Bluebill Basics, Part One

When I was asked to carve a scaup for this issue, my thoughts quickly gravitated toward a pose with a relaxed attitude, which is one of my favorites to carve. I convey this attitude through a pattern with a low head and side-by-side primary feathers. This pose allows me to carve from a single piece of wood and not have to deal with a seam. Carving from a single piece of wood does take a little longer, in my experience, and the process feels more like sculpturing versus carving.