This eagle looks like an interesting next-carving project.

[FrederickH]

I want to try various enlargements of this eagle to see if it would be a "good" project for me. My supply of gold leaf is getting low and I'll have to estimate the amount needed to cover it(and the plaque).

[lew]

Looks challenging!

[Grandpadave52]

Looks great for a new carving. Definitely will be following along.

[FrederickH]

Let the carving process begin. I have to add some detail to the backside of the carving before I can move onto the front, where the major carving will occur.

Edited February 16 by FrederickH

[Grandpadave52]

Going to be challenging. I love the patina on your bench.

[FrederickH]

Finally had a couple of hours to do some carving.

[lew]

Really had to pare down those wings!

[Grandpadave52]

"Steady as she goes"

[FrederickH]

Tying to get the feather pattern right!

[lew]

Looking good from Stanley Ave.!  Like the way the feet and head came out.

[Grandpadave52]

Great progress. Really beginning to take shape and form.

[FrederickH]

Almost ready to fly to get gilded, not gelded. I'm learning that a photo shows more of the imperfections than seen with my eye. There are areas that need cleaned up more and the "whiskers" removed.

[lew]

5 minutes ago, FrederickH said:

Almost ready to fly to get gilded, not gelded

 

Glad it's the former and not the latter!!

[Grandpadave52]

28 minutes ago, lew said:

 

Glad it's the former and not the latter!!

Ditto!

[FrederickH]

Edge molding hand planed and attached to the plaque. This is the first coat of shellac for both and another coat will be done after a sanding. Next, comes the paint/gesso/sizing/gold leaf.

[Grandpadave52]

Looking great so far Rick. 

[FrederickH]

 

Ready for some sizing/gold.

[lew]

Cool!

 

Do you always use gold paint under the gold leaf?

[Grandpadave52]

Now with some visible contrast, that eagle turned out amazing Rick. Can't wait to see with the gold leaf.

[FrederickH]

2 hours ago, lew said:

Cool!

 

Do you always use gold paint under the gold leaf?

Yes, but this is not a typical gold paint but a "gesso", which is an oil-based paint with a calcium carbonite(chalk) added to it to fill in small imperfections. The real gesso was a clay product that was meant to be rubbed out(think stone/metal) for that burnished look The basswood is too soft to be rubbed out hard. I will use a dark blue gesso for any silver leaf that I do.

Edited March 3 by FrederickH