March "What's on your Workbench?"

[Derek and Xena]

Very nice swan Andy! I like your lines, clean and graceful! Great looking bird.

 

[jode hillman]

Andy Swan is looking nice.

 

[P. Revicki]

Jode
Missed talking to you at Westlake,maybe next year or at Tuckerton. I have a question on the ronans for a base coat. Do you mix anything in to slow them down a little? They dry so fast and it is a problem when trying to blend some of the base coat.
Pete

 

[jode hillman]

Pete, yes been busy and missed making the trip west this year.

I usually add a small amount of copal medium to the Ronan's, but it only extends it a bit.

I mainly block out large area's of color and don't get alot of blending done with the Ronan's.

It is more of a primer coat. It bonds good to the wood and the tube oils stick to it like glue.

 

[Chris Finch]

i got to touch that deke last night and all i have to say is wow. it is one of the coolest heads i have ever seen. i love how you carved the under bill

 

[John Lawrence]

Thanks Chris. Wait till next year. I have a couple of pieces of white pine ready to go that is going to become a sleeping brant over the summer. Very dark and very smokey. I've been playing with sketches all morning.

 

[Capt. Larry M]

I have been fortunate enough to have been getting lessons from renowned carver Paul Dobrosky, I explained to Paul that I was looking to carves some Canvasbacks for the rig and he told me he give me some tricks to the trade. Well he's given me more than some tricks he's shown me the whole trade!! Words can't descibe Paul how appreciative I am Paul thanks again! Looking forward on the setting eyes lesson tomorrow!

The 1st decoy Paul carved as a lesson the 2nd decoy I carved except for the bill as I needed another lesson and was too afraid to screw it up, the next one will be all me! 3 lessons and my carving has improved dramatically IMO

Paul's decoy from the 2nd lesson

Mine, with help from Paul on the bill

 

[jode hillman]

Larry, excellent! Things go so much easier when you have hands on teaching from someone who knows what they are doing. Paul is about as good as it gets when it comes to carving Cans.

Finished up this dove this week. I Have a few that sit outside my shop window and finally decided to make one.

 

[Steve Steffy]

That's a sharp dove Jode...any more progress on those turkeys?

Steve

 

[jode hillman]

Thanks Steve.

I have the Turkey's primed out, will be doing the finish painting next week.

 

[Capt. Larry M]

Jode, like the dove alot

Paul has been great nothing like a visual for teaching nothing compares than to be able to do it side by side

 

[Jon Zuccolo]

This month I started carving my first decoys... Got my first one done more or less (needs eyes and a keel). Think I will do some more next month

 

[Andy Grant]

Jon Z.
You are off to a good start.

 

[Kevin Wharton]

birds Im bringing for this weekend at Westlake

 

[Kevin Wharton]

 

[Paul Scott]

Very nice Kevin, ESP like your wigeon hen.

 

[Kevin Wharton]

Thanks Paul, I dont know why they came out so big, I guess there oversize...lol

 

[P. Revicki]

Jode,
Love the dove and thanks for the info on ronans. I might head down to the Frank and Frank auction are you going?
Pete

 

[jode hillman]

Kevin's like Texas...........bigger and better for all! LOL. Great birds kev.Have fun in Ohio this weekend.

Pete, thanks. Yes I'll be at Parkertown next saturday for the show and very well may be at the auction the next day. A friend wants me to bid on something for him.

 

[Kevin Wharton]

Jode there OVERSIZE