Pyrography and Eagle Relief

[Paul_Guraedy]

I am now moving on to the next step in my exploration of pyrography. My eventual goal it to use pyrogpraphy and minimal color on some of my in the round birds and animals.

In this piece the numbers give some indication of depth; but, even more, indicate what I think should be in front of the adjacent pieces. I have eliminated the river on the lower right and opted for a lake behind the evergreen trees.

I think I will work around the eagle and carve him last. That way I can get some idea of where I want the prinicpal figure.

Since I know the sky has to be pushed back, that is where I started. Not being too far into it, I am able to change some things. Any suggestions?

[dmatias]

Depending on how thick your board is, if it is about 2" thick, Iwould leave approx. 1/4" thickness of the board for your sky and move the thickness up from there
It will be a beautiful composition once you are finished. Thanks for sharing.

[Ron Davidson]

Sounds like you have it well figured out Paul. Keep us posted on the progress.
Ron

[Irish]

Paul,

The layer depth numbers look right on the mark to me ... Very well planned out.

I do have one suggestion and that is in the pattern work on the foreground pine trees in layer 8. Right now all ofthose trees appear to be about the same height and all seem to be avoiding going into the mountain area behind them.

My impression ... is that they ware planted pines. Since they are all similar heights they all are similar ages ... so the feeling of a planted line of trees.

What would happen if you let just a couple go taller even though they are in a layer behind the layer 9 trees to your right???

You might do a paper sketch of a couple of taller trees, cut them out, tape it on the board and see if they break up the evenness of the tree tops.

Just an idea.


Susan

[tnartist05]

Paul,this is well thought out and will be really neat! Cant wait to see it finished! Nice work Sir, Forrest

[bird carver]

Paul it's looking great, can't wait for the next progress report. bird carver

[Mottles]

Hi Paul, looks like Susan has given you some good observation about varing the tree sizes. It would make that area much more interesting.
How thick is your board? Good progress and keep us posted.
Kathy

[Paul_Guraedy]

Thanks all for your encouragement and input.

I have made some changes to this piece. I did not like the clouds being as large and heavy as I had originally designed them. Also thought I needed to bring some of the sky in under the eagle.

Susan your advice on the trees was perfect. When I realized what I had done, it made me want to slash and burn. I do not like the planted, monoculture that the pulp industry is doing in southern AR and northern LA. I used a piece of tracing paper to see how I might like them and have now “penciled” them in as they might appear. The only one that is really committed, right now, is the tall one on the left side.

The dimensions of this piece are 11”x14” and ¾” thick. I have carved the sky down to half the thickness of the board. As you can see, I do a lot of pencil work on my pieces as I carve. I have occasionally forgotten what I intended to do, or change, and have ended up carving away possibilities.

I am still not happy with the carving on the clouds. Any suggestions? Also, any recommendations on pyrography on clouds? I cannot find anything in any of the books I have on hand.

[Irish]

Good Morning Paul!

The tree line is just beautiful now! You have added interest and attention with the changing tree height. Love the addition of the ridges in the closest mountains.

Clouds are either right over your head ... thunderstorm clouds which cast heavy shadows to the ground ... or they are the most distant element in your scene ... behind the mountain and just barely raised. I think with what you have laid out I would go with the just barely raised clouds.

But for right now I, personally, would wait and go work on the foreground areas before I decided what I want to do with the clouds. For me, what I do in the front of a scene can really change my decisions about the background.

Susan

[Mottles]

Hi Paul, I really like what you have done with the tree height variations. I too think the clouds can stand on their own without doing any more work on them. Consentrate on the eagle, mid and fore ground--they are your real stars.
Kathy