Hey Keith... got the book!

JeffCassat

JeffCassat

Active member
apparently my 4 month old son ordered your book for me. It showed up today. Not to sound like a kiss-ass but this thing is amazing. it's got everything in it, patterns, painting, stories, pretty pictures (the most important in any good decoy book!), techniques... EVERYTHING. I don't even know where to start. actually, i know where i'll start.. with a mallard in oils!

I've only been carving for ~ 5 years and have all of the general pattern books, technique books etc. This is certainly a nice addition. I don't know that this is an introductory book for someone just starting, but for someone like me who's gone through the basics and wants the "next step," this is IT.

I've skimmed through the book (it'll take me months to actually read it) and know that you mention the different grades of oil paints. Can you post your recommendations of an artist grade/and or premium grade brand of paints that i can get for the mallard? I know i need the 9 colors listed, but would love a "if you have money to burn, get these.. if you still want good paint and a little cheaper, get these." Can't wait to dig in!

the mallards from the "rhode island rig" are by far my favorite. funny how something so "simple" as compared to the other birds in the book can be so appealing. i'm drawn to the breasts of those birds... i think it is the color. love em!

One day when i win the lottery i'll need a mallard and a "half dressed drake" shoveler... those few pages are going to give me a lot of inspiration!

thanks for such a great tool. Tomorrow i'll be back in the shop for the first time in 4-5 months.

Jeff
 
"the art in making decoys" by keith mueller.

and i think i answered my own questions about the oils.

amber shellac, ronans for grisaille, grumbacher pretested with little to no turp added... hows that sound?
I hunt the hell out of my decoys (when i get to hunt ;) ) so i need the paint to hold up. hopefully that is a good combo.

jeff
 
Yes the book...I need some info on this book Keith. Sounds like a good one to be added to my collection.

Steve
Click to expand...

I ordered mine yesterday.

From the horse's mouth:
My book is available in two editions; the Workbook Edition and the Collectors Edition. Both books are hardcover, the workbook has a printed cover and jacket, and the collectors has a leather type cover and matching sleeve with gold foil trim and logo. The book is approx 500 pages and large size (approx 10 x 13). The Collectors Edition is signed and numbered and is limited to 500 copies. We do have a few copies of this edition still available. You can purchase the book by calling my publisher Jimmy Hunt at: 631 928 5920 in NY to make payment and shipping arrangements. If anyone on this forum who purchases a copy would like it inscribed and have a perncil remarque (my compliments) please let Jimmy know that I will do this for you, and he will tell me, and I will mail it from my studio. Let Jimmy know your favorite waterfowl species so I can make it custom for you.

Thanks again,

Keith
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Thank you everyone. Chuck, I will be sending your book out shortly, I will do your swan Remarque and out the door it goes. Watch for it mid next week,

Thank you again, enjoy!!

Thank you Jeff, I really appreciate your comments....I am glad that you are happy with it. You are absolutely correct, I designed my book not to be a beginners book (there are a few on the market to get you started) but I designed it to move you beyond the basics and to enhance and build on your skills.

My recommendation would be to use Grumbacher pre-tested oils. I use them the most for regular gunners, and save the high end paints for the premium grades and decoratives. Grumbachers are a top rated paint, and handle perfectly for gunners. These paints are perfect for what you want to do, even if money isn't an issue. If you want to add to your palette, you might want to include Old Holland and Williamsburg.....the best of the best!

I am glad that you are inspired by my book.....that was the whole idea. You don't have to be a decoy carver to enjoy it. Many of the people who bought my book don't carve at all. But they love waterfowling and decoys, and they enjoyed the history and the stories.

Thanks again. If I can help you in any way, please feel free to ask!

Good luck with the oils on those mallards!

Best,

Keith
 
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That's the info I needed...thank you. Keith are you going to be at the Westlake show? I will pick up a copy there if you are. If not I will have to get a copy ordered.

Steve
 
I'm glad you got a copy. Keith's book is as seminal a work on decoy carving as Bruce Burk's "Game Bird Carving", LeMaster's three-book series, or Grayson Chesser's book on gunning decoys when each was published. Each decade/generation has a carving book or two that really sets the bar, and this has definitely done it.

Let me know when you want to get together and make some dust; I'll let you pick through the driftwood for your fish carvings, too...I know I owe you pictures, but you can look through in person...

I'm in the process of re-vamping my oils entirely, and I am also, unfortunately, proof of Keith's experience with white cedar. I have a little sleeper bluebill drake done in 2008; after two hunting seasons and summer in Arkansas, the cedar has bled through on the white combed back and sidepockets...through two coats of Varathane sealer and two base coats of Rustoleum flat black...

I'm swapping out to shellac and upgrading my oil paints. Working on birds for the Worlds this weekend...
 
When John posted on the dark side, I knew who he was talkin' about heading for the "Erie Coast".

My "gunnin" copy is broke in Kieth, the dust jacket is in the safe. It was getting a few too many character marks.

But I can say for certain, I don't have to worry about the signed copies getting used as a cosmetic tray :-)

It will be nice to meet you Keith and John. Look for the fat guy with a Canon adorned in Max-4.

Hitch
 
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