[twoclones]

I've been working on this dragon for way too long but thought someone would be interested in the type of finish I've planned for it.

I started this before I was really ready so part way into the project I stopped and let it sit for 2 months. The way it cracked while waiting, I decided to patch and paint the final product. At this stage, it has been patched with Bondo and as soon as I'm finished carving the scales, it will be primed. After that, I plan to spray it with Stone finish spray paint to give it a granite look.

Butch

[Thor]

The design and details look really interesting. I am sorry you're going to paint it in an opaque finish so that you can't see the wood grain. I can't see the crack in the photos, but I trust your skills enough to believe you know what you're doing.
You'll have to show us the piece when you're finished.
Thor

[Joy]

I sure would like to see a better picture of the dragon. What does his/her face look like? I think the granite look is a great idea. In my experience that stone paint leaves a very pebbled surface. Will that fill your carving lines? Or do you know some kind of stone paint that I don't know about?

[twoclones]

Here's a photo of the head. What you can't see is that the mouth / nose are is a beak. Today I finished carving scales on the body and tail then carved under the claws and edges of the feet. Finally I primered the piece and will spray it tomorrow.

Butch

[twoclones]

Originally Posted by Thor

I can't see the crack in the photos

The grey lines are all cracks. Plus there were two rather large places where the crotch of a limb left a pocket of bark inside the log. Both of those were filled.

Generally, I much prefer natural wood to paint but I think I did the right thing patching this piece.

Butch

[Joy]

Good lucking head! Thanks for taking the time to share.

[S.T.]

twoclones ..
What an interesting piece....looks great.....I was trying to refernce an object in the background to get an idea of the size....what is the height ....S.T.

[twoclones]

Thanks. It's a bit over 5 feet tall and carved from Sycamore.

[twoclones]

I have FINALLY finished my dragon.
Three photos are at http://woodhacker.com/dragon_granite.html None show him straight on from the front yet.

Details:
Five feet plus tall, sycamore, cracks patched with Bondo. I brushed on an oil base primer [white] then sprayed all shadow areas with flat black before covering the entire piece with Rustoleum stone texture paint and eventually a satin finish clear coat to protect the stone texture coat. Paint alone cost $55. Approximately 30 hours carving time.

Girlfriend says I can't sell this one I say I'm going to carve something small next...

Butch

[S.T.]

Butch

thats awsome .......he (or she) looks like it belongs in one of those really old stone buildings in Europe.....way up in the parapet......cool