Questions For Lori Corbett

[Paul_Guraedy]

I have a gyrfalcon in the early stages of carving so the thread on the black morph chick caught my attention. During my research on gyrs, I found an article compiling physical information on a large quantity of these birds. Unfortunately, it was written in the 1930’s and the color references are in terminology that does not directly translate to today’s colors. The minute I see anything on gyrs I start thinking…What is immaculate white or buffy white or grayish white or dirty white? This led me to thinking about Lori offering a course on color mixing and I seemed to remember something I had read somewhere.

A search of the WCI Board did not help. Then it was given to me by the “Whispering Eagle.�…….. “It looks like I will be starting another (book) in 2006 on carving Birds of Prey.�

Lori, is the book underway (hopefully!)? Could you share something of the progress, content, format, with us? What is the estimated publication date? “Carving Songbirds� is one of the more valuable in my library, even though I pretty well stay with waterfowl and birds of prey.

I like the way you present information and really enjoy your writing style and comments. But, I would like to make a request. Could you put in a chapter on legs, feet and talons. These areas are usually skimmed over or neglected and, yet, are easy to “fowl� up and a poor “foundation� can really degrade a carving.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Yep Paul, ya gots ta have a good "understanding"! lol

[Hugh]

Paul, this might be the demo your looking for
http://www.whisperingeagle.com/Lights.htm

Don't miss page two, link at the bottom of the first page. Cheers

[LCorbett]

Paul...first...thank you so much for the kind words about the Songbirds book. I'm glad that you are finding it useful.
As to your question about the next book...here's a summary (nothing written in stone yet). It was tentatively discussed that writing woud begin in Spring of this year. I'm not sure about that at this time. I am currently working on some other projects with Fox Chapel (paintings for a new series of reference books on birds of prey by Denny Rogers) and I'm not entirely sure how long I'll be on those. The first phase is complete and will be released I believe in April. Here's a link to the info on that:
The Illustrated Bald Eagle: The Ultimate Reference Guide for Birdlovers, Woodcarvers and Artists
I've just started the paintings for the next book that will contain the Eastern Screech Owl and Snowy Owl.

Back to the birds of prey book...I would like to have it resemble the Songbirds book in content and layout. That would include a chapter on legs and feet. I really can't get more specific with you that that, because as I mentioned earlier, things are still in the "talking" stage. I think it's going to happen...just don't know when.

As to the colors on the gyrfalcon...the white morph is a bright white, but not "pure" white (like straight out of the tube white). The demo that Hugh gave the link to (THANKS, HUGH!) will shed some light on why you don't want to use straight white.

[Paul_Guraedy]

Lori, thanks for the response and I am looking forward to your book I will also be taking a look at Denny Rogers books.

Since I am registered with the Whispering Eagle, I had found your tutorials and refer to them when I start into the painting phase of a carving.

Doing research on the Gyr has been interesting and led me to websites that have been useful for other carvings also. I had never heard of colors such as chaetura, fuscous, avellaneous, and plumbeous. These were referenced in the Wilson Bulletin article (a must for anyone carving a Gyr). I got in touch with several artist friends and one told me about a website called the "Mother of All Color Charts." That helped, but, still am puzzled by tawny, buffy, and a few other terms the authors used.

Painting will always be the most daunting part of carving, for me.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Hey Paul, I thought those were the names of strippers down at the local strip joint.....of course we do not have such things in Arizona!

[LCorbett]

Originally Posted by Hi_Ho_Sliver

Hey Paul, I thought those were the names of strippers down at the local strip joint.....of course we do not have such things in Arizona!

Jeez, Dave...leave it to you...LOLOL...
'Cept "plumbeous" does sort of sound like a stipper's name...hehehehe.

Paul...I'm aware of that site. One caveat when working using your computer to match colors. Monitors can be calibrated differently, so the color you see as "buff" on your screen amy really be "tawny" (sorry...I couldn't resist). But seriously, there is a difference in the way monitors register color. I found this out first-hand when I got my new laptop...the LCD screen colors are different than my desktop monitor.

Best way to learn about colors...mix them yourself, take notes and KEEP EVERY experiment. You never know when it may come in handy.

I am concluding a series of live chats on Bird Carvers Online about color mixing. These run monthly and started last May. There are transcripts posted with all the photos used. If you're interested, I can give you the links to each of the transcripts.

[Paul_Guraedy]

Lori, I had forgotten that I am a member of BCO. I have not visited the site in a long time and it took a while to remember my user name. I have downloaded transcripts of your sessions and am working my way through them (after reviewing your tutorial). I have your next session on my calendar; but, think I will get more from reviewing the text. The people participating with you seem to be much further along in art than I am; but, I am trying to get there. I took a carving/painting course with Keith Mueller several years ago and have his system "Harmony in Color." I don't know if it is your ability to explain, a second explanation of the information, or my finally beginning to understand and integrate the information; but, this color mixing is beginning to make sense!

One question, is there a simple way of saving the information on a particular color mix? Since I stay pretty much with animals and birds of prey, it would be nice not to experiment to get back where I was with the same color on another piece. I am beginning to mix my earth tones (rather than purchase them) and would like some consistency. I have thought of using popsicle sticks, assigning a number and storing the info on my computer. I think I would like to see my mixes on wood. But, is that necessary?