Stalion Eclipse

Great looking carving. It looks so real. I like your idea to make the horse dark to stand out from the background. That was a very wise choice because it really does stand out.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

spectacular work.
I notice you carve vertical instead of laying flat, any particular reason why?
the end result is amazing
great work

-- Junior -Quality is never an accident-it is the reward for the effort involved.

Thought that looked familiar. Turned out fantastic! Great color contrast. Really beautiful, great project.

-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.

Kenneth, that came out so nice!!! I was impressed when I viewed it before, and am impressed all over again. Great job my friend. Would like to know your finishes you used on this.

-- Dan Wiggins

Beautiful work. Can’t wait to see your next one. Thanks for the post.

-- Make every day the best day of your life. Chips, Mississippi

This is beautiful Kenneth, You are a real artist. Thanks for posting this.

-- Paul Sayre Creativity is a drug I cannot live without. Cecil B. DeMille (1881 - 1959)

Very nice work. I think you made a great choice with the color. Thanks for sharing

Great Job on the carving very impressive!! The black makes you think of black stallion or black beauty.

-- Major Walt Timoschuk,III

Beautiful work of art. Thanks for sharing.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

That is awesome. You are a true craftsman.

WOW!!!!!!

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

Thank you guys.

JuniorJoiner,

I carve on an easel I made which is at about a 75 degree angle or so. Carving at and angle opposed to carving flat on a table has it advantages in my opinion.
1. You can step back and look at the progress of your piece.
2. It helps you keep the right proportions, the same reason painter paint on easels (so you don’t make the head look too big etc).
3. You’re not hunched over straining or injuring your back.
4. You can see how the carving looks under similar lighting to when it is hung or installed (this is key because we are carving to catch light and cast shadows).
5. And there is probably more reasons that will come to me later.
Thanks JuniorJoiner

Savannah505,

The finish on this piece was experimental. I started with Danish Oil (walnut color) this will seal the carving and wont let the following stains seep too deep into the grain which can distract from the carving. I rubbed the Danish oil adding more when needed and let that dry over night. Then I applied a redish brown stain and rubbed, or polished that in and let that dry. Then I applied a black stain in a similar fashion. I wasn’t getting the darkness I wanted at the speed I desired so I took out my airbrush and sprayed the black stain down and let it dry. I repeated the airbrushing a couple time until I got the dark color I wanted. Then I combined a metallic gold powder (Aztec Gold) to polyurethane and painted the sun rays and hills and let it dry. I then painted the hills with a bronze powder mixture and let that dry. I thought the hills didn’t have enough contrast so I took some black paint and painted the hills then wiped off some of the paint leaving more paint in the gouge marks. This gave the bronze an aged look I thought looked pretty cool. I then left the piece alone for a couple days making sure everything was dry. I then sprayed the piece with Deft a lacquer spray and after a coat was dry I sanded/polished it with fine stainless steel wool. I did this several times. I went through about two cans of deft. After it was all done the piece had a stone like feel to it.
Thanks Savannah505

-- http://www.kennethbirdine.com/

Absoluteyl beautiful !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish I had an “ounce” of your carving talent!

Great job and thanks for sharing

-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/

Thank you majeagle1 you have plenty talent

-- http://www.kennethbirdine.com/

magnificent!

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

How beautiful, I envy your talent. Thanks for sharing

Great carving!!!

-- Scott NM,http://www.shangrilawoodworks.com

Beautiful! No other word can describe it. :)

-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com

WOW, It turned out beautiful. Great job!!!

-- Dennis Zongker

Ssswwweeett!

-- ~ Inspiring those who inspire me ~

Beautifully done! Can you show us a photo of your easel?

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe

Thank you MsDebbieP, Harv, Scott Shangraw, TedM, Dennis Zongker, kolwdwrkr and mmh.

mmh, I posted the work easel photos.

-- http://www.kennethbirdine.com/

Great work, all your pieces are great. Cant wait to see what you do next.

-- Doris Oakwood Ga

Thank you Cookie.

-- http://www.kennethbirdine.com/