[woodenleg]

I am carving a Mockingbird and was doing a little background research, noticing that the recommended method for carving the fluffy chest feathers is to use a rotating tool (Dremel-like). I do not want to use that method and do have woodburing equipment. Is there an alternative method that anyone can suggest?

[fieldman]

Hi...I hope you get a reply to this problem because I am facing with the same situation...I am making a Loon

[Donna_T]

Hi Woodenleg,
Of course you can do it without power carving tools.

First you pencil in the feather groups to get the flow and spacings laid out. then you use a rather wide veiner and go around the broad/trailing end of the feather--then you soften that edge by blending it back to get a rounded edge on the one feather and it starts the part that tapers to the beginning of another feather. Somehow that doesn't sound too clear with just words. You can use a smaller veiner to put in the flow of feathers(which will give more high-low variations to soften the look) and then use a woodburner to put in each individual feather lines.

You want an irregular layout of feathers and you get this fluffy look by accenting the area around each. Before I had a Dremel power carver, I used the gouge, then sanded lightly, then used the woodburner.

Hope you can figure out what I'm talking about and hope it helps.

Donna
T

[woodenleg]

Actually, when you are looking for answers, that is a pretty good answer. Thanks very much. Seems like I will have to get a block of wood to practice on a time or two before doing the actual feathers. Thanks again, Donna.