Minni Decoy

I finally got around to painting these small decoys. The first one I painted the head with acrylics and the body with linseed oil and burnt umber oil paint. I saw a decoy done this way and I liked the way it looked, I didn't go into a lot of detail on the second decoy. It represents a hunting decoy rather than a decorative decoy. I had a decoy maker and hunter tell me that what matters is if the ducks are attracted to the decoy. I used an extender to the paint to give me more time to blend the paint on the head. To give a little gloss to the eyes I used my wife's top coat for nails.   

Borromean Rings

Borromean  rings consists of three rings, linked so they can't be pulled apart. But no individual ring links with any other ring. Removing any one ring results in unlinked rings. Starting out you saw out the shape. I used a 1 3/4 inch square block. the ring shapes are 1/4 inch. The next step is to carve out the little squares. Then use a small drill and drill the inside corners in all directions. Start rounding the outside rings. Then use a small knife, gouge to separate the rings and finish rounding.  

 

Tex

I hadn't carved a bottle stopper in a couple years. I have a little attitude in this guy. I'm going to chip carve a design on the base and leave it a natural color with just a sealer. Some things you see after a paint job that you might not like. It's a learning process and can be changed on the next carving.

Mini Decoy Carved

I added an 1/8th inch to the bottom of the mallard decoy so it would look a little more rounded at the bottom. I was able to improve the curl at the tail. For the eyes I drilled an 1/8 inch hole while the bird was in the squared form. After carving the head I used a dowel for the eyes. I rounded the end of the dowel on a drill motor with sand paper and made sure it fit the hole. I burned in the nostril, every thing else is carved. I kept it simple and any detail wanted can be painted on. It is now ready to paint.

Mini Duck Decoy

This is my first carving of a mini duck decoy. It is a male Mallard and is about 5 inches long. From this I will be able to see what changes I will need to do in the design, carving and in painting. In a future blog I will tell what I changed. This time of the season the ducks, geese and swans migrate north. They stop at the shallow ends of the lake to feed. It is an enjoyable time to bird watch as there are so many birds.

Chickadee

I carved two Chickadee's, one in basswood and one in white pine. The one in pine I used the stone on the upper back and head. I was also a little more aggressive with my stoning. I like the softer look a little better on the Basswood. I use a knife and gouges to cave birds,  and power for stoning. These birds are intended to be hung as a Christmas ornament or I hang mine in the motor home from one of the ceiling vents.

Elektra

This is the 5th Hitty doll I have carved. I created a list of names and number five was to be named Elektra. My daughter liked the name so she claims this doll. I am carving the faces the same but they all look a little different. She is a little over 6 inches tall. The arms and legs are pegged with a dowel.