Wigeon Smoothies

[Orygoner]

Awhile back I got some good advice and decided it would be good follow it. A couple people told me to try some "smoothie" decoys and work on my painting. Painting is not something in which I have much experience OR confidence.

But... just gotta work at it. I've been researching, buying books, reading my Wildfowl Carving Magazines, checking the internet, etc, etc. I've also been practicing blending and mixing just using some paper. Before I start painting these ducks, I'm going to smooth off some wood and do a little practice on it too.

Anyhow, these Wigeon are ready to paint unless something pops out at me that needs fixing. They are intended to be able to compete in the IWCA "Style Decoy" category...if I think there's one or more that might be competitive. I'm also doing a Drake and Hen Canvasback (hen about finished as to carving and ready to start on the drake).

The birds have been hollowed out - you can see the seam at the waterline where I epoxied the two pieces back together. I have ash keels all made up and weighted so that the decoys will float evenly and self right when tossed into the water. After I get the paint on them I will attached the keels and make some nice little stands for them to sit in.

Anyhow...the birds. The two on the left are from Sugar Pine (tupelo heads) and the one on right is basswood (also tupelo head).

[Blackjaxe]

Jeeeeeeeeeeeez....I mean WOW, nice smoothies Randy, I can hardly wait to see what they look like with paint. All Drakes, or a hen or two, that would be perfect. Have you sealed them yet, it appears like they are. I can also see that you have hollowed them out.

By the way Randy, thank you very kindly for your complements on my work.

Ken

[Joy]

Randy, those are beautiful. Good luck with your painting. Will you use an airbrush?

[windsong]

Randy
I've got a question how will you get the paint to stick on the glue line when i get glue on the wood the paint will not stick?.I would make one out of the sugar pine and not paint it love the grain in the pine.Your doing a great job.
Vic.

[Steve Harrison]

They are beauties. I can't wait to see them painted!

Steve

[Merle Rice]

Hi Randy, Very good work on your carvings. Good luck on painting them. looking forward in seeing them finished. Merle

[Orygoner]

Originally Posted by Joy

Randy, those are beautiful. Good luck with your painting. Will you use an airbrush?

I don't have an airbrush...maybe someday. I'll use acrylics and brush paint them.

[Orygoner]

Originally Posted by windsong

Randy
I've got a question how will you get the paint to stick on the glue line when i get glue on the wood the paint will not stick?.I would make one out of the sugar pine and not paint it love the grain in the pine.Your doing a great job.
Vic.

I routed out the glue line with a rotary carver...made a groove. Then I filled that in with wood filler and sanded it smooth. I'll put a couple of coats of Deft lacquer on the birds before painting. May put an underlayer of gesso on too.

[torpidhummer]

Absolutely great work Randy,can't wait to see the finished product,I to hesitate on the painting,I bought a compressor and airbrush video on how to use the airbrush on ebay and I'm still procasting to try it.

Oscar

[kenweybright]

Randy,

Sweet looking birds. Painting can be intimidating, and I can read all the books I want on color theory; however, it comes together for me when I start throwing paint on the bird. They look real good.