When my niece went to live together with her boyfriend I asked her if she liked a specific kind of gift, useful for her new house.
She told me she liked it if I could make something for the garden, something for the birds. Something like a birdhouse. One type of birds she really liked were owls.Finished piece siting in a tree |
I went to Google and looked for inspiration for birdhouses in combination with owls and ended up with this picture:
Picture I found |
My niece kinda liked that idea, but she liked it a little more "realistic". I started to sketch a bit with some owl pictures as reference which led to this:
First drawing |
This picture was approved by my niece, with the mention I would alter some things about it because I wasn't fully pleased with it.
I scanned the picture to the computer and used Photoshop to do some minor adjustments. The owl got a little big fatter, his feet got bigger and he became smaller (or his head became bigger in proportion, depending how you look at it.)Altered drawing |
This image was used to become a template which I could transfer to wood.
On a different piece of paper I drew the template for the wings and tail and I changed the shape of his claws, making him a bit more friendly.
On a copy I drew the shape of the house part, on this I could take measurements (size/ angles) easily.
The bird was sawn and put together using glue and nails. At the right side I left a piece out, which later became a little hatch. This way, if it would be inhabited, you can check and clean inside.
Wooden version |
Side view of the bare wooden version |
When the sawing part was done it was time to do the detailed paint job.
I've never done birds before, making it quite tricky. I tried to do every feather separately, using a variation of colors. It might not be a perfect owl mimic, but I do think it looks great.
Top view during the painting. Left wing has some guidelines, right wing is done. |
Bottom view, the wings still have to be done. |
Eyes
Something new I did were the eyes. In the past I've tried to make some fake eyes using polyester resin globes, but their quite tricky to cast.
On the internet I found a little diy shop that sold cabochon glass pieces. These are perfect for this purpose. They measure about 3 cm (the biggest they got). The eyes were printed and glued to the back. This sounds easier than it sounds though, it took several tries. Best result I got was to print on photo paper and use a fair amount of acrylic varnish as a glue. You can move the picture for a small amount of time, before pressing it into a piece of crafts foam.
On the internet I found a little diy shop that sold cabochon glass pieces. These are perfect for this purpose. They measure about 3 cm (the biggest they got). The eyes were printed and glued to the back. This sounds easier than it sounds though, it took several tries. Best result I got was to print on photo paper and use a fair amount of acrylic varnish as a glue. You can move the picture for a small amount of time, before pressing it into a piece of crafts foam.
I am a bit bummed I don't have my Photosmart printer anymore, because the black isn't perfectly black the way I like it.
After the varnish has dried, use black paint for the edges and end off with at least 2 coats of varnish to prevent any leakage of water getting to your paper.
However, if you don't got a good printer, you can always paint it from the back; start with the pupil and the outer edge, then work with the colors of the eye. Benefits of this technique is that it won't discolor that much due to sunlight + you won't have to worry too much about the rain. (It just takes a more steady hand an time to make)
After the varnish has dried, use black paint for the edges and end off with at least 2 coats of varnish to prevent any leakage of water getting to your paper.
However, if you don't got a good printer, you can always paint it from the back; start with the pupil and the outer edge, then work with the colors of the eye. Benefits of this technique is that it won't discolor that much due to sunlight + you won't have to worry too much about the rain. (It just takes a more steady hand an time to make)
Side view of the finished piece. |
Close up of the face, showing the vivid eyes and detail paint work. |
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