December workbench

[Don Mintz]

I finally added divers to the list of designs. These 5 drakes are the first to hit the finish line and ready to face off against those moon faced green heads. You might notice that there is no green on the heads, that's just how we do it for our own goldeneye. The closest I'll get to putting green on them is there is actually green paint in the shop at the same time they are. The bobtail hen is about 20 years old now, a burlapped foamer that has been in the river hundreds of times and now she has some new boyfriends

 

[Don Mintz]

well they float. I wished I had been in the position I took this photo when a group came in. I was figuring the ducks would be at least 3 feet off the water, but they were nearly touching the water with their toes and behind a wall of cattails. It poured and poured on us this afternoon and not many birds in the air. At least we got to watch the new decoys work. The moss was a mess, so I rinsed them off in the shop sink and they are ready for the next trip.

 

[MHarter]

Finished up the carving. Cut some Mahogany keels. Time to seal and paint. Any advice , recommendations on painting blue wing teal greatly appreciated.

 

[JasonM]

Finished up the carving. Cut some Mahogany keels. Time to seal and paint. Any advice , recommendations on painting blue wing teal greatly appreciated.

One I did last year. Dark cork, white pine head, painted in acrylics. If I can answer any questions let me know.

 

[Mark Belknap]

Nice work Creeds!!

 

[Ronald Bock]

Got some base colors put on this guy. Lots of light colored feather highlights to go.

 

[Don Mintz]

I finished up this Barrows GE this morning.

 

[Don Mintz]

I finished a couple more today. These are fully feathered and hand painted.

 

[Ronald Bock]

Getting a little farther on this long tail. It's -40 outside so it's a good day to stay in and pain

 

[Ronald Bock]

Getting a little farther on this long tail. It's -40 outside so it's a good day to stay in and pain

My daughter will be out this weekend and will help me dry brush on some nearly white on the back and sides. That will lighten up the bird yet retain the underlying feathers.
Nice having a really good painter to collaborate with. I've done gunners all my life. She is bringing me up in my painting skill level.
Merry Christmas all.

 

[Don Mintz]

Having an extra painter sure lightens the load.

 

[Ronald Bock]

My daughter will be out this weekend and will help me dry brush on some nearly white on the back and sides. That will lighten up the bird yet retain the underlying feathers.
Nice having a really good painter to collaborate with. I've done gunners all my life. She is bringing me up in my painting skill level.
Merry Christmas all.

This is the kind of texts I get back. Picture overlay of duck vs decoys and a numbered list of areas to work on and ideas of how to improve it. Really is quite helpful.