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In this chapter from Del Herbert’s bird carving series, learn how to shape the top view of a shorebird’s head using a combination of hand tools and rotary carving equipment. Del demonstrates how to transfer the top-view pattern, remove excess wood with carving bits and sanding drums, and refine the shape with a knife. Using a template as a guide, you’ll learn how to achieve accurate contours while shaping the cheek and jowl areas and leaving the joint area oversized until the head is attached to the body.
Transcript
This chapter we’re going to talk about shaping the top view of the head.
While I cut the profile view out directly on the bandsaw, I shape the top view by hand.
I start by tracing the top view pattern on my headpiece.
And, I’ll usually go to my rotary cutting tool, and I’ll use various cutting bits to shape the head.
And, a final shaping I normally do with a drum type sander on a rotary cutting tool.
Now, there are certain areas of the head that it’s much more advantageous to use a knife on, and I’ll use a combination of all of these tools to shape the top view of the head.
And, again, I’ll use the template to tell when I have the shape exactly where I want it. When I can fit the template over the head with no gaps, I’ve got a rough shape Then I’ll go ahead again with a sanding drum, I’ll shape the cheek and jowl area of the head, being careful to leave the joint area oversized.
We can’t shape this area on the bird until it’s attached to the body.