American Kestrel WIP

[Orygoner]

I've got a Kestrel ready for painting. This is the point at which my confidence heads down the road. So, I'll show the unpainted bird just in case the painting bombs.

This is the basic bird in the Scholz book. The mount is simply a chunk of Big Leaf Maple burl. It's not quite finished either.

The toes are cast pewter (cheating, I know). The legs are brass rod covered with sculpting putty. That gray band around his neck is also sculpting putty. I didn't like his first head so whacked it off and carved a new one. I cut a groove along the glue line and put in the sculpting putty to hide the seam.

[Hugh-P]

Your doing a super job on the Kestrel, be sure to post when your finished painting.

[Joy]

That is a very alert looking kestrel. It already looks alive. Think positive thoughts while painting.

[squbrigg]

Nice work Randy. Looking really good.

Bob

[markken5889]

Wow Randy, that's one beautiful carving you've done thus far - I love it! Super attention to detail and burning.

I had the opportunity to meet Floyd Scholz last fall at a NE carving show. He took a few minutes to talk with me, get to know about me and my carving a bit, and gave me some pointers. What a gracious man!

Good luck with the painting - just take it slow and light. you can always add more color, it's just harder to take it off!!!

Mark

[Paul_Guraedy]

The kestrel is looking great. I know the feeling of......uh oh, it's time to paint!

What type of sculpting putty did you use? Did you do anything special to make it stick to the brass? I have used the two-part "stick" type to make talons and have used some green stuff (a friend had) called Apoxy to fill in where a large delicate piece chipped off.

How did you attach the brass rod to the pewter feet? I am considering buying a "gas welding" rig and learning to braze metal. I want to start making bird legs strong enough to support large pieces in whatever position I choose to put them in. I have a barn owl underway (the body part) and want to have it leaning forward almost ready to fly, so the weight will be far off balance.

I hope you will keep posting WIPs as you move into the final stage of finishing.

[Wildbirdcarver]

Orygoner, I feel your pain on painting birds. Jerry Simchuk Jerry Simchuk Art Studio has put out a book on the kestrel (and other books) and I have started enjoying painting by following his techniques. Check out his web site. Even email him as he has been very helpful to me.
BTY, good looking kestrel, you can be proud of your accomplishment. Dick

[torpidhummer]

Randy so you are doing a great job,can't wait to see the finished kestrel.
I'm like both you and Paul,painting for me is the hardest part of carving birds.
Oscar

[ks_woodcarver]

Great job Randy! Painting is the tough part for me also, just take your time and keep plenty of reference photos close by. If you have a raptor recovery program or univeristy nearby with a kestrel, it really helps me to go out and study them for a while before painting and even take a few pictures if they will allow it. Please be sure to post a few pictures when you are done.
Mark

[Orygoner]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I started painting today but not much more than cape and coverts...and a bit of the head area with similar color.

Originally Posted by Paul_Guraedy

What type of sculpting putty did you use? Did you do anything special to make it stick to the brass? I have used the two-part "stick" type to make talons and have used some green stuff (a friend had) called Apoxy to fill in where a large delicate piece chipped off.

I used a product from a supply house out here (Sugar Pine Carvers). It's their house brand...a two part epoxy. http://http://www.sugarpinewoodcarvi...c34992dee8c011 It is less stiff than the yellow/blue Master Blend ribbon epoxy. Also the working time is a bit longer and allows for easier sculpting of leg detail I think.

How did you attach the brass rod to the pewter feet? I am considering buying a "gas welding" rig and learning to braze metal. I want to start making bird legs strong enough to support large pieces in whatever position I choose to put them in. I have a barn owl underway (the body part) and want to have it leaning forward almost ready to fly, so the weight will be far off balance.

I used 3/32" brass rod and had to drill out the holes in the pewter toes to accommodate that diameter. For the intial bond I used some super glue gel followed by just a dab of 5 min epoxy underneath. The sculpting epoxy probably adds a bit of bond too. I think you'd be in a better position for strength with the approach you're considering for the larger birds. A recent Wildfowl Carving Mag had an article by Jerry Simchuk on making barn owl feet that pretty much uses that approach.

I'll put up another pic or two when I get a little further along in the painting.