Feather dye job

[tattoo dave]

So back in the day when I was in art school, I would make my own wood stain in order to get the colors I wanted for any given sculpture. I figured I would play around with the same homemade stains for dying some feather. And I thought you all might enjoy it. The pics pretty much say it all. Just mix an oil based paint with some thinner, I used acetone just because I have some already. Mix it about 60/40, 40 being the thinner, and brush it on. Twenty minutes later, I'm done experimenting and you can see the results for yourself. The best part is by the time I finished all the colors the first ones I did were dry.

Tattoo Dave

[Danzn Bar]

Wow looks real good ...I've got to try that.  Does it stiffen up the feather or does it say soft?
DBar

[tattoo dave]

Seems to be pretty soft still. I'll let ya know if that changes. This experiment is only about 30 minutes old.

Tattoo Dave

[osage outlaw]

Those look great.  Will the colors fade if you get them wet?

[tattoo dave]

I'm guessing that they won't fade when wet, due to the fact it's an oil based paint. They have stiffened up just a touch, but not enough to cause a problem. I'll make some arrows, maybe do a build along just for kicks and grins.

Tattoo Dave

[Trapper Rob]

Those look nice Dave.

[Hawkdancer]

Nice work, Dave.  Looks real good.  I am going to try to make some stain using red oiser dogwood bark, I am carefully peeling the outer bark, and will boil it down Native American style.  Any advice to pass on?  Thanks,
Hawkdancer

[Scottski]

Nice

[chamookman]

Nice  ! Bob

[selfbow joe]

Looks good!  Keep up posted on how they hold up.

[tattoo dave]

Thanks fellas. It's not primitive but a quick and easy way to dye them just for fun.

Hawkdancer, I've never tried red osier stain before. I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Tattoo Dave

[Ed Brooks]

looks great. with it being oil based, I'm wondering if it will help repel water. thanks for sharing. Ed

[TSA]

man, what a great idea!
i like the comment about possible waterproofing, as thats always a problem for us up here in a coastal rain forest. its always raining- just at different angles!

if it doesnt effect their flight past the bow shelf- you will really have something there!
did you paint the entire feather- or just the lighter sections?
cant wait to see the buildalong!

good job!!

[TSA]

hawkdancer, what colour will the bark dye the feathers- and how do you do it?

[Patches]

Looking forward to seeing how this experiment ends.  I dye them with kool aid, and it would be nice to have some new options for colors. 

Neal