WIP Ruby Throated Hummingbird

[Marc Barger]

Hey All!!! Just a quick post of a piece I'm working on now. Male Ruby Throated Hummingbird. Will be 'hovering' in front of a Hosta flower with it's bill stuck in the flower chowin' down. That's the purpose of the pin that's sticking out of it's bill. I put a groove in the bottom of it then buried the T pin in the head as far as I needed then epoxied it in place. This will allow the weight of the Hummingbird to be supported by the strength of the pin and not the thin wood of the bill. Carved from one piece of Tupelo gum wood. All feathers are individually carved in. Wings are cupped to show they're on the upswing. Fun little piece but you can see what my most used tools are!! HA! Not the Super Glue though. That's just to show the size of the carving. Although I do use Super Glue for areas that may be really thin, like edges of feathers (wings, tail) and the bill. This is the 6th bird in a series of 24 that a collector is having me do for her. Fun!!!

[Mark N. Akers]

Marc:
Very nice job on the hummingbird,can't wait to see it finished.

[Joy]

Beautiful....it looks like it could fly off the table.

[jax]

Very realistic, what kind of paint will you use to get that "mettalic" shine on the feathers?

Jax.

[Marc Barger]

Thanks for the kind words!

Metallic look is achieved with some of the iridescent acryilics you can buy. Hopefully they have Ruby Throated Green! ha ha

[squbrigg]

Such a tiny little thing Marc. You have captured it so well too. Looking forward to seeing the final carving. Well done.

Bob

[Coffeeman]

Mark, Looking fantastic, the super glue really puts its small size into perspective. Very realistic piece, can't wait to see it painted and mounted to the flower. Bill

[santagibbs]

Very nice hummingbird Marc..Can't wait to see him on the flower . I bet the flower will be super also... Charlotte

[cedarshavings]

It's looking good. when you say you use the super glue on the thing areas like the tips of feathers or bill, how do you apply it? Do you just put a light coat on for extra strength or what?

[Marc Barger]

Thanks for all the kind comments!

cedarshavings, Yep just squeeze it out along the edges. Thin enough that it really soaks in.

Here's a few more pics. All burnt. And then the Hosta flower/buds that I carved. In a varying degree of opening.