10-01-2008
It is beginning to look like something now... like a naked bird! At least the head and beak are in place and appear to be correctly proportioned with the other components. You can see that I have replaced the copper rivets with the brass screws to represent the pupils - I feel that this looks better. What about you? If you have any comments, please send them here: Comments I am already beginning to envision how I am going to create the wings and tail section. Thinking of using annealed and hammered copper for the tail feathers, which will lend an ornate appeal to the project and provide a contrast in colors.
A close-up of the detail forming the head, eyes and beak. You can see here that the head is too round in appearance, however, the neck still needs to be formed an blended into the head, which should tone-down the roundness. The beak was formed from a couple of pieces of shaped metal I found lying around the shop. I filled and ground several areas where the beak met the head form in order to create a ridge along the top-center and a taper in all directions - representative of various photos I had observed.
Next: creating and attaching wings, tail and feathers!
Bird goes outside for a little air. This photo illustrates the countless cuts and welds that will be made, in attempt to create the illusion of feathers on this sculpture.