Habitat?

[Steve Sargent]

What books are available for creating different types of habitat for wildlife carvings?Any recommendations? Thanks

[Paul_Guraedy]

Steve there is not a lot of material available on creating habitat. It seems to be hidden in material that is primarily about some other aspect of carving. Someone carves a blackbird and gives the detail of how the cattails and water were created.

If you are interested in a specific type of habitat, give some details and I am sure that assistance, or at least possibilities, will be forthcoming. I know I will be interested in responses to this thread. Creating habitat is about my major interest right now.

[markken5889]

Hi Steve,

Like Paul, that's an area I'm trying to get up to speed on as well. There are several good articles in recent issues of Wild Fowl Carving magazine. It'd be well worth your while to check 'em out.

Mark

[kenweybright]

You might want to take a look at the Breakthrough Manuals, at Wasco, WASCO -- Wildlife Artist Supply Company, they seem to have a good series of books dealing with habitat and how to create it.

[Steve Sargent]

Thanks guys.

[dnstehly]

Originally Posted by kenweybright

You might want to take a look at the Breakthrough Manuals, at Wasco, WASCO -- Wildlife Artist Supply Company, they seem to have a good series of books dealing with habitat and how to create it.

I am also interested in improving my skills at building habitats and I looked with interest at the things Wasco had to offer. The information seemed to indicate that they were using a variety of materials in their habitats for taxidermy. That raised an interesting question for me. I have never seen it mentioned in show rules, but I always believed that in the area of woodcarving competition the objects in the habitat had to be carved from wood. The exception, of course, being the various materials allowed to simulate water. Is this true? At the Iowa Congress show this past June I was surprised to hear the judges comment, while critiquing one of the entries in the aquatic class, that they were not sure how much of the habitat was wood. I would be very interested in hearing what others know about this question.

[Orygoner]

From my reading and observation, habitiat (even in competitive pieces) is made from just about anything. Lots of brass rods, epoxy, brass sheeting, brown paper bags (cut up), PVC pipe, copper wire and so on.

[DiamondWillow]

I have taken the liberty to copy and paste a little information from the International Wildfowl/Fish Carving Assn. This is info is for a Decorative lifesize fish carving. Sorry if this is too long, but at least will give you an idea what rules some area have. Gene

Section 15.DECORATIVE LIFE-SIZE FISH DIVISION (DLFish)
15.1.All entrants must be current members of IWCA.
15.2.The entry will be judged using the live fish as a model.
15.3.Any fish that may be too large to carve may be carved at a reduced scale. For example, a 12-foot, 600-pound marlin or a 6-foot, 80-pound Chinook salmon would be carved at an appropriate reduced scale so that the minimum size is 18 inches with no maximum size. The reduced scale carvings compete as life-size and reflect the mature anatomy of the life-sized fish.
15.4.All carvings must support the total wood carving concept. Those entries composed solely of wood, or those that contain as little non-wood materials as possible, will have an advantage over those entries that contain authorized substitute materials listed below.
15.5.No resin or plastic water is acceptable because of the toxic nature of the materials involved.
15.6.The use of resins, silicones, or plastics in any form is limited to the construction of artificial teeth, eye sculpturing, joint construction, and inserting fins and tail only.
15.7.Allowable items include: artificial eyes, fishing line, fish hooks, and metal for strength and support.
15.8.Items not allowed include: plastic, silk, or manufactured plants; cast objects such as rocks, wood, bugs, plants, fins, and gills; real rocks, sand, or manufactured lures. Gravel made with wood/plumber's putty is allowed up through the intermediate level.
15.9.Commercial blanks and rough-outs are allowed in the novice and junior levels only.
15.10.Judges will place strong emphasis in their evaluations when all elements are carved of wood, however, the following is allowed: (a) In the novice level, found, real driftwood may be used. (b) In the intermediate level, re-worked found, real driftwood may be used. (c) In the open level, all facsimile of driftwood must be carved.
15.11.All components used to create the environment for decorative entries must be made by the carver from wood (or metal where allowed when required for strength and support.)
15.12.Carved habitat may be coated with paint or paint additives for texturing.
15.13.Any carving found to contain non-approved materials will not be eligible for ribbons or awards.
15.14.Any method used to emboss, burn, engrave, or carve scales in wood is permitted.
15.15.Glass cases or domes must be removed for judging.
15.16.The carving must contain the carver’s name and date marked on the carving. (The name will be covered with tape at registration.)

[dnstehly]

Thanks Gene. I found that very interesting and supportive of what I had thought to be the case. I am, however, very surprised at the prohibition of resin materials for water as that is commonly used in the shows that I participate in.

[DiamondWillow]

David

Generally speaking, they say all wood, except you can use metal for support. I do not know the reason for the prohibit on resins either, it would be nice to make some nice splash scenes I think. Of course remember this is only for the competition and you can and should do anything you wish when doing things for yourself and for selling. I do know these are the rules for the World Fishcarving Championships and several others that follow IWCA rules.

Unless you want to compete, I say go for it and enjoy your carving.

Gene