Opinion and advice needed ( painting deeks)

Farrukh Ashraf

Farrukh Ashraf

Active member
So i decided to built up my rig during this off time and rather then buying new i thought of buying older beaten up wood and cork decoys and then to fix em up, that way i stay away from plastic and get some practice on painting as eventually i know i will want to get into carving myself.
Bought some really nice Brant (cork bodies,wooden heads,tail and bottom boards) from Jay here on the site and also picked some cork Blacks he had.
I gave a shot at painting them and since i have 5 each of them unpainted, i wanted to get opinions and advice here so i can fix what i did wrong.
Please give any suggestions to improve on the remainder birds.
This is the Black unpainted
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Sanded, 2 coats of cork sealer and painted in acrylics, i didn't paint the head, it was good as is
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new55163.jpg


Brant painted
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This was a beat up wooden BB i bought on ebay, unknown carver, neck was falling off, holes on the bottom, was fixed and painted

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Thanks in advance.
Farrukh
 
Farrukh

Find some good reference. Pay particular attention to the feather layout on the blackduck. Also, IMHO and without actually checking reference, I think the color you used for your feathering is a bit on the bright side.

What kind of acrylic did you use? It may just be the flash, but they have plenty of sheen...maybe a touch too much.

Good start, but without good constructive criticism, it is hard to get better.

Best
Chuck
 
I agree with Chuck, but I think you could tone it down with a wash of the base coat. I love carving and hate painting, so take this for what you paid for it :eek:)
A few things that jump out at me...
Primaries aren't curved
Your speculum doesn't line up with the primaries
Your feather layout is good in the sidpockets but not so hot on the back/wings

I don't have a BD overhead shot but this gives you a good starting spot as far as lining up feather outlines.

MallardhenOverhead.jpg

 
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Chuck, i had no reference for the black duck and i laid the feathers just like that, the color is Golden Acrylics raw Sienna + white , maybe i added a little too much white?
I'll try testors on it and see how it looks then. Thanks for pointing things out, i can fix now and the others will come out nice.
Farrukh
 
Hank thats a nice top view, i know what you mean now, i'll keep this pic as reference when i paint the next one, Thanks so much for the tips.
 
Which Goldens? MAtte out of the can with a grey top? Or the glossier white top or tubes?

I doubt I'd add any white, maybe mix some Raw Umber with the Raw Sienna...just a guess, fine a nice pic or someone elses decoy that you like and play with the mixes to suit your taste. Hank is right, you could use a wash to tone it down...

Chuck
 
The blacks draw in just to the body painted the base coat. The feather detail is for the hunter. It should not stand out too much. The head on the one you have is a good place to start with the next one for copying. Check a few out at a decoy show for ideas as well.

The Brant and BB both look good to go for gunning. Again, check out a show or two for more "fancy" ideas that go on contest or for profit birds.

Tuckerton will have a load of good material for your note book.
 
Hey Farrukh, not a bad first attempt, but for a black duck gunner, I wouldn't paint any feathers on it. There really is no need for it.
 
Blackduck really does not need the feathering--Paint base is two parts burent umber to one part ultramarine blue---Colors i will reference are Golden Matte acrylics-Head looks fine--
Mallard hen needs attention!! e mail me at gwdecoys@verizon.net
I will be more than happy to send you a paint schedule for the hen and drake--
Kill those chevrons on the scaup--White is more than sufficient.
Best i can tell you on the brant is that, for me, that bird has always been a bugaboo regarding painting-Do what you feel is enough.
By the body on that first shot, it app4ears as if you lucked into Wiley cork!! Not much need for sealing, BUT, make sure you cover when painting!!
 
Blackduck really does not need the feathering--Paint base is two parts burent umber to one part ultramarine blue---Colors i will reference are Golden Matte acrylics-Head looks fine--
Mallard hen needs attention!! e mail me at gwdecoys@verizon.net
I will be more than happy to send you a paint schedule for the hen and drake--
Kill those chevrons on the scaup--White is more than sufficient.
Best i can tell you on the brant is that, for me, that bird has always been a bugaboo regarding painting-Do what you feel is enough.
By the body on that first shot, it app4ears as if you lucked into Wiley cork!! Not much need for sealing, BUT, make sure you cover when painting!!
Click to expand...

Those Chevrons were carved into wood , i just painted black in it.
 
That is why i noted that you did not have to pit the chevrons in--rather enhance them by outlining---Whitis is just fine, especially for broadbills!
 
I have no practical knowledge to impart, but I will rpovide you with moral support! Good stuff Farrukh!

Anthony
 
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