[cobalt]

As CV3 said heres a load of bull
Messing about with some lime wood and rams horn.
The origanl drawing where to big so reduced the size and design , again looking at roman/ greek myth. and the spanish fighting bull
Pattern
blank cut out
Rams horn
Rams horn cut out divided into two sections
View attachment 3069 Positioning horns with dowel for angle/ size and fit .have yet to be shaped.

 

[cobalt]

Dont know what happened to the thumbnail cant get rid of it?.Its ony a duplicate

 

[CV3]

Using horn will make it really standout. Looks good.

 

[Sean]

Looks great so far. Sorry Cobalt tried to help you out by getting rid of the thumbnail but I think I slipped with my finger and
Deleted the wrong one bud.

Sean

 

[Gloops]

Looking forward to see it progressing.

 

[cobalt]

okay sean it as it was

more work in progress not a lot but getting there between other jobs

repositioning horns

 

[MJC4]

Looking good!! Keep the progress pics coming!

 

[cobalt]

trying to get some work done on the bull.have got round to repositioning the horns had to redrill the holes for the dowel and fill the other holes i.It should make anydifference to the head as it will be painted . started to shape the rams horn using rasps and think i will have to bend the horn more to enhance the head.Its a slow process finalising the shape.

Still a fair bit of carving to do to get the head shape okay

repositioning the horn

shaping the rams horn

positioning

 

[CV3]

The horns are looking good cobalt. It is going to be a good looking topper.

 

[Gloops]

Coming on well, looking good

 

[cobalt]

Time seems to be in short supply at the moment but did sneek nto the workshop today to try and get it finished

inserted glass dress makers pins for the pupils

front view

shortened the horn by 1/2 inch looked more like the longhorn , it looked good with the longhorn but more prone to damage i think

horn needs polishing and the carving needs a few tweeks sanding and sealing

 

[CV3]

He is good looking bull. Very well done.

 

[MJC4]

Great looking piece Cobalt!

I am thinking the stick will be a great conversation starter!

 

[Gloops]

Are you going to texture and paint or stain?

 

[cobalt]

will use drawing ink and clear varnish after its had a couple of sessions burning it

carved the ears and positioned them .nothing is fixed yet

ears located for the second time had to reposition them filled holes in with dowel

1st stage burning

 

[cobalt]

Completed the 2nd stage burning today. hopefully i will have time to fix the horn/eyes and ears in place. a tad more polishing on the rams horn then start finishing with ink and varnish? The burning has given it some teture but didnt want this to pronounced

2nd stage burning. hoping this will enhance the mixture of black drawing ink and varnish effect , and aviod a flat black colour that you oftern get when using black

 

[Gloops]

Hi cobalt, burning looks good, I have a pyrograph (Peter Childs) but has of yet not used it on my toppers. I must have a go when I do the Peregrine falcon topper.

 

[MJC4]

the burning has really brought the bull to life. after black ink tint, maybe a satin polyurethane would give it the sleek black look of the Spanish fighting bull ?

 

[cobalt]

Thats the look i am after mark

i have the peter child machine i like it it has some control on it. The problem is with burning is to get used to burning the end grain of the wood completely different compared with going with the grain,It is ideal for useing on birds of any kind. It as you say keeps the fuzz down a lot reduces sanding which i hate.It does texture slightly depending on both temp. and pressure put on the nib.With a good stiff brush it cleans up well.And nearly always use it on water fowl.

There is a good book on carving birds called" carving realistic birds" by David Tippey It gives some good toolsand techniques guide along with painting..There all british common British birds and the osprey not to bad.

The falcon is interesting bird should make good subject matter.I think the most difficult part of birds of prey is the transition between the topper and the shank , I like to see the topper overhang the shank with the neck becoming part of the transition but with birds of prey they dont have much neck.So most toppers are cut back into the shank .It looks okay.

 

[cobalt]

Took your advice CV3 and smoothed the snout off.

The wiil fix the eyes when its had final coat of varnish

Snout sanded back

coated snout with drawing ink

sealed with clear varnish

1st coat ink and varnish mix

2nd coat ink vatnish

3rd coat