holloway Posted March 21, 2019 Report Share Posted March 21, 2019 Our clubs yearly quiz and raffle is coming up soon and i try to donate a decoy or carved stick for the auction .This year i thought i would try a Tufty.The first picture is the starting point an Opinel and a piece of Cedar picked up from the banks of the river Dart whilst Seatrout fishing several years ago.I decided to try mdf for the body but after an hour of carving i began to feel fairly unwell so instead dug out some ancient Cedar that i reclaimed from a clients ancient greenhouse that he was scrapping ,i had to use 3 pieces stuck together not ideal but i didnt want it to cost anything so had to make do. Now onto some rough carving just to see if the woods going to do the job ,not convinced of the shape yet but have left loads of material so that we can change it later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted March 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2019 Starting to take shape and have added the eyes,to be honest the eyes dont look right not lairy enough for a Tufty but hey ho they are all i had in the stores also head is wrong shape but we can work on that later. Nearly happy with the head (except the eyes) so have wacked on some paint just to see if its worth going on with there is still material left for a few changes also time to try the body material for size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted March 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2019 Having laminated the body material together time to start getting a rough body shape ,i wanted it dumpy and to sit low in the water,once again leaving tons of wood to work with in case it goes pear shape which it usually does .The head isnt fixed on yet as i havent worked out what attitude i want it in ie alert at rest etc.I still am struggling with the eyes as well wrong shade of yellow and the pupil too big not sure what to do about that though ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted March 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2019 Although this will probably never be used i like to test it in water to make sure it floats as a decoy should ,the other criteria that is important to me is that it should be tactile and try if possible to show the particular breeds own individual style and posture.Still not fixed the head on yet but thinking maybe turned to one side and a resting posture.A diving duck so tail down on the water ,starting to carve wing position and get a little definition going but i am going to have to come up with an idea for the eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted March 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2019 (edited) A little happier now we have got the head finished and fixed on ,i use a brass screw with the head chopped of and some epoxy resin with sawdust mixed in to fill any gaps .Happy with body shape now nice and dumpy tail relief carved and decoy tested in a tank if water ,it was front heavy so have added lead shot to the tail end which levelled it up nicely.By now i have the keel fixed on another piece of Cedar used for that .The eyes are now making me wonder if the whole thing is going to look wrong ,only a small detail but to me if the eyes aren't right its a failure.wood has now had a coat if sealer . Edited March 21, 2019 by holloway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted March 21, 2019 Report Share Posted March 21, 2019 thats a lot of whittling........well done..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted March 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2019 Had to do something about the eyes before i went any further ! so have changed shade of yellow and reduced pupil size i always think they look a bit mental not an ideal solution but the best i could do in the circumstance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted March 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2019 This is my favorite bit now painting ,i use acrylics in quite thin washes so as not to gum up the texturing that i have tried to add for feathers.Trying to get a bluey green sheen in with the black but not sure i am getting what i want ,it will take several coats also the bill needs some more work. Just about there now never totally happy with the end product . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted March 21, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2019 Pleased i sorted the eyes a shame i had to paint over glass but needs be ,i will probably give it a coat of varnish as a decorative decoy i will not worry about the shine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted March 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 As i said at the start this has been made for our club auction someone always buys them usually between £20 and £40 ,if anyone would like to make a commision bid send me a message i will pass it to the auctioneer on the night April 4th,i am happy to cover postage myself.sorry if i have bored anyone with this . Think maybe a Pinkfoot next year ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bala Posted March 22, 2019 Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 Nice job H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapid .25 Posted March 22, 2019 Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 Brilliant post and a superb end product, 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmaxphil Posted March 22, 2019 Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 You are very talented, certainly not boring by any means Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 22, 2019 Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 Not boring at all, wonderful to see your work. I'm surprised they don't sell for more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted March 22, 2019 Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 Excellent posts and a fine carving job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted March 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 57 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Not boring at all, wonderful to see your work. I'm surprised they don't sell for more! To be honest we always have 2 people bidding the same chap always wins so not much scope for a big sale ,the money will go to the Devon wildfowlers land purchase fund.Thats why i thought i would post it on here it would be good to have a wider bidding platform .Also thanks for the positive feedback.Dont forget i will post free of charge to the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 22, 2019 Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 I would hope you might get a commission or two and could raise funds that way too. Keep up the GREAT work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted March 22, 2019 Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 (edited) Wonderful project and for a great cause if you’re including a display stand I’ll put a bid in for it just love hand made decoys All the best of Edited March 22, 2019 by Old farrier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokersmith Posted March 22, 2019 Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 Great work ... bid on the way ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted March 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 3 hours ago, Old farrier said: Wonderful project and for a great cause if you’re including a display stand I’ll put a bid in for it just love hand made decoys All the best of Yes i can sort a display stand , Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mice! Posted March 22, 2019 Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 Very nice great skills, i was expecting a squirrel though 😄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted March 22, 2019 Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 35 minutes ago, holloway said: Yes i can sort a display stand , £50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted March 22, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 15 minutes ago, Old farrier said: £50 Much appreciated thankyou. If any one else wants to make a commision bid can they private message me please as i dont want to be in breach of any forum rules.(perhaps if a mod reads this they could let me know if its ok ?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted March 22, 2019 Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 Oops sorry don’t want to get you in trouble pm sent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel b3 Posted March 22, 2019 Report Share Posted March 22, 2019 What an absolutely beautiful thing 👍. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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