DIY Network

Lori Corbett: Blue Bird Carving Living in the foothills of the Grand Tetons, she’s had plenty of opportunity to see some spectacular birds! From "Woodsculpting" episode DWDS-112

	Dabbling in several art forms, such as pencil, Lori landed in wood sculpting.

Nestled in Saint Anthony, Idaho, Lori Corbett's wood sculptures look like they could fly off at the blink of an eye! As a successful engineer’s draftsman, it was that disciplined attention to detail that carried over into her second career: a wood sculptor dedicated to carving realistic birds.

Lori starts the project by selecting a photograph to work from and then begins carving on a block of tupelo wood. The final result is a piece of art that captures the wonder of birds in the wild.

Lori demonstrates how she sculpts a blue bird, as seen to the right, and how she manages to give it those life-like details.

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Materials:

block of tupelo wood
pencil
band saw
micro griner with various bits
wood burning pen
sand paper (120, 150, 220 grits)
sculpting epoxy
blue bird eyes
acrylic and watercolor paints
glaze
artist brushes
airbrush

Steps:

1. Select a photograph or drawing to work from.

2. Draw out silhouette of bird onto block of tupelo wood (Figure A).

3. Using band saw, cut out the silhouette of the bird form (Figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

4. Using micro-grinder and various bit attachments, round the edges of the blue bird (Figures C & D).

Figure C

Figure D

5. Re-draw the outlines and feather groups onto the block of wood (Figures E & F).

Figure E

Figure F

6. Continue defining feather groups and shape of bird using micro-grinder (Figures G, H, & I).

Figure G

Figure H

Figure I

7. Using the micro-grinder and a small cylindrical bit, carve out the eye channel (Figure J). Then smooth out the edges around the eye channel (Figure K).

Figure J

Figure K

8. Sand bird and further shape using sandpaper. Start with 120 grit sandpaper, then further sand using 150 and 220 grit papers (Figure L). To test to see if the piece has been sanded smooth, use your sense of touch, as your fingers can detect imperfections that the eyes cannot (Figure M).

9. Re-draw the feather groups (Figure N).

Figure L

Figure M

Figure N

10. Now it's time for the details of the piece. Refer to your photograph or drawing as you work. Using a fine bit on the micro-grinder, carve some of the more intricate details of the feathers (Figures O, P, & Q).

Figure O

Figure P

Figure Q

11. Once again, using 150 and then 220 grit sand paper, sand smooth (Figures R & S).

Figure R

Figure S

12. Now for the eyes. Within the eye channels, grind out a hole for the eye (Figures T & U).

Figure T

Figure U

13. Then, mix sculpting epoxy and using a small amount of epoxy insert the eyes (Figures V & W). Use the epoxy to also create the top and bottom eyelids for a more realistic effect and to further hold the eye (Figure X). Let dry.

Figure V

Figure W

Figure X

14. Redraw the details, this time indicating individual feathers (Figure Y).

15. Then using a fine tip bit, create those individual feathers (Figure Z).

Figure Y

Figure Z

These details are so small, a magnification glasses or goggles help (Figure AA).

16. Using a wood-burning pen, burn in texture and feather detail (Figure BB).

Figure AA

Figure BB

17. Mix base color of paint and and using an airbrush, apply light coat (Figures CC & DD). Mix colors to vary the hue of the paint (for highlights).

Figure CC

Figure DD

18. Apply light coat of glaze between coats of paint.

19. Apply 11 coats of paint to complete the bird sculpture (Figures EE & FF).

Figure EE

Figure FF

RESOURCES :

Woodcarving Illustrated magazine
Website: www.woodcarvingillustrated.com

Carving Award-Winning Songbirds
by Lori Corbett
Fox Chapel Publishing
www.foxchapelpublishing.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=1606

For more books on bird carving
type in "birds" in the keyword search at:
www.foxchapelpublishing.com