Bird carvings

[cedarshavings]

Hey guys,
I'm new to this site and probably considered new to carving but I have done a few projects. I need some advice on some detailing birds. I've carved a couple of birds and some feathers and when I finish with the carving and burning the details I think it looks great, but after I paint it the details are not so noticeable. I've used gesso as a base sealer but I'm not sure it is doing what it is supposed to. I could use some advice from you more experienced folks. I hate putting in all those hours and then my satisfaction
plunges at the end of my work.

Thanks

[Bob's Birds]

I noticed in your note thart you used Gesso first. Perhaps , you are applying it much to thick. Try putting on a couple of coats of really watered down gesso .
I have gone away from using gesso for small birds and use a sanding sealer or a clear brushing Laquer cut in half with laquer thinner.
Hope this helps.
I do finding the painting of wood carvings is entirely another art form. If you are good in painting your carvings will always look great.

Bob

[mark yundt]

I have used Gesso as a base coat as well,under acrylics, after sealing with Deft first..Bob has the right idea,,thin it down,and pull it out,,don't let it pile up in the details,,also brush in the direction of the feathers and detail lines,, not across,use a good quality and fairly firm brush for this "prime" coat and you should be O.K. after that.I've been doing most lately (when I actually do one) in oils,,with these generally go straight to the wood.

[cedarshavings]

I've read a little about Deft. Is that sold at craft stores with everything else?
Do I need to thin down that also?

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Try "KT Super Sealer" it comes in white or clear and you can woodburn through it.

[feb]

I don't know what gesso is, bt we had a program on water colors last night and the speaker said to use hide gkue that you mix with water to the desired thickness. You can get it at mountain woodcarving. feb

[mark yundt]

Gesso If I understand it correctly is really a plaster based primer,,used basically for prepping canvas for regular oil paintings.You can find it at most craft/art supply stores. Deft ,you might find at craft stores,,but more likely at hardware/home centers is a type of varnish/finish,,that is Laquer based,,has a very distinctive coconut type smell to it.Use it straight up,,brushing out coats,,one maybe two..soaks in well,,and seals the surface.I've never heard about using the hyde glues,,most bird carvers I know use the TK water seal,,Curts waterfowl sealer (great stuff by the way) or the Deft.

[Marc Barger]

Maybe I'm not understanding but it seems to me that you're putting the gesso on before sealing it?? That'd be a big no no as it'll raise the grain big time. You have to seal the wood first THEN paint. I use two coats of thinned down lacquer first and it really soaks in. First coat pretty much disappears into the wood. Second coat too actually, which to me having a woodworking background, is a good thing. Means it's soaked deeply into the wood. Making it pretty much water proof. Which you have to have using acrylics...or gesso. Myself I don't know why people use gesso. To me it fills too much detail and with some areas on a carving taking 10+ coats of watered down acrylics to get the right tones, you're going to be filling in a lot of detail if it's already filled in from gesso. Plus all the gesso I've ever used is sort of 'grainy'. Feels rough to the touch after drying. So it might be good for painting some giant canvas in preparation to slam some paint on it, but to me, for painting highly detailed birds, it really isn't needed. Some people may use it, but myself, I see no need. FWIW

[cedarshavings]

Well you've hit the nail on the head. I've been putting the gesso on the wood and then painting. Apparently I've misunderstood some articles I've been reading. It is just how you've described it, taking away the detail and feeling grainy. So am I understanding you now that it will just be best to put on a couple coats of lacquer and then paint on top of that? What is your opinion on using deft? Is that similar to gesso? Remember I said I was fairly new to this stuff.
This really helps a lot. I appreciate it.

[LCorbett]

I use Curt's Tee-Kay's Rapid-Dri Tupelo Sealer...about 3 coats will seal the bird very well....then I paint right over that...no gesso. I am in the same camp as Marc....gesso is designed to provide a "tooth" for paint to adhere to, so it has a grainy texture. Honestly, I really have never understood the principle of thinning down the gesso and applying multiple coats on a textured carving (thinning so as not to obscure the texture defeats the purpose of gesso, re: tooth). If you want a white background, then use Titanium White (which is what I do when I want a bright background to build my iridescent colors over...a whole 'nuther topic).

The only place I'll use gesso on a textured carving is on the beak/bill (cuz it's sanded super smooth....I need the tooth) and on the feet and legs.
Also, on a smooth bird carving, I will use gesso full strength...after sealing the bird thoroughly.

Also, don't stress too much over losing some texture...it happens if your texture is as fine as it should be...you can fake the look back in with paint.
Welcome to the wonderful word of bird carving!