[Pyrographer]

Well, I have finally found some time to burn . I guess watching Linda do all those burnings made me feel very guilty that I had not done anything in quite some time.

I got an order of burls last week and finally decided it was time to pull one out and do a burning on one of them. The piece I pulled out was actually a reject that he sent me for free. It was small, not too much natural edging and flat on one end. I decided to take the golden eagle I had done before and make some changes to it and do just a face shot.

This piece of wood is amazing. It took some sanding but it is smooth as glass except for the figuring but that's another story. It is different than burning on anything I've ever used before but it has got a lot of personality that you don't get with plain wood. It's also giving the eagle a lot more character than the one I did on basswood.

Anyway, I'm posting the first two photos of the burning. The first photo was scanned and it did not pick up the natural edge very well. The second photo I took with the digital camera and it not only picked up the natural edge better but the figuring in the burl is coming through more.

I have a long way to go and I have some research to do online so I can get a more accurate photo of an eye than the photo I am working with which doesn't have great contrast.

Hope you enjoy!

I have added a WIP tutorial to my website because so many people from other groups have asked to see the work in progress. Call it lazy but it's easier to post it once. So, I'm posting today's work and also a link to my tutorial. It will also tell you more about what I am doing and why.....
http://www.nedraspyrography.com/Pyro...enEagleWIP.htm

Nedra

[Eddy Smiles]

That's going to be pretty! Very nice work.

[Joy]

Wow! That is going to be incredible. What size is it?

[Pyrographer]

It's only 5 x 7. I will try to get better shots next go around. Even the last one lost some of the intensity of the burning. I'll work on that but I'm rather limited as to where I can take photos since we are still living in our motorhome.

Nedra

[Pyrographer]

I edited my first post with the latest update and a link to the tutorial I put on my site. It will be a bit more descriptive of what I am doing and since I've had other groups ask for it this will save time only posting once.

I will post the finished piece here but if you want to check out the progress, please go to the tutorial
http://www.nedraspyrography.com/Pyro...enEagleWIP.htm

Nedra

[jax]

Terrific start, that beak is great, I would considered it finished. Looking forward to see the completed head.

Jax

[Lindy]

Hi Nedra,

That is going to absolutely gorgeous! I love the idea of working with burlwood!

Thank you for posting this as well as the link to the tutorial, as always your work is an inspiration to the rest of us.

Linda

[Pyrographer]

Well I finally had a chance to do more work on the eagle. I had done some research and found some better photos so I was able to improve some things. I made some subtle changes to the eye and surrounding area and have added more detailing with undercutting to the feathers to "life and separate".... Basically this is creating more depth to the feathers.
I'll try to do some more tomorrow and then we'll be off to Phoenix for a few days to pick up our new sheltie....

I lied before...said I wasn't going to keep you updated here but just like a woman, I changed my mind!

It is also on the website in the tutorial if you want to see the progression side by side.

Hope you enjoy.

Nedra

[Pyrographer]

After far too many days of not burning I finally got some time to do more work on the golden eagle.

Nedra

[Pyrographer]

I am almost done with my eagle. I have a few more details and some shading to add to the back of it's head and then apply the finish and I will call it done. I will post a photo of the final version with the finish soon. If I have time tomorrow I will do it otherwise it might not be for a few weeks since we are closing on our house and have a lot to do .

Will try to get it done tomorrow!!!!

Nedra