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This is a black duck im working on for an old friends birthday. Its the first raised wing bird Ive done. Might be the last too. What a PIA.

Wow that looks good so far, I don't have enough artist in me to carve something like that.

Sent from my phone

You only have to know what a duck looks like to be able to carve one Olly. Thanks man

Nice! Looking forward to seeing some color on it.

Olly wrote:Wow that looks good so far, I don't have enough artist in me to carve something like that.

Sent from my phone

x2.

Looks good!

I know what the Mona Lisa looks like, too, but it doesn't mean I could paint the damn thing!

Damn that's gonna look good painted up!

Looking sharp, keep us posted with pics on how the painting turns out.

assateague wrote:I know what the Mona Lisa looks like, too, but it doesn't mean I could paint the damn thing!

Yea but you dont tell a kid wanting to start into waterfowling "hey this crap sucks only killing one black duck a day." or do you... I try to encourage everyone to give it a shot. I find it very relaxing and rewarding. Not to mention carving is the only time Im not working or listening to a kid crying to complaining. I have 3 in the works at this time...


Thank you for the kind words fellas.

Looks great! One of these days I'm gonna see if I can afford to commision a piece of your art.

Damn man that thing is awesome. Makes me wish I was your friend.

I like it keep us updated

Thanks guys. I got some sanding done and still have to work the bill and underside of the tail a bit. I'll post up some more pics soon. I also have another dipper in the works, a redhead next and then on to a full body brant and life size swan. My wood supplier is going to be very happy with me in the next month. I cant wait to carve that brant.

That looks sweet. I'm going to be delving into some carving soon. Might hit you up for some tips!

Not a problem man. Anytime.

A little more shaping and sanding done. I have about 5 on the bench to paint now.


I knocked this one out Sunday. This is the first one I did with a hatchet.

Looks great, im going to try a hatchet job some day
That Brant you're doing, is it a commission or is it going to the Puget show?

Hey Rick. It's a commission. Took a fella out to get his first brant last year. Lucky dog dropped a double banded bird out of a flock of 20. He wants a full body so he can put the bands on it.
That last canvas blue wing you did was awesome by the way.

Looks awesome. Cant wait to see it with paint.

Baysider wrote:Hey Rick. It's a commission. Took a fella out to get his first brant last year. Lucky dog dropped a double banded bird out of a flock of 20. He wants a full body so he can put the bands on it.
That last canvas blue wing you did was awesome by the way.

Thanks, it was my second full size bird completed and first one I've sent to a show. I was just happy to see it floated, I didnt get a chance to test it before shipping.
If I can get some things out of the way I will send a couple to the Puget show.
How long did it take to get it shaped with the axe?

Within 10 minutes I was hitting it with a spoke shave. I might sell my drawknife. The only knife work was around the tail and the neck/body transition.
DougC from the carving forums by the way.

Ah ok, figured it was someone from there.
I've been looking at some hatchets, probably pull the trigger on one soon.

Any hatchet will work. The one I used was a craftsman. You'll need to take a bastard file and flatten the side of the blade that would be facing the decoy while you work. Much like flattening the back of a chisel. Then sharpen the opposite side. Hold the head of the hatchet in your hand as you work. A heavier head works best as you dont want to swing the hatchet. You want the weight of your hand and blade to do the work.

That's all good to know Doug thanks for the tips


Rick

I still have a lot to learn myself but I dont mind sharing the little I do know.