Golden Eagle in relief

[squbrigg]

As mentioned in "What are you carving" thread, this is the Golden Eagle that I'm attempting. It started out as a profile of a generic eagle, with the new carvers in the club,to demonstrate relief carving principals, but on further reflection, I admired this photo of the eagle so deceided to make a few changes and demonstrate what their rough out ended up as.

Hope I don't blow it!

Bob

[Mottles]

Hi Bob, I don't think you have blown it at all. What strikes me at this point is the beak where it bends down appears to long. If you put your finger over the tip I think you'll see what I mean. I like the forward position of the wing and the feathers are coming along nicely. Looking forward to seeing your progress.
Kathy

[Micky]

Looks great Bob. It appears you have caught the relief carving bug. Looking forward to watching the progress on this one as I really enjoyed your dragon and viking relief.

[MelNM]

Bob looks nice, are you going to carve an eye or put a glass eye on it either one would look good.
Mel

[squbrigg]

Good question Mel...... I have been debating that myself. Carved or glass or create one from other woods, IE: Ebony and Mahogany and carve and insert. I'm not sure yet myself, but have ordered a glass eye just to have the option. Glass does make the carving dramatic looking, but I like the idea of a carved one. Each method has it's own challenges and resulting effects.

Opinions anyone?

Bob

[Paul_Guraedy]

Bob, I am, at heart, a bird carver. I usually carve in the round; but, have done some eagles in relief. In the round I use glass eyes, as you say, "for the drama". I tried glass in relief; but, in my opinion, it took away rather than added to. The glass eyes were just too much. Maybe it is because I have not carved a full figure in relief, just the bust. But, the painting of the eyes looked much better. I really like your idea of a different wood. I have not tried that. Maybe some yellow wood for the iris and black walnut for the pupil. This should add the WOW without making the eye "pop out" too much.

It would be nice, however, if you could fit the glass eye in there so that it becomes a part of the bird. That would make my future relief carvings a lot simpler.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing the finale....which with your carving ability will probably come pretty soon.

[squbrigg]

Working on feathers, and making progress. Looking good I think.

Pointers, opinions, recommendations, all greatfully recieved? This will be a painted carving, so I will be seeking help on colours of the Golden Eagle feathers and beak?

I remind you, I'm not a bird carver! I'm a ship carver who's branched out!

Bob

[Paul_Guraedy]

I have not carved a golden eagle; but, have studied them a lot to make sure that my baldies do not become too golden. It is easy to make mistakes among birds of prey by getting too interested in one aspect and ignoring others. I just re-read my post on this thread and could not believe the mistake I made. "Yellowood" for the iris of a golden? Wow! My only excuse is that I got wrapped up in the idea of using different wood for the eye.

I find that there are five general differences between the golden and bald eagles. 1. Head color. 2. Eye color. 3. Beak color. 4. Goldens have an area of lighter color in the wing area. 5. The body color of the golden is more brown than that of the bald eagle.

[squbrigg]

Paul.....from what I can see of photographs, it looks like the Golden Eagle has a different shaped head and beak than the Bald Eagle. Their head seems to be flatter and longer, as is the beak. Of course the eye colour is totally different, yellow in the Baldie and brown in the Golden, so maybe Mahogany and Ebony instead of Yellowheart or Lemonwood and Ebony? Smile I read somewhere that the two are so similar that you could use the same drawing or pattern for either, but from studying photos of them, I believe this to be incorrect.

I'm having fun with this, and learning as I go, so please feel free to point out errors or alternatives.

Bob

[Ron Davidson]

If memory serves me right it should be a golden brown. But you are doing a great job on it Bob. Boy it is great to be able to see some of this again.
Ron