Let's build something...

[Neighbor_guy]

It's been awful quiet in here lately.... Whata ya say we put together a build a long and put a few decoys together????

I'm thinking Largemouth Bass this time. I've never made one before, nor can I say I have seen many at the decoy shows. But they inhabit the same areas as pike in the winter, so why not??? 

As with any project you need to start with some reference materials. A little time on the interwebs and I had a picture I was happy with that would show off the profile pretty good. A few more were saved in the archive and printed to show paint scheme.

I tend to prefer decoys that finish around 7" and 10.5" so the pictures are manipulated on the printer to get the size and proportion I am after. 

Patterns are then transferred on card stock. In this case it's half a fruit loops box. Now, because I have swim fins patterns already I did not draw them out, if you don't have a successful swim fin shape, then this is the time to draw them. 

You can then draw out your pattern to your wood blocks. I prefer cedar, in the case of the larger decoys for this project I am using a pine board remnant that Dealer and Dorkfish left behind at my shop a couple winters back. Finders keepers right  I do understand that I could have laid the patterns out differently, had less waste, and possibly gotten a 3rd blank out of each board. But it doesn't show up as nice on camera, I prefer to work with even numbers, and in the end... I didn't want to make 6 decoys.

***Now just a warning***

This build along may stretch out a bit. I have many irons in the fire at the moment and deciding on a whim to make decoys again was just adding another. I am focusing mostl of my carving on finishing a cork and cedar duck decoy rig at the moment. These may even end up as game fair demonstrations. As I am still getting things ready for that event as well. Either way I will keep updating the thread as I move along the process. 

[certified jumbo]

Very good stuff!!

[Neighbor_guy]

The next step in the process is cutting the blocks out on the band saw or scroll saw. Whichever you prefer. 

[Neighbor_guy]

shaped, eyes set in place, gills and mouth marked. Almost ready to burn in scales. 

[mrklean]

Looking good so far

[Neighbor_guy]

Been a while since I updated this one. 

 

scales are burned in

 

and brass scales are cut. 

[Neighbor_guy]

glued upand swinging in primer

[mrklean]

Looking good

[Neighbor_guy]

Base coat on. Painting has begun!

[Neighbor_guy]

 

metalic emerald green is on board

[Neighbor_guy]

 

and now the very deep green is applied. Last of the air brushing. Next will be two coats of sealer, then I will start with the detailing. Everything from here out will be done by hand

[Neighbor_guy]

 

well there it is, finished product. 2-3 additional coats of sealer will be applied prior to use. 

 

I like to proto type with the larger size decoys to learn new techniques. The blending and the back filling of the scales was the learning experience on this one. Now I can scale it down to the size I need to make for the Alexandria show. 

 

Hope you guys enjoyed the process. 

[smurfy]

Nice work big shooter! to bad ya won't be able to use it thru the ice till Christmas!!

[MJ1657]

Very nice work @Neighbor_guy 

[mrklean]

nice job @Neighbor_guy one of my coworker bought a couple decoys from you at the expo this past weekend.  He came up and said he bought a couple decoys and wanted to show me I laughed said I know that guy

[Neighbor_guy]

He must have liked them if he took two of them. Let him know I said thanks and hope he enjoys them. I wasn't at the show, but from the sounds of it they sold a lot more decoys this year than they did last year. 

 

Grand Rapids show this Saturday. Hopefully I have enough decoys to have a presentable table anyways. Won't be the big spread I put out in years past, but it's always a good show.