Drake shoveler gunning decoy.....mini demo.....

What a beautiful series of a remarkable decoy. Out of pure curiosity----start to finish how many hours/days of work is put on such a magnificent finished product?
Al
 
Thank you everyone.....I appreciate all your comments. I hope these little "mini demos" are helpful. I have many more coming, including a few more detailed ones as well.

Al- I never keep track, but if I had to estimate the time.....a couple of hours to rough it out and hollow it, a few more to finish and finalize the carving stage, (allowing overnight drying time for the epoxy); at least 6 hours to completely sand the entire decoy and to finish carve the bill, an hour or so to carve and sand the keel ( the exotic woods are usually very hard; takes longer to sand them), after sealing, at least a few hours (on and off) for priming and Grisaille spread out over two or three days to allow each application to dry, then the painting. This decoy took me approx. 8 hours to paint completely. Because of the specific painting techniques and stages I use (paint some areas and allow to "tack" or dry) the painting of this decoy was spread out over two days. I always have a few birds going at the same time, that way I can paint sections and stages on each when I have down time on a decoy such as this shoveler between paint applications and techniques. Hope that gave you an idea.

Rich, I haven't forgotten your email....I am getting to it!!

Thanks again,

Keith
 
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These threads were inspirational and awsome!.Does Keith still browse the forum?Would be awsome to see some more tutorials.
 
"Gunning decoy"...WOW! I couldn't imagine anybody putting that piece of art through the rigors of a a gunning season. Awesome work Keith. Thanks for sharing.

Steve
 
GREAT LOOKING BIRD KEITH. HOPE TO SEE YOU AROUND AT ONE OF THE UP COMING SHOWS. STILL MARVELLING AT THE LAST BOOK. EVERYTIME I PICK IT UP I FIND SOMETHING I MISSED. TIM
 
Very nice work well done ,Looks the same as the one I have mounted on the wall above my PC.I had the privilage to hunt them 2-days in a-row ,day one I managed to bag 5 and lost the 6th one plus a black duck which both were cripples that fell to far out to look for,day 2-managed to take two nice mature drake spoonies that my dog buster retrieved for me and this time no lost birds.The last day of our season was a no gainner,but thats duck hunting .Next is TURKEY HUNT ohhh yes.
 
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