Bird Patterns

I recently received an E-mail from a beginning carver who wanted to know where he can find bird patterns so he can place them on a piece of wood. Also so he can get the size right for the bird.

This was a great question that isn't an easy one to answer. It may require a number of posts over time to cover the vastness of this question.

The first question I needed answered was, "What type of birds do you want to carve?".

Depending on what type of bird, there could be a lot of patterns available or none at all. Waterfowl for example, there are a wide range of locations to find good patterns: Pat Godin series of patterns, Keith Mueller (if you can find his book anymore), and so on. But, if you want to carve a rare songbird, then good luck, there may not be one around.

He did indicate that he recently subscribed to Wildfowl Carving Magazine. This magazine will have at least one pattern in each issue. Over time, you might see the pattern you want. Or, you could back-order an issue with the bird you are looking for. Speaking of Wildfowl Carving Magazine, some years ago I remember picking up a set of there Reference Guide books. Each book contain information on at least 5-7 birds along with a pattern to go with it. These books were grouped based on bird type (waterfowl, songbird, raptor, etc.).

My second question to him was "Where do you live?". If a person happens to live near a carving supply shop, then you simply go in and thumb through reference material until you find what you need. However, most people live some distance from a supplier so all we can do is look on-line and hope that the content is worth the money we will spend on a given book or pattern. Or, we attend a carving show that has a supplier or two on hand. This is most likely what most of us do.

In future postings on this topic I will discuss the pros & con's of using other peoples pattern, plus making your own pattern. I just finished making a pattern for a Western Screech Owl this week. Aside from taking a few days to make, you might be interested to know what I found when comparing other carvers patterns to each other.

If you have any additional side points on the topic of patterns feel free to let me know so I can include it with future postings.

Current Work in Progress - Kestrel - 5th Posting

In this weeks progress posting I am showing how I handle the soft feather groups. Soft feathers don't require individual feathers to be cut in place as was the case with the wing and tail feathers, rather I cut in groups of soft feathers.

The steps in creating soft feathers:

1. Draw in the feather groups. Use an S shape when creating these groups. Going from small groups around the head, to larger as you reach the flanks. Each group represents a group of soft feathers. I try to follow the natural feather flow in all areas when creating these groups.

2. Cut the feather groups. I use a diamond flame to cut these in (football shape). I try to vary the depth of these cuts to create variation of depth across the soft feather area. Deeper down the center and back portion of the birds body.

3. Round over the edges. Using the carbide flame cutter, I roll the edges so there are not sharp or steep drop offs from one group to the next.

4. Refine groups. At this point I will go in and make some valleys deeper or shallower to create a nice flow and variation from group to group over a given area.

On the breast, belly, flanks and under tail coverts I will cover the entire area with these soft feather groups. On the scapulars, forward wing coverts, cape, and nape I will only do partial groups to give an impression of feather groupings. Basically I don't want to have these areas too lumpy - bumpy.

Current Work in Progress - Kestrel - 4th Posting

In this weeks progress posting I will review the feather layout for the wings and tail. In this first image you see I have drawn in place the feathers that make up the wings and tail.

Also you will notice that I have drawn in feather groupings for the Scapulars, Cape, and forward wing coverts. These feather groups are considered soft feathers and the individual feathers won't be separated out as in the other wing and tail feathers.



This next photo shows all the main wing feathers cut into place. At present they look stacked in place due to the abrupt edge. At this time too, I went ahead and did some undercutting of the primaries. Still leaving them plenty thick for strength as I continue to work the bird.

Also take note of the soft feather groups. they were cut in and given a soft rolling in and out of each valley. The next posting will review how this is accomplished.

In this photo notice how I softened the edges of the individual feathers. This makes it more realistic and gradual step down from one feather to the next. The only feathers with a much more abrupt edge are the primaries, tail feathers, and any area I want to show lift and separation.

You might notice I went ahead and created the major feather splits or separation around the head and cheek patch. Later postings you will get to see a closer view of this work.