The Harlequin Duck Drake has certainly one of the more spectacular color schemes among waterfowl. Overlaying a cool, bluish-grey background are distinctive white markings outlined with black. There are also very warm, complementary colors to provide balance and enhance the look of the bird. For the painter of this bird there are many opportunites to accent dimension using highlight and shadow.

In this session the students will pre-carve their bird at home with directon from Pat Godin who will provide captoned images on a Flash Drive showing the entire process. For 7 days in the studio Pat will demonstrate the logical paintng process showing paint mixtures and a number of blending techniques. A lot of emphasis will be on analyzing the carved shapes and then mixing light and dark values with tints of warm and cool tones to accent those shapes. The objective will be to make the surface "glow" using the acrylic paint. Methods of detailing the surface will also be explored. To view Pat's art and items available go to www.godinart.com.

Please join the nine times Ward World Champion and twenty-two times Best in Masters award in doing a Life-size Brown Thrasher out of tupelo wood. The Brown Thrasher is a beautiful elegant bird with long tail feathers and very attractive markings on the under side and the above upper side has a very warm russet color that will offer a enjoyable painting experience. The bird will be painted in oil paint however you can paint with acrylics if you prefer. The pose will be with an open mouth. Feather splits will be burned in along with the major feather shafts. Some feathers will be undercut. Gary has a very unique way of describing contour feathers with feather formers. This technique provides a very consistent textured surface to paint on. This bird will be carved out of one piece of wood. Combination stoning and texturing will be used. Topics stressed will include feather layout, texturing, and burning. Students should bring reference photos to class. There will be some wood bases available for purchase. For anyone who is interested, there will be a complementary pose available for purchase. Depending on skill level, carvers can carve both birds as far as they want until time to paint, at which point they will paint the class bird.

Gary will focus on preparing the surface for painting, mixing colors, oil painting which will include wet on wet and wet on dry blending techniques, and soft translucent painting techniques. Gary will be using acrylics as well as oils in painting this bird with more in depth painting. You can be an oil or acrylic painter to take this class. To get feather patterns and their richness, translucency or softness, Gary complements actual textures from his burning tools with the illusion of highlights and shadows with oil pigments. He shows you how to play warm and cool colors against each other to suggest feathers under feathers and to mass in color and create details from negative space.

Gary will start the seminar doing a 2-day habitat class for the Life-size Brown Thrasher. You will learn a unique way of making songbird feet on habitat. Many people struggle with feet making. This will be a great learning experience for creating accurate well-done feet. A few different techniques will be demonstrated for making the unique habitat in which you would portray and find this bird. This way you the student will know how you are going to present your carving once complete. To view Gary's art go to www.garyeigenberger.com. Just a reminder that there will be no video or phone taping, recording, etc. of any kind allowed.

This two-part class will demonstrate the carving of a Hen Canvasback in the modern contemporary decoy. Part one of the class will demonstrate the carving of this hen canvasback. Students will be provided all necessary videos and photos to show the step by step process for the carving. A wood blank, glass eyes, study bill, and reference photos will be provided to each student. All students will need to have this carving completed for part two of the in person class. In part two Michael will demonstrate and teach you the painting in detail using oils. He will show you techniques such as wet blending, color layering, and texturing techniques to bring life to your carvings. A list of necessary supplies will be provided.
To view Mike's art, eyes, and other items available go to www.mrbdecoys.com.