Ever carved an eagle?

[Paul_Guraedy]

Although I am venturing out into other animals and architectural relief carvings, I am a bird carver at heart. Over the years I have collected a fairly large library of reference books with a majority having birds as the subject and quite a few being works involving eagles. Our national symbol seems to be a "must carve" for a lot of otherwise "carve anything but birds" carvers.

I read the reviews on the new (WCI published) "The Illustrated Bald Eagle". I told myself, "You do not need every reference you find on every different bird".

A couple of weeks ago I attended the woodcarving show at Mountain Home, AR. On the way out I made the necessary stop to look over the offerings of Larry "Big Dog" Yudis in his mobile woodcarving store. He had a copy of "The Illustrated Bald Eagle." I did not buy it because I already had a fair amount ($ wise) of items and my wife was in the "Are you sure you don't have enough of......?" mode. But, I did look it over and reluctantly decided to wait for a more propitious moment to suggest the acquisition of another book on eagles.

This is a reference book for anyone interested in eagles and birds of prey. Everything needed to paint, carve, sculpt or just watch an eagle is in there. Many of us are familiar with the painting of woodcarvings by Lori Corbett; well, this book shows her ability with flat art as well.

Ever carved an eagle? Ever want to? Take a look at this book and you won't go there without it!

[Kenny_S]

Thank you Paul.
In my being a carver who does not use reference material, I find that my Eagles are sometimes lacking in being totally correct in their completion stage. I am one who uses memory references instead of printed material.Sometimes I find the Eagle's mouth onhis beak not going back far enough on his head or the eye is posistioned a little to far forward or back than what they show. Still no a bad carving but sometimes the old memory or what I think of what the subject looks like just isn't good enough.
Maybe I need to reference more and study pictures of what I carve.
I have thought about getting that publication but Have not done so.

Which, poses a question to every one.

'Do you use reference material when you carve a subject'?

Thanks again Paul for reviewing the book.
'Man can't have enough carving books'!

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

The only way to paint, carve , sculpt or whatever is to use reference pictures...you can't remember all the details, and you don't see most details to start with.....don't believe me? how long did it take you to find the fox ?SarcasticCowboy

[Kenny_S]

Actually Dave, I don't waste the time looking for the fox.

Now I wonder how in earlier years carvers accomplished any carvings. Did they have all the reference books back then also? NO !. They relied on memoery of what they saw. Not to offend anyone but each carver has their own way of carving and yes Dave, I don't remember all details but then, I doubt all carvers put in all the details either.
I normally don't use reference material on every carving. Are You just copying what the picture has in it/ Not having a original painting or carving.
Now, I don't disagree with what you said but find it hard to understand that all of your paintings you use reference material.
Again, My apolgies to anyone that this may have offended as it is not my intent.
was origianlly posted as an observation of my carving techniques and no one elses.

[Paul_Guraedy]

I agree with you Hi Ho. I do as much research and have as many reference photos as possible when I start to carve. I have done only one carving that I did not use references. This was a stylized owl in which the only real detail were the "horns". Kenny, I also agree with some of your statement. I do not carve from a single photo as birds are as different as people.

But, I do want to see as many photos as possible to show me the parameters of how the facial disk on a barn owl exists, how the toes of an eagle differ in size to one another or exactly where is the hip joint on a horse.

Once I have the part I am carving firmly in mind, I only refer back to the photos to refresh my memory and confirm the direction I want the carving to take. But, I really don't want to end up as one person wrote about his early days in carving.......the instructor picked up my carving, started laughing and said, "Where did you get the idea that a bird has five toes?"

I firmly believe in the old adage, "A picture is worth a thousand words." and what one of my law enforcement instructors told us, "You need the description given by several eyewitnesses to have something on which you can rely."

[Bill]

I feel that you must know you subject, and do as much research as possible.
I check out every option, and use as many reference photos possible as I don't do the same animal or bird twice, it would be impossible for me to remember the details on each subject.
Bill

[squbrigg]

Am looking forward to carving one at some time in the future, but right now, I'll settle for carving just busts of them for canes. Have another request for one right now, so I'd better get busy.

Like Paul says, Eagles are like people, no two are exactly alike. I enjoy the Birds of Prey book by Scholtz.....and I have a copy of the new Bald Eagles Book on order, (in fact I have a notice from the post office that there is a parcel there, that may be it) and I am looking forward to seeing it. Just in time for the next cane.

That article on Bald Eagles cane tops in Issue 34 was really well done, I hopefully, can apply some of what I learned to my next cane and improve.

For a full Eagle, I want to do one based on a photo that I took of an Eagle landing. Was lucky enough to get a couple of great series of shots a few years ago and plan to carve one....when I feel my skill is up to it.

Bob

[J Wardwell]

Hey guys!! There's really nothing to carving a bald eagle. There are some basic principles but once you cover those, it's no different than carving a duck decoy. Being a bird of prey carver I may be able to help if you would like.

Jeff

[whitecree]

I've carved an eagle or two, but nowhere near lifelike. Rather, a heavily stylized version that comes from west coast 1st nations.

When I do carve a totemic figure of an eagle, I do tryo to inject some note of realism into it. For the most part, this has to do with proportions, physical posturing, and the critter's own attitude.

Reference photos are priceless if you are trying to carve an anatomically correct bird, but if you are looking for the idea or artistic interpretation of the bird, you don't really need too many.

Just my $00.02 worth.

[Paul_Guraedy]

Squbrigg, having seen photos of your eagle busts I must say that your modesty needs to catch up with your carving ability.

The thing to remember about carving an eagle (as put to me by a carving friend), "carve the head first that's the hardest part, then the feet.....everything in between is just feathers!".