal fins blended in, and coated with sanding sealer. After that he gets a final checkup and then a coat of gesso.....and then finally the paint job.
The scales are my least favorite job because it's so tedious but it's the only way to make them look real of the finished carving. enjoy the pics and if any questions please advise.
rich
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Walleye be danged!
I would agree that would be tedious in the extreme. But the effect is amazing!
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I too, am checking on this daily, Rich. You are a real master! 8) 8)
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Hey Fellas, here's today's work so far.
The first 2 pics are actual fish to show some detail that you dont usually see in wildlife carvings. Pike have 8 sensory pores on the top of their head and have 6 or less pores (on @ side) on the bottom of their jaws.
The second set of pics is the carving detailing the head and a shot of the fin muscles with their partial scaling. Pics 1 and 2 are the pores and 3-4-5 show that the eyeballs are set correctly as the pupil follows you around. next thing is the jesso and paint.
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sorry about the first 2.....they were too big, so here they are now
rich
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Rich,
When I first seen this project in the beginning I never dreamed their was this much work involved in wooden carving until I seen each step you've posted and the many hours you've spent in the making of your art piece... Enjoying each step Sir and can't wait to see the final outcome...Excellent work and detail
Don
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I'm with Don, I had no idea how involved wood carving was, very impressed with the process and attention to detail.
Looking great Rich. :)
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Thank you fellas, it is a long process. Like eating the proverbial elephant....one bite at a time. I'm not up to the standard I used to be, and every night I get to pay the piper for the hand work, and one eye doesn't help with the depth perception much. I'm really glad to know though, it looks like the work is up to acceptable standards, we will see when it's done.
Again thank you for the nice comments
rich
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Don, this piece is really coming together! I'm enjoying watchin your process and progress.
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Today was work on the rocks day. Basically it involves priming the wooden rocks, when that's dry I add glue or thickened paint and then sawdust.....this mixture starts to develop a granular texture. Repeat until you are satisfied with the results. So here are the pictures.
I have not decided what to do with the area between the rocks. maybe smaller rock pile, or sandy-mud, or some moss. Needs to dry till tomorrow so I can sand it and make sure it's ready to paint.
rich
forgot to say the shorter rock is going to have a mossy, lichen surface on part of it.
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Rich your work is exceptional as always.......awesome stuff.
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Was stuck today waiting on the Gesso I ordered, so I detailed the feet and found a job thats as bad as fish scales....but did get them done. Hopefully tomorrow will see that Gesso so the feet and fish can get their paint jobs.
In some of the feet photos you can see that the rocks have their texture and ground coloring. Still deciding on what kind of rocks. I included some rock pics so ya can see what some of our rock looks like here....there is a lot of iron oxides in local rock so I'm debating to do these like in rock pic one.
rich
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Got to the rocks today. Decided on a sort of granite look for the eagle perch, and a bluish type for the smaller one. Notice the lichens on the blue rock....they are modeled after the ones in the last photo which was supplied by JWHalverson. I am not happy with the middle portion so it's going to get what looks like a pile of smaller (fist sized) stones.
rich
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Look'in real cool Rich....Keep them coming... :)
DBar
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If that gets much more realistic, you're gonna have to leave the door open so it can fly off! Nice.
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Fellas, managed to get the feet and pike painted, but not finished. By that I mean the feet need to have 2 coats of matt clear finish, and the fish needs to have the eyes cleaned and a heavy clear coat so it looks wet and the under colors come out. But you can get a rough idea.
The feet are painted with brushes and acrylics and washes, the fish are painted with lacquer and an air brush. The thin lacquer allows the fish to change colors as you walk around it.
So her's the pics, see what ya think....by the way the fish needs to be coated and then permanently mounted then the feet can be mounted and the talons finally installed. Also the "bite needs to be painted prior to the clear coat.....but it's gettin there.
rich
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Up until now I have been enjoying this....but now I feel bad for the poor little snot rocket pike! Waaaaah! :'(
DON'T STOP POSTING!
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All I can say, is wow ! Bob
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That is amazing, Rich! Keep em coming!
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It's like Michelangelo ran out of marble.
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OK fellas, these are the money shots of the base section. (understand that the base will have a formal piece of polished wood under the rocks and about 2" larger all around) I can can now get after the eagle proper, there are 2 sets of 6 pictures and all close up shots so if anything aint clear please let me know. My customer wanted "dripping water" on some parts and realism as to the "feeding" part but not gory....it is going in a home after all.
Thank you fellas for the nice comments and let me know what ya all think?
rich
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next 6
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only one word from me WOW. that is art at its best well done i cant wait to see it finished.
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Half eye... I`ve just seen this post... Normally I sped mot of my time in the flintknapping area, ut in looking around the rest of the site this afternoon, I found your "build along". May I just add my compliments to all those who have given theirs before me? Your carvng is fantastically detailed & lifelike, I applaud you efforts. You might have a slight vision problem with your eyes, but I don`t see any problems in the vision of the (nearly)completed work you`re after here. Beautiful work & great realism.... Thank you for taking the time to document your work allowing the rest of us to come along on your journey.
I think we need a "like" button on here...
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All I can say is that I now am craving shore lunch of fried pike filets and a cold Leinie!
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Looking great Rich. Can't wait for the next installment.
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Man oh man. I think she really looks great, Rich! I can't wait to see her all finished up!
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Did a little work on the bird today. I start at the head and work down toward the tail. I got the beak sanded down to almost finished dimensions, drilled in eye holes (1/8 too small), and started refining the feather groups on the head and cape area.
The eye holes are drilled to set the location but arer 1/8 too small so there is room to carve them in any direction to make them perfectly symmetrical (one to another) The first pic is the head prior to working on the "groups" and the last pic shows that I need to open the eyehole up on the rear side .....the left eye needs to be open on the forward edge to make them perfect. The head is the most important part.....cant have a crooked beak, crooked eyes, or both crooked to the skull etc. etc. enjoy the pics.
rich
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Excellent! The supraorbital ridge sticks out over the eye JUST like it should. That brow ridge shields the eye from injuries, like ours does and has the added benefit of working like a ball cap to shade the eyes. Lot of raptor carvings don't include this critical feature making the faces look bland, insipid, and characterless.
It's that ridge over the eye that gives them that angry look!
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Thanks JW....like I said, feed back from experts is really, really appreciated. The ridge on the skull casting is smaller of course so this was just my "best guess" on appearance once feathered.
rich
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And there is also some artistic license where you may emphasize a feature in order to elicit a certain response. For this carving, if I felt the brows were too large I would probably chalk it up to wanting to make the bird look more fierce.
But at some point, artistic license can slew sideways into caricature or cartoonish ridiculousness. Kinda like a famous painting of a mule deer bounding thru badlands with his large white tail erect and hair fanned out....LIKE A WHITE TAIL! Not mentioning the famous artist, but he's a hack! LOL.
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I cannot wait to see the finished piece. The detail is beyond belief , Rich again I say amazing!
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WOW
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Had some weather related issues so been down for a few days. Here is what I been up to today.
Opened up the eye holes and got the eyes where they needed to be....and the eyes mounted. The next thing was the eye-lids (for lack of a better word), then put the first layer of sawdust for the cheek pin-feathers and the small exposed sections of eye skull flanges. Then started the "stoning" on the head feathers......that will need to be finished on the entire head, then gone over again with the wood burner before we get to move on.
2 sets of pics, close-up's
rich
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next set
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Awesome Rich... :o The eye's just brought that eagle alive, gave it a soul so to speak. Wonderful job Sir
Don
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Damn Rich. That's looking great. I can't wait to see more.
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That's real nice, I envy your abilities. I have a question. When I first looked at the head I thought the beak was too short. Our eagles here on Vancouver Island have a larger/longer beak. I did a Google search for eagle images and it looks like the beak length varies from parrot like to Jimmy Durante length schnoz. Does anyone know if this is a local variation or a sub species or???
Don
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Thanks don, Idaho DC I believe that the variance in beaks has to do with age. The younger birds are not as deep so they look longer overall ....the older mature birds have heavier beaks in depth and they tend to look shorter....I'm sure that JW can answer you more succinctly. Another thing besides age is that southern birds are smaller than Northern birds so body size can make the beak look different because we see them in relation to the body/head size. That's my take on it anyway.
rich
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Here are some close up shots to show how the head feather groups are being defined and the way they will stand off of the body....well the start of it anyway.
rich
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Remember, many of those photos can be from captive birds and there will be HUGE variations depending on when the beak was last coped. Coping involves cutting back the beak and reshaping. In captivity, most raptors do not seem to wear down their beaks like they do in the wild. Not to say that the birds in the wild will also have variable sized beaks, depending on what stratum they are "wiping" their beaks off after eating.
Rich, this is just amazing, I am seriously loving this sculpture!
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Here is the pics from todays work....I stone textured the entire head, added a second layer of saw dust to the pin feathers, and coated the head with lacquer sanding sealer. The stoning leaves very fine rough spots that have to go and the sanding sealer makes those hard and brittle. I then painted on 2 coats of gesso to highlite all the rough spots and places that needed more work.
When that dried, I took all the roughness out of the feathers by "sanding" with a little deal I make. It's a cutting wheel mandrel with scotch-brite pads and it really gets rid of the "burrs" without ruining the texturing. When that's done I recoat with gesso and then do any necessary additional stoning. As of this evening I have the base color coats on the head but no finished feather paint or any parts for that matter....just base coats.....thats where it stands as of now.
rich
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next set.
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simply awemazing wood work!
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Masterful, Rich. Masterful!! :)
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That eagle is coming alive right before our eyes. I like the photos Rich and the fact that your taking them from many different angles. I have to say he looks very real and authentic even when viewed from the different angles. Keep up with the post, this is fascinating to watch coming together.
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Today is being spent on working on body feathers and final defining of the wings. First I draw on the feathers, then define each one with a ruby carver, the sand each one into a convex profile and then they get woodburned. I usually do not burn untill all are carved but thought I would do some to give you the idea. From now on it will be mostly just like this untill I reach the tail and the upper and lower coverts and actual tail feathers....if your arent tired of this I will post @ evening so you can see how the body is progressing.
In the wood burn photo the feathers on the lower edge are actually part of the wing and not the cape and so thats why they are "on top" of the cape feathers. Also you can see where the head feathers are reshaped and angled and retextured.
Yosemite, Ken, B2....thank you for the nice comments.
rich
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next set
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Here is the chest and upper belly....as far as I got today.
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Haven't had time to come on much lately , Rich, but I'm still following! Quick question , how do you deal with variation in wood movement between different pieces of wood. The feet and the body for example? I know I'm jumping ahead here , so if the answer is forthcoming , feel free to tell me to be patient! ;)
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Unbelievable work Rich! Keep it coming
Tracy
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Wow rich! Absolutely beautiful. Ever make a wooden skull? I think that's be cool. I'll keep watching
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Lostarrow, All the bits and pieces are glued together as they are finished. The pike was glued down after it was finished, then the finished feet were placed where they belonged, and the bird installed while the glue dried and then the bird came off to fork on. When the bird is done I will fill the leg holes full of epoxy and set the bird. The bird will also have 2 screws (under the inserted tail feathers) to make the whole thing one solid piece. It has a long vehicle trip ahead of it.
Thanks Tracy, and blair. I have carved skulls as part of the habitat but they were animal skulls, not human.
rich
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Wow , fantastic artwork !
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Never mind , I just had a brain fart! I see now that the carved feathers on the legs will cover the joint where it meets the feet . Love the step by step ! Carry on!
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I meant animal, who wants a human skull? Lol
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*slowly raises my hand*
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Only got 5 hours in today, so here is that bit. Thought you might look at feather burning so there is that as well. I got about 60 feathers done with an average of 75 lines per so that's a bout 5min to sand and burn a feather....really slow compared to the young carver.
It's gonna be like this for a day or two, so will post again then when there is something new. There are several shots of the burnt feathers so you can see that they actually refract light....and will do so when painted.
rich
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Rich, The feather detail is so life like. If I ever become financially overwhelmed ( to the positive) I will commission you to carve a life size warrior of one of the Federation tribes complete with functioning weaponry.
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Amazing stuff Rich. Can't wait to see something in person soon. What a gift you have.
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These pictures are of the transition areas so you can see how that is done. There is the upper shoulder area in the feather pattern, flow, and type and then there is the portion where the head feathers contact the body.
There is a photo of a practice block where there are 3 different ways to to smaller, flatter feathers as compared to the body. Any time there is exposed shoulders on a bird you have the issue of replicating the feather direction and type. Since this bird is partially stretched out his shoulders show and at the same time are slightly different from each other because of it's "stance.
rich
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Man Rich that is coming along beautifully 8) I know one thing and that is you have some serious patience bud and talent...Looking forward to seeing the finished art
Don
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Thanks Don, Dan...A few more days and I'll be down near the tail and we can get back to some less boring stuff. I check every morning and damned if that feather fairy ever comes during the night, must be using the wrong bait,eh >:D
rich
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Got the body re-shaped and most of the feather groups down to the tail coverts and about 1/2 done with the burning. Here's the pics. The last pic is to show how the belly and legs feathers are laid out.
On the side I have done the groups consist of under marginal coverts, humerals, upper post humeral coverts, upper median secondary coverts, median coverts, major coverts, upper major secondary coverts and upper marginal coverts of the hand.
This is the part that nobody likes and I apologize if this is getting old, I can wait till I'm at the tail if you fellas are getting bored with all this woodburning stuff....I'm sure getting tired of it for sure.
rich
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forgot to say that the big feathers in the middle of the back (1/2 are burned) those are the tertials.
rich
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Been watching and all I can say is amazing!
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Incredible..................I can't express what I am seeing in words. Blown away by the detail.
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OK, Rich. It's time for an update... ;D
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Hey fellas,
Got down to the point where its time to start inserting the 6 tail feathers that will form the "partial fan". Will be starting the inletting process today. In the meantime I reassembled the bird to see where the exposed belly feathers would be....so here are those pictures. Will up-date with the tail inletting hopefully tonight or tomorrow.
rich
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Wohaaaaa
gorgeous work !!!
Beware that in the end that bird will fly away with its fish!
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Got the tail feathers rough inlet so here are the pics.....first set are the inlet slots and rough fitting and the second set are the basic layout for these feathers. They will be woodburned, final fit, but left off untill the rest of the bird is finished AND mounted so that the screws will be hidden by the inserts. so I can now finish carving the tail coverts and primaries and get wood burned then we are on the downhill finishing slide....
rich
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second set
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Hey Rich, I'll trade you a knotty osage stave for that bird thingy. ;)
Incredible work Rich. Very special! 8)
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I just don't have the words.....totally speechless. That is without a doubt the most beautiful piece of work that I've ever seen! Man... there are no words eloquent enough to do that justice . Wow! Josh
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I just don't have the words.....totally speechless. That is without a doubt the most beautiful piece of work that I've ever seen! Man... there are no words eloquent enough to do that justice . Wow! Josh
No kidding....I tried!
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Josh, Pat, JW....thanks for the compliments, but it sure doesn't reach the level you all are putting it at, really. I thank you none the less.
rich
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For a bunch of bozos like us it does, Rich. ;D
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here it is for so far today, reduced the tail deck feathers and separated them, started to define the upper tail coverts and finalize the tail feather position where they get covered by the upper cpverts. I said back at the beginning I usually throw some "lost" items into a carving for some interest.....on this one I'm making a "lost" feather.....the second set of pics is that.....the last one shows how I heat bend the feather to get it to curve to fit the base.
rich
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second set
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Incredible. That's a masterpiece in the making Rich.
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Rich,
Haven't caught up with you in a loooong time.
I have a question about the carving....is there anything that you can't do WELL artistically?
you always amaze me.
Nice to see your latest...
And by-the-way you are not allowed to go belly-up. That's an order,.....uh.... Sir. ;)
Keep your tie out of the gravy
Ron
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More great stuff, Rich! Thanks! ;)
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Fellas, finally got the wood burning under control and ready to paint. I put the bird back on the rock to make sure the fanned tail feathers will fit like I wanted so I shot some close-up's for ya to see where it stands. I need to brush clean and coat with sanding sealer and commence to painting.
3 Sets of pictures
rich
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second set
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last ones
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Simply Amazing, Rich! Can't wait to see it finished.
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Great work Rich ;D
Del
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I'm enjoying watching this come together, it looks absolutely beautiful Rich.
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Wow .... :P
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That is one sweet display, Rich!! You're the man!! 8)
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mullet, Del, B2, country, Ken.....thank you for the comments fellas, I thought I would post a few pics of a "practice feather" so you can see how they change color depending on the light angle , also the last pic is what it looks like in inside ambient light......BUT I am currently having Mr. JW looking at the colors to make sure I get them absolutely correct before handpainting every feather on the bird.....JW I cant thank you enough for your expertise and willingness to help....thank you sir.
rich
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Fade the dark into the lighter tips on the feathers and you got it!
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Thank you sir, see what we can come up with
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Does this color change margin seem better, or still not right?
thanks
rich
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Rich, that feather looks real enough to fletch an arrow with. Outstanding job all around true work of art.
Keith
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That's the ticket!!!
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These carvings are all really great. My dad and a friend of his used to do duck decoys and fish, but nothing on par with these, thats for sure. The post has inspired me to see if I can get a hold of some of their work to display at my new house. I've got an excellent mantle to put a few on.
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Man rich. I can't wait to see what the feathers look like painted. They already look so good. You are a true artist in every respect. Keep em coming. I'm almost a little sad it's almost done. ;)
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Man I want just one of those feathers! It looks so real rich! Great thread and is there anything u can't do? Wanna bake my wedding cake ;0)
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Got all the feathers base coated and now doing the margins on the body feathers, then highlite the white feathers and detail the head, then it's done except for the formal base which is about 1hr's work....here's some teasers for now seems slow but it's one feather at a time from here on out
rich
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WOW, Rich! Wow! That is astounding work.
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It is looking good, Rich! 8)
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Lookin great Rich.
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Wow! Just wow! Josh
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Rich? Are you gonna get this finished before the bird finishes eating the pike???
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All painted for now....too cold and rainy for outside pics but here are some inside to see what ya think
rich
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some more
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Got an estimate of the hours in this? Or should I even ask???
Amazing, Rich, just amazing!
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Found this only now, and I will be back!
Last time I was in the US, Japp Koppedrayer's wife took me out to a wood carver's exhibition, and I've seen some amazing stuff there, but honestly don't recall having seen something THAT amazing!
Truly impressed, also by the patience that goes into it!
Thanks for sharing it!!!
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I think I said wow, already. But if I didn't I'll say it again.
Wow... love the contrast in finish/texture wet fish vs dry feather.
I think you need to watch out in case it just ups and flies away :laugh:.
Great work Rich
Del
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That is amazing work, Rich! A fine job, indeed, Sir! ;)
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Very,very nice! I would like to see a picture of it set up by a creek or lake. I bet you could see the feathers move.
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I would like to second Del's WOW! That is simply amazing!
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Very nice doesn't say it all, but I have a very simple vocabulary. I am suffering from carving envy now.
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Those are truly remarkable sir!
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thank you fellas, appreciate it very much....I'll try to get some natural light pics when the base is on it and the rain lets off.....I'm pretty sure there is a sun left, although we haven't seen it here lately.
rich
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It's a thing of beauty Rich. Looks so real in all the details, amazing talent you have sir. :)
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Great job rich. This has been one of the coolest follow alongs. Thanks for taking the time. To post :)