[Tony]

Hi Lynn,
I have visited your blog site and it is really terrific. Thanks for doing all of that. I am new to that type of site. What does it cost to register to post at your site?

I have a few questions for you. I have been away from this site for awhile so forgive me if these questions have already been asked. I will try to put them in a form that you can hopefully answer easily and quickly. I also have painted with acrylics for the past 16 years and use almost a tint with the idea of adding paint to my water. I do not condition the wood before painting, only make sure it is clean. As a last step I use 50:50 boiled linseed oil : mineral spirits after I am all done painting to take some of the harshness of the color away to make things look more natural. I have gotten away from a touch of burnt umber oil paint in the linseed oil. Finally after everything is all dry, I spray a light coat of Krylon matte finish on it. I do not wax usually and usually do not use semi-gloss spray.

It seems that the color of your carvings is very rich with some shine to the final product like George Whitefeather (Indian bust with cavalry coat).

How are you applying the paint and finishing it?

How did you apply the feathers and braids for this bust?

What size low dome tacks are you using for the conchos? I saw two sizes, 5/16" or 7/16"?

What finish on these is easiest to work with, brass, antique, or antique silver?

Lastly on George Whitefeather what are the two pendants made of and also the buttons on the tunic?

Thank you for your time. If any of this are things that you want to keep to yourself, that is no problem. I understand. I did not perceive that as an issue when I read all of the wonderful things you have shared at your site. I look forward to seeing more of your work and enjoy reading the material at your site. It is encouraging and fun. Thanks again.

Tony

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Tony....Thanks for your interest in my work. It costs nothing to register on my blogsite. You do have to type in the matching letters to post though. That keeps out all those Terrorists who are after me for carving that Suicide Bomber!

I too painted for quite a long time before taking up carving. I just transferred my watercolor techniques over to wood and it worked out pretty good. Once the carving is done I soak it in water and paint it while wet. That draws the paint down into the wood and give it that soft, stained apearance. Once the carving is painted and completely dry I brush on a coat of Poly Urethane satin varnish, wiping off any shiny areas with a paper towel. Don't use a cloth as it will leave lint behind. I never use spray varnish as there are so many raised and lower areas on a piece it is impossible to get an even finish. The old brush is the best way...trust me.

The feathers are carved and attached and then removed, painted and then reattached once everything is finished. The braids are integral to the piece except where there is a grain conflict and then I will attached them for added strength.

I get my "Low Domed" tacks from www.crazycrow.com. Call them and they'll send a catalog for free. Lots of stuff in there to use. I just ordeded a package of all their tacks so I'd have a selection to choose from depending on the project. The finish doesn't really matter as I buff it off prior to painting so the paint will hold better. The buttons on his coat are small decorative tacks also.

His pendants are carved and painted. I did put a little twist of darkened wire out of the neck piece to add a little interest. It's those little things thak make a piece look really sharp.

Some might think the way I do my add-ons or attach extra wood is not ethically correct. Well, I didn't get into this to be ethically correct I came here to have fun and that's what I do, have fun!

Please...don't hesitate to ask questions. I'll help you in anyway I can.

[Tony]

Thank you very much for your post, Lynn. It was helpful and very nice of you. I appreciate you placing a photo of the rear of George Whitefeathers. I was wondering what that looked like. For some reason I cannot get these thumbnails to enlarge when I click on them. Can you put that photo on your blog site as I have no trouble there?
I would like to know how the feathers are attached.

I have looked through the Crazy Crow catalog on line and there is quite alot there. I will call tomorrow and request the catalog.

When you soak the carving in water before painting it, how long do you do that? Some people are hesitant to let water touch the wood but I too have not had a problem with that when I have done it. I have run a carving under the faucet and scrubbed it with a toothbrush and a pinch of liquid detergent in solution to clean it.

When you paint with the acrylics, do you use then straight out of the bottle undiluted?

I worry about pegging attachments for fear that I will have a gap that needs filled which will not take up the paint the same as the surrounding wood making the joint more visible. I read that you carefully use your sander to achieve a good fit.

Incorporating other elements and materials into a carving is interesting and adds another dimension of artistic creativity. There is a place for everything. I find your approach refreshing and the pieces are visually engaging. After all, this is supposed to be fun for the person doing it.

Thanks for your help. I do appreciate it and look forward to seeing more of your work.

Tony

[Thomp]

if the attachment thumb nails are not enlarging, then allow the fourm to have popups, this fourm uses pop ups to show new attachments as well as links you click on , so you dont loose your place,

i have been reading this board for 3 years or more and no pop up here has hurt me...

fyi
thomas

[squbrigg]

Tony....when you click on a picture, does a pop-up appear? If it seems the same size, stretch one corner of the frame (I use bottom right) to see if it will increase the size. It should.

Bob

[Lynn O. Doughty]

When I soak a piece prior to painting I don't really "soak" it. I just wet it to get it damp. I paint with washes, hardly ever using the paint straight. Lightly burning the areas between the colors keeps the wet paint from bleeding into the other areas.