eyes

[Squint]

Is there anything wrong with using clear birds eyes for human figures?

[AlArchie]

I don't see why not if you can find a suitable eye. Also you might check a fabric or hobby shop for doll eyes....they are not very expensive, come in several sizes and most all colors.

Al

[hwallen48]

Sounds good to me!!

[jimmy joe]

That's a great idea Al .

[Lynn O. Doughty]

I guess you could do it but the real question is why you would want to? I carved songbirds for years and used glass eyes until I found that a nailset and a small drop of epoxy worked just as well and was a whole lot easier. I gave up the songbirds and the nailset but still use the drop of epoxy to bring my characters eyes to life.

[Tom Ellis]

Squint, I think it is worth the time to learn how to carve eyes, to get a more natural looking eye. The round bird eyes might have the glint that you are after, but eyelids would be a problem. The drop of epoxy gives you that little bit of a shine that makes them look wet.

Good luck, Tom

[Squint]

Thank you guys
All great suggestions. This nail set method. Do you just use that to set in the pupel
or iris and all? I have tried carving eyes but these old hands aren't as steady as they once were. I probably spelled pupel wrong but we are all friends Right?
Squint

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Check out the videos on my blog. I show you how I carve my eyes along with the rest of the figure.

[AlArchie]

Squint, I think all the above suggestions are good. Carving the eye eliminates a problem that you encounter with the glass eyes; that of proper insertion. All carvers of birds, mammals, or fish have this to deal with and it is easily handles with the use of plastic wood of some sort. I use the simple wood putty from Elmers, Ace or other brands. Ssimply form the lid portion around the inserion circumference in this material with a toothpick or bamboo skewer. The material wil ooze over the glass however, but can be removed by careful wiping or like I do....wait till it's dry, then scrape off the excess with a sharpened copper blade. I made one of these shaped like a #11 XActo blade from copper sheet and sharpened just like a knife blade. The copper is sharp enough to remove the dry material, paint etc, but soft enough not to screatch thye glass eyes. Even after the wood puty has drid, it can be smoothed and further formed with a damp cloth, Q-tip or even your finger. I'm not saying that is the way to go, but if you want to use the glass eyes, don't be deterred by the insertion problem

Another method that may be of use to you is the "eye punch" system. http://www.thewoodcraftshop.com/stor...e-Punches.html Very similar to Lynn's nail set use, but with punches specially developed for doing eyes. You can get them in round (which is very similar to the nail set) and oval shaped for a more natural human eye look. I've carved, punched, nail-set, and inserted eyes with good sucess in each method, and don't prefer one over another. Each works well in specific pieces. Follow Lynn's video for a great finish with the epoxy.

Al

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Originally Posted by Tom Ellis

Squint, I think it is worth the time to learn how to carve eyes, to get a more natural looking eye. The round bird eyes might have the glint that you are after, but eyelids would be a problem. The drop of epoxy gives you that little bit of a shine that makes them look wet.

Good luck, Tom

I totally agree with Tom ! In the beginning I used to paint in an eye, then a friend showed me how to carve an eye, what a difference. I am not going to lie, it takes alot of practice but in the end you will be much happier with the results.

Dave