Dragon Breath

[Keoma]

Thats what we tell our kids they have in the morning Anyway, This is my new WIP It is 8.25 inches long and carved from a piece of hard rock maple. It's a custom order for a lady and if she decides she does not want it...Great! Because I love it! This is by far one of the coolest things i have ever carved! I wanted to share the before I food color it and the after.
The dragon will be greens and yellows with either a red stick, a black stick or natural colored. I think it will be quite dramatic when it is finished. Any feedback is welcomed and appreciated...especially if its good Hope you like it!

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Re: Dragon Breath

Awsome work Keoma, can't wait to see it finished. It looks really nice, I carved some dragons in cotton wood bark a while back never had much fun doing the scales, seemd tedius and to much like work. Thanks for sharing pics of it ya did a great job.
Carl

[Ron T]

Re: Dragon Breath

Hi Keoma,

That's a very nice dragon and a nice "twist" on the stick. You come up with some great ideas. Of course it just tempts me to try one, but so far I'm resisting.

I would do the stick black and paint the tongue red/orange, like flame.

[mateo]

Re: Dragon Breath

Wow, I'm liking that a lot! Nice job Keoma!
I vote for a natural stain all over.......What? My vote doesn't count? Ok. I look forward to seeing it in all of its finished glory!
Matt

[Keoma]

Re: Dragon Breath

Thanx a bunch guys! If it were me, I would totally cover it in instant coffee and a few spots of color. BUT the lady I am making it for calls for a punch of color. Thanx ron-I was wondering where to add the red. That will make the tongue imitate flames...way cool. I will graduate the colors redder at the base to flame and yellows at the tip.
The cool thing about food coloring is that it blends so well and over laps beautifully! It shades in just the right spots! I will cover the whole works with a clear gloss.
Scales are not a lot of work, but are time consuming, and I think Mark Yundt has worn off on me...or I just understand his point of view now. I enjoyed carving each one. It became a hunger to finish them. The result is a deafeningt difference. Before the scales, it was a spiral. After the scales...it was a dragon. Details are where its at. Without them its a piece of wood to stick in your hair...wow...but with them...your hair becomes an altar for a piece of Art.
There is no detail to small...imagine the sunset...without red.

[chuckt]

Re: Dragon Breath

Me likey Keoma. Really nice work. Can't wait to see it colored.

Cheers!
ChuckT

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Re: Dragon Breath

Ya know what scales are probaly like doing bricks on my bark houses I didn't like them at first but aftern a few thounds of them It seem relaxing. I have actually seen sunsets without red, maybe a better comparison would be like a black and white rainbow, lol. I don't know about wearing a hairstick might make me look crazy. How long untill it gets its color?
Carl

[Buckskin]

Re: Dragon Breath

Wow! Those have came a long way. I can't wait to see the finished product. I guess I need to take your food coloring class cuz my last attempt was tragic. I do like the instant coffee to create a rustic look. That has worked well for me on a few items.

[sccarnes]

Re: Dragon Breath



gal i keep thnking you always out do your self, and tus push the rest of us,
thanks
sam
amazing piece

[Keoma]

Re: Dragon Breath

There are no sunsets without red.
I am coloring it now Frank. You'll like it Don't give up on the food coloring!

[Keoma]

Re: Dragon Breath

Thank you Sam! I have never made a dragon before, so I am VERY proud of it. I love trying something new, so not boreing!

[Joy]

Re: Dragon Breath

I think you outdid yourself on that one. Way to go girl!

[Keoma]

Re: Dragon Breath

Thank you Joy! I hope you like it finished!

This is just colored...no black yet. I painted the areas I wanted with water first. Then all I have to do is barely touch the brush to the section and it spreads like magic-filling in every nook and cranny.


Then I buffed it, the water raised the grain a smidgen so some good wet dry over the whole surface and then "painted the pole. I used my favorite tool, the Black Sharpie. If you oil a Sharpie first, it does not run when you seal with a poly of some sort. This is something I learned the HAAAARd way!


There he is...all done! I just love him-can't quit looking at it and holding it!

[Buckskin]

Re: Dragon Breath

He looks really good!!!! I am impressed.

[Keoma]

Re: Dragon Breath

Awwww...thanx!