Good morning, All~
Just got through 3 great days at the Northeast Workworkers Ass'n Showcase in nearby Saratoga Springs. I was judging and teaching 2 classes each day - one on decoys and one on duckboats - so did not have time to photograph any of the amazing variety of works on display. Lots of talented people!
Now I can get back in the shop.
I showed this cedar-bodied Black Duck last month. I used it as a prop in my classes - so now I can glue it up and finish it.
Here is a Wildfowler Black Duck I rehabbed as a gift - a Quogue Superior Model - with a balsa body.
My so-called "satin" spar varnish has been drying to a high sheen - so I have since toned this bill down with some fine steel wool.
This Herter's Model 72 Pintail got a coat of epoxy+ ....fine sawdust on the head and Homer Coat (finely ground walnut shells) on the body. He also got a plastic (from an industrial barrel) tail insert because the Durlon foam had worn away over many seasons.
Both Drake and Hen have been primed with flat oils and will get their latex topcoats soon. I will be both photodocumenting (stills) my painting for a Tutorial AND a friend will be "filming" (still not sure what verb to use for digital cameras taking movies....) the process as well.
This Wildfowler Superior Black Duck once belonged to an ECO (Environmental Conservation Officer) from eastern LI. I worked with Harry Jackson long ago. I found this on eBay and bought it from Harry's son.
It was generally sound but the tail was very soft and missing a bit. So, I cut out the unsound balsa and installed some new, denser balsa. The "dutchman" was set in thickened epoxy.
I also installed new eyes and filled some gouges, nicks and hollows. I have been replacing the eyes, too. The original Wildfowlers eyes were typically set "proud" - and I prefer to set them more naturally (but without recarving the faces).
It will become a Hen Mallard - as part of the small Mallard-Black rig I am assembling with Wildfowler Superiors I am gathering from across the country.
Here she is all faired and sanded. She has since been sealed with spar varnish and then primed with duckboat paint - Pettit 3303 Dull Dead Grass.
All the best,
SJS
Steven Jay Sanford
Pencil Brook Farm
South Cambridge, NY
http://www.stevenjaysanford.com
Just got through 3 great days at the Northeast Workworkers Ass'n Showcase in nearby Saratoga Springs. I was judging and teaching 2 classes each day - one on decoys and one on duckboats - so did not have time to photograph any of the amazing variety of works on display. Lots of talented people!
Now I can get back in the shop.
I showed this cedar-bodied Black Duck last month. I used it as a prop in my classes - so now I can glue it up and finish it.
Here is a Wildfowler Black Duck I rehabbed as a gift - a Quogue Superior Model - with a balsa body.
My so-called "satin" spar varnish has been drying to a high sheen - so I have since toned this bill down with some fine steel wool.
This Herter's Model 72 Pintail got a coat of epoxy+ ....fine sawdust on the head and Homer Coat (finely ground walnut shells) on the body. He also got a plastic (from an industrial barrel) tail insert because the Durlon foam had worn away over many seasons.
Both Drake and Hen have been primed with flat oils and will get their latex topcoats soon. I will be both photodocumenting (stills) my painting for a Tutorial AND a friend will be "filming" (still not sure what verb to use for digital cameras taking movies....) the process as well.
This Wildfowler Superior Black Duck once belonged to an ECO (Environmental Conservation Officer) from eastern LI. I worked with Harry Jackson long ago. I found this on eBay and bought it from Harry's son.
It was generally sound but the tail was very soft and missing a bit. So, I cut out the unsound balsa and installed some new, denser balsa. The "dutchman" was set in thickened epoxy.
I also installed new eyes and filled some gouges, nicks and hollows. I have been replacing the eyes, too. The original Wildfowlers eyes were typically set "proud" - and I prefer to set them more naturally (but without recarving the faces).
It will become a Hen Mallard - as part of the small Mallard-Black rig I am assembling with Wildfowler Superiors I am gathering from across the country.
Here she is all faired and sanded. She has since been sealed with spar varnish and then primed with duckboat paint - Pettit 3303 Dull Dead Grass.
All the best,
SJS
Steven Jay Sanford
Pencil Brook Farm
South Cambridge, NY
http://www.stevenjaysanford.com