[carvnman40]

I'm interested in doing an eagle's head in an open mouth pose. I would like to finish the inside of the mouth realistically, which means I'll have to cut off the lower mandible,detail and reattach. My problem is that I've not been able to find any detailed reference material for the inside of the mouth, with the exception of perhaps the tongue. Nothing on the upper roof of the mouth and I know it is detailed.
I have searched for threads in this forum and also the internet in general but have not found anything. I was hoping someone from his forum could help.
Any suggestions ??
Thank, Mike.

[xsailer]

Very timely question Mike.
I just bought a book called "Birds of Prey" for $7.88 at Barnes and Noble that has the top of an Eagel mouth in very good detail. Page 19.
If you can't get it let me know and I'll try to get you a copy.

After looking at the picture again I thinking it is just about the best one I've seen that encompasses the whole head.

[falconer]

Just thought you might want to check out Floyd Schultz's new book it shows exactly what you want to do.




www.sierracreekstudios.com

[squbrigg]

Floyd Schultz has two great books out that you could use, "Birds of Prey" and "Golden Eagle". "Birds of Prey" is a big reference book of photos of all of the North American raptors, hawks, buntoes, eagles. It includes colour photos and drawings, from every angle you could desire. The Golden Eagle book is a complete walk through of his carving a full size Golden Eagle, with an open mouth. It is a work of art ..... both the book and the carving.

Bob

[Paul_Guraedy]

The mouth with the lower mandible carved separately……sounds like you are planning some serious carving! I hope you will post pics as you go along and certainly of the finished piece.

I love to carve eagles and have built up a fairly good reference collection on them. The books that have been listed will help; but, I think the one that you really need is:

The American Eagle, A Photographic Portrait, by John Pezzenti, Jr.
Published by the Penguin Group, 1999
ISBN number 0-670-88448-0

There are a number of open moth photos but three photos really fit your need. This is an oversize book so the photos are large and detail is quite clear. There are two photos of an open mouth (baldy) taken from just below the bill. One is “head on” and the other is from the side. Another photo is of an open mouth juvenile from “head on”. All of these show the upper mouth structure in great detail. One also shows the “groove” shape of the lower mandible.


I purchased my copy several years ago at $35. If you plan to continue doing eagle carvings, I would recommend that you try your local library. It’s doubtful that they have a copy in their collection; but, should be able to get one through the interlibrary loan system. I was about to offer to allow you to borrow my copy then I checked a number of used book dealers and they do not show any copies (new or used) available. This is so valuable a reference that I would not trust it to the mail.

You may have to resort to purchase through the publisher
Penguin Group
Penguin Putnam Company
375 Hudson Street
NY, NY 10014

[carvnman40]

I've not been able to access this site for the past four days until now, but I want to thank all who responded to my inquiry. I knew I could count on you forum members to come up with something. All your suggestions sound promising, and I will check them out. Thank you for sharing !!
Mike