1st Hen

[RickC]

Having avoided carving up hens at all costs I finally did one to completion. I started a blue winged teal back in July or August, got frustrated and stuck it on a shelf. Decided to try a GWT hen and it has to be finished as its going to an awesome little girl in South Texas. Its carved out of tupelo, hollowed, weighted internally, competition grade glass eyes, sealed with 2 part marine epoxy and since I was pressed for time it got an acrylic paint job.

[The Duck Hammer]

Beautiful decoy Rick. Fine job on it.

[Bad17]

Excellent

[Bufflehead]

Looks good

[Goldfish]

Is it just the feather detail that's worse on hens or went the hesitation before this?

[RickC]

Is it just the feather detail that's worse on hens or went the hesitation before this?

Is it just the feather detail that's worse on hens or went the hesitation before this?

Yep, feathers. They require so much more work. Everything from the layout to having to paint over each of them 3 - 5 times depending on the bird. There are much easier gunner versions that can be done Im just not a big fan of them and they really dont push for improvement. This is a pair of Charlie "Speed" Joiner decoys and you can see the style. I like it and will do some similar at some point but for now I'm looking to push myself.

[Deltaman]

Nice work Gene!!!!!!!

[Goldfish]

How do you do all the... speckling(?) then on the male? That seems tougher, but I haven't done it

[RickC]

Vermiculation is what I think your talking about and it can be done different ways. Usually its done by using some modeling paste mixed with the paint. Once applied special combs are drug through in sweeps or wiggly lines. Once thats dried the top color can be eithet dry brushed across the top or done by whats called ragging. Wiping a piece of cloth with paint on it over the areas.
Another way is the way I did the Smew and is more tedious and overly exaggerates and area. I painted the sides black and after it had dried brushed white on top then drug a blunted toothpick through the gwt paint.

[Goldfish]

You ever think about using a paint marker? Or is that too thick?

[RickC]

That is another way. When I did smew I thought about using one but was interested in trying scratch painting anyways so wet that way