bird carving

[hen]

I was wondering, when doing a carving, what is the best way or technique
to carve a bird with it's head turned? and or is there a tutorial on the
boards somewhere?

thanks,hen

[Paul_Guraedy]

I do not recall a tutorial specifically on bird carving. I know that transfering a pattern to wood has been mentioned. This is what you need and it does not have to be a bird.

The first thing I do is to draw my pattern out on paper. Since I am not very good at drawing, I have found it much easier to put my patterns onto graph paper with large squares. If the pattern does not look right, I start counting squares to see where I am out of balance.

My next step, if I skip making a clay model, is to cut out the outline of my drawing and tape it on to my block of wood. Then I can use a band saw, large gouges, or fast cutting burr to get rid of the excess wood.

This way the head position is already accounted for. If you happen to be carving a decoy, many carvers have the head as a separate piece and glue it in the position they want. Think of the white band on a male mallard. That is about where the attachment line would be located.

[markken5889]

Hi Hen,

I think Paul nailed it, so to speak. When I've done duck decoys, I almost always carve the head as a separate piece. That way I can turn the head and/or change the attitude of the head up or down by making small alterations on the neck joint.

I also did a blue jay - posted somewhere in the bird & animal section from a few months ago - with the head turned almost completely facing backwards. I drew that "from scratch" and made my own pattern. I just drew from what I'd seen in a few photos I'd googled.

Hey - give it a try!!! Good luck - and PLEASE show us how you're doing with it!

Mark

[Hugh-P]

All good advice. We all have our own way of doing things, My preference for turning the head of a bird, is to leave the neck and head block big enough to turn it in any direction. Lay out the center line for the direction you want, draw the shape of the head along the direction of the center line, then start by carving off the wood around the shape you have drawn on the top, and work from there, much the same as if the head is pointing straight ahead.
I've posted a photo of a BC Chickadee that has the head turned, hope this explains it a little better.

[markken5889]

great point, Hugh. That drawn-in centerline is SO important! It's a great reference point.

Mark

[mark yundt]

Hugh nailed it again. Good description and reference points.
There is a certain integrity in keeping the block whole.Over time I've seen , because of the different orientation of the grain cracks develop. Also it eliminated the need for fillers and finding ways to disguise the joint. Many fillers don't react to stones, carving, or burning tips the same way as the surrounding wood. I believe it makes a difference. Of course it's a bit more difficult to position the head as you can't keep spinning it around if it were separate,, and you basically have one chance to get it right. Nice work Hugh.

[markken5889]

One thing I've noticed when I've followed the technique Hugh describes: you have to be REALLY observant and careful of the grain of the piece. You can't assume that the grain will cut the same direction for the head as it did for the rest of the piece. Just go slow, pay attention and you'll be fine!

Mark

[hen]

I would like to thank everyone for the advise and help for my project
i am kinda new at carving but willing to try and learn.
i forgot to mention i will be doing my carvings out of Tupelo gum
down here where i am from it grows abundant in the swamps.

thanks,hen

[mark yundt]

OK Hen,, I'm not too envious. Not sure where you're located exactly but there are SO many great bird carvers from the South using Tupelo. Actually that's the preferred wood as I'm sure you know to build a great bird.

Being a new carver, doing a bird with it's head turned, can be challenging. To get some birds under your belt and learn all the things you'll need to know,, cutting the head and turning it can be a handy short cut initially until you learn the tools and get a feel for carving birds. Turning the head in one piece is a natural progression as experience takes hold and skills develop. My initial Ducks had separate heads.. usually because I couldn't get large enough pieces. But song birds I always did one piece. They are more difficult to hide a neck joint if you cut them apart. And being so small they are much easier to do and if you goof up you don't loose much time and wood because you see the result so early in the process.
Have fun and keep at it.

[Hugh-P]

I'm not envious either, grin, glad that someone can get a good price on Tupelo. Good luck with your carving !!