Torching a feather

[BeckyN]

Any tips on how to achieve the burnt look without the charcoal, lol. Perhaps oil first? Any ideas? Here's the first try, not sure I like it

[Merle Rice]

Hi Becky, I've seen it done but never done it . My Opinion on your Piece is , I think you made it to Dark , try doing it in Layers like Wood Burning , a little at a time till you reach the Darkness you want . Good Idea, gona look good . Merle

[sappy]

Okay, just realized you are using a torch, not wood burner. Oil burns, so don't oil it first. Keep the heat farther from the wood and move it back and forth faster, that is about it, build on it like Merle said. Keep trying!

[Arthur C.]

I'd go over what you have with a brass bristle brush, if you want to try to salvage this one.

[Randy]

As was shared do not work so close to you project. Also deferent woods reacted deferentially to heat. I would work with scrap from this wood you are using to learn what works best on it.

[joepaulbutler]

Becky, if you look at some of my latest carvings, look at the background, if this is a color that would interest you, let me know and I give the two-part stain that I use

[Brian T]

I think it looks fine. I like the smoothed appearance of the feather fiber.
Q: how big is it? Don't hesitate to carve 24" and 36" feathers.

A propane bottle torch is used here commonly to burn the fuzzies off a chainsaw carving (then wire brush) and/or to put black fur on a chainsaw bear. Spray the first poly coat out of a rattle can to "fix" the charcoal so it can withstand some brush work. Same as artists do to fix charcoal, chalk, Conte' and pastel drawings.

Not all many big feathers are monochrome. Other than Ravens and Crows. Lots of different patterns might look more "acceptable" in the viewer's head.
These are a bit complicated:

RIMG0031.JPG

A single feather to the First Nations here is emblematic of the speaker. Everyone else is expected to listen. The holder of the feather (usually eagle) must speak the truth.

Tom Lafortune carved a "fist and a feather" as a gift for our Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry. It is indicative of her work all during this Covid-19 mess. Must be 36" tall.

[woodburner807]

Be careful burning over any finish because it can be toxic. Not sure exactly what effect you are looking for, but maybe just do it in oil paint?

[Brian T]

Sorry. I thought that it was clear. Burn first, fix then finish.

[BeckyN]

Tons if great advice!
i do agree, way to dark for me too! Thankfully just a test try.
i don't use or want ro try painting.
i can burn in the bbq so fumes are not an issue.
i used a brush yesterday, tub brush, lol, it is a bit better,but I definitely list a lot of the fine details of the feathering. The grooves are really hard to get burnt without over burning the entire piece.
suze is 7 inches long and almost 2 inches wide . End result is intended to hang on rearview mirrors etc, with sinew ties.
loving the input! Keep them coming! Carving out feather number 2, as another test!
My original designs take too bloody long, 45 minutes each side of the feather, so 45 times 4, plus the 30 minutes to carve, wasn't financially feasible. This is the original design.

[BeckyN]

Sorry I took so long to reply, a certain something is taking up my time!

[woodburner807]

That puppy looks adorable and can see why your time was spent with it. What breeds? How old?

[BeckyN]

10 weeks old today, a Caucasian Ovcharka. A few years in the planning, to get this big guy.
His name is Leo

[joepaulbutler]

Don't teach him to play fetch, if you do you'll never get anything done∙∙∙∙the voice of experience

[woodburner807]

Never heard of the breed, Becky, but looked it up and a great dog and a nice big one also. We had St. Bernard's at one time but Leo looks like he will be a lot larger. We are dog lovers and he has captured our hearts. If younger we would think about one...too old now and not fair to the dog when we go.