eBirdseed.com Wild Bird Feeding Blog

After the last entry, (Night Terrors and Flying Things in the Dark), I thought I might make a bit of a departure away from birds for just a bit, and touch upon a bedrock design consideration -- the 'Golden Ratio'. (Truth be told, if you have any interest in bird photography, bird carving, bird paintings, etc, this is all still valuable, so you might want to read on anyway.)

So what is the Golden Ratio? Well, it's arguably the the most comfortable ratio of image objects (typically height v. width) for the human eye. That ratio is usually about 1.6:1. Just look at your average book... if you multiply the bottom width by about 1.6, you'll end up with the page height. (To really get wonky, you make the ratio of the short element compared to the long element equal that of the ratio of the long element to the totality of the design itself, which is what I did below.) So, anywho... I faced that dilemma in this Shaker clock design...

Yeah... If Algebra ain't your thing, the numbers above probably don't mean too much; but the bottom line is that the following is true: 'short is to long as long is to total.' The eye can feel the balance as it slides down from the clock face to the pendulum bob and lands squarely on the bottom as if it were a perfect funnel.

As it looks so far (and I fuss with the details of the door...)

This may sound esoteric and unrelated to birds, but it isn't. There's a reason why we're drawn to birds and carvings and all the rest -- the proportions are just right. Do this... open up your 'Sibley Guide to Birds' to any page. Look at the layout and balance... Say no more...

See you by those harmonic feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So here's the challenge -- put to design use the big ol' wooden clamp pictured below. (Because of its size, the jaws are so thick that the tightening screws can't cant much, and the end result is a tool that can only be snugged a quarter of an inch at a time. Ouch... My guess is that this beast and his brethren was slowly crushed around the base of some fixed machine and left there.)

So... From a design standpoint, how do we make this work in the dining area beside the hutch and farm table? Well, visually, there is a gaping hole to both the left and right of the hutch. We were thinking of turning the clamp into one of a non-identical duet of "presences" (man how I hate that word) beside the hutch. This might just work as a set of shelves for bird carvings, etc. Here it is (not in place) with a smaller handscrew, a couple of boat models and a bird carving...

And going even more with the bird motif...

Finally, this gives you a better perspective of the clamp and birds without being hoisted into place. The offset will be a Shaker tall clock and perhaps a narrow ship print to the right of the hutch...

Of course, the old bugaboos of light and shadow, 'color weight', and shape ratio, never go away... But maybe... Just maybe... We're getting there...

By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

More summer joy...

Obviously, the shot above is of a Ruby-throat -- beautiful thing. Note the Monarda from which it is drinking... (More on that in just a bit...) Next, we've got yet another batch of colorful bird carvings...

Sorry for the small size, but if you squint, you can probably make out the following from left to right...

• Indigo Bunting
• Cardinal
• Downy Woodpecker
• Wren
• Goldfinch
• Kingfisher
• Painted Bunting
• Yellow Warbler

Just to give you folks who either don't collect bird carvings, or aren't from the Cape Cod area... The artisan who created these is F. Schmelke -- a local talent who's known for good renditions at exceptional prices. Every time Mrs. CCA happens upon Mr. Schmelke in a local crafts fair, she buys several of his carvings at a time. Word to the wise...

Finally, about that Monarda... If you carefully look back up to that last picture, in the middle... That's the hummingbird carving (it's tough to see) I've been working on with the organza wings cut to length but not shape... I think we can get a silk flower and secure the Ruby's beak in it for a most interesting display piece...

'Till next time, see you by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 3:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm going to continue with the theme of bird carving, but in a sort of careening approach... First, I'll present yet again another fish carving photo...

Not bad... Not bad... You can see movement in the twisted creature. I think the translucent tail fin will become a recurring element in most all fins... Time and paint will tell the final story. Keep in mind that fins and feathers aren't all that far apart.

Now... Back to that "careening" style... As I started carving birds and fish, I went way, way back to my old days as a cabinet maker and antique restorer... I read a remarkable book by E.J. Tangerman called "Design and Figure Carving". In it, the author lays out all sorts of carving styles (chip, inlay, stamp, etc.) But for me, he also described something far more important - the elements of style themselves. Here are some of my notes:

• Before any real work can begin, white boards and drawings typically help.
• Careful development of the most important theme needs to be considered.
• Major and minor design elements need to be included... There should only be one major design element, and it should reflect the theme (or purpose) of the work.
• Carefully balance colors, lighting, shades, and perspectives. "Cool" is never harsh on the eyes.
• One of the universal proportions is apx. 5/8 or the "Golden Section". Check out leaves, credit cards, business cards, greeting cards, cupboard doors, etc., etc., etc.
• It may be necessary to subdivide a work into sections to maintain the proportionality mentioned above.
• Sometimes, less is best... Look at Shaker furniture

See you by the workbench...

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Alright, if the title of this post didn't say it all, let me be clear... I haven't carved any birds before... In fact, all I've ever carved are two fish decoys, and neither of those are done yet. But optimism springs eternal, and here we go...

1. So, what's the plan of attack? Well, I could break out the old jacknife and whittle away, but previous such attempts have ended in "birds" with shapes remarkably similar to Ozzie Osborne... No, there has to be a better way, and there is. First, gather a decent set of tools...
   

   We're basically talking about an old electric scroll saw, a Dremel, and a few hand tools. Throw in some sandpaper and that takes care of that.

2. But where to actually begin? (I've described much of this before, but a rehash can't hurt...) After you have your tools secured, pick a subject and think "head and torso". A hummingbird sounds good to me! The question then becomes, "How do I make a recognizable, curvey three-dimensional object spring forth from a boxy stick of wood?" I'm going to fall back on the old boatbuilding technique of working from the plan view (back image), and the profile view (side image). (Granted that there's a tad more involved with building boats, but at least that should give you some starting point.) More descriptively, I'm going to start with a scrap 1" X 1" X 1' soft-wood blank and outline the plan view on one surface, and the profile on an adjacent side. Obviously, I'll need to align the two views appropriately (hence avoiding "The Ozzie Effect"), but so far so good...
   

   (Note that I used the photos above to rough the views.)

3. Next comes the OMG step. Cut 95% of each of the two views with the saw set at 90 degrees. Don't freak because nothing makes sense. It will when you finish the cuts, and the whole thing falls apart....

4. Break out the Dremel! If you thought you knew birds before, you might be surprised. As you sand and form your bird, you'll probably be faced with all sorts of question involving shape, movement, color, light, background, etc... This is where the "Arteest" comes out. Don't worry about the wings, beak, paint, etc. right now... Just get the torso roughed...
   

   My little hummingbird is in the center. And that leads us to the last step on this windy night.

5. Don't get frustrated if your results turn out poorly. (I'm leading that parade...) People get so discouraged so easily nowadays... You've got to do a few face plants before you ice dance. In my case, I'll put a beak on the hummer, wings, some paint, and she'll almost be recognizable - something that I could give to a forgiving loved one... Besides, at least it won't look like it's fronting Black Sabbath...

See you by the sawdust and the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 9:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)