Raven (Raving?) Musings...

So... how did I get here? (the process in review)

Like all of my paper maché critters...their humble beginnings 

can be traced back to recycling bins and masking tape.

Lots of masking tape!

"The Keeper of the Keys" has a newspaper and brown bag

body armature wrapped with galvanized wire (16 gauge)

and masking tape.  Did I mention... lots of masking tape?

His head will be built-up over a reclaimed Styrofoam ball.

For the the first 3 layers of his wings, I used light-weight 

recycled chip board, cut in shapes suggesting feathers.

After adhering each piece to his body with hot glue, 

they were painted with a coat of white gesso.

His beak is also chip board and masking tape. 

The eyes are 10mm black glass beads, resting in paper clay sockets. 

Shaping galvanized wire into individual "feathers"... a second layer was added and then covered with hand towel papers and watered down wood glue. 

After completely drying, they were painted with white gesso.

The tail feathers are created using the same materials as the wings.

This third and final layer of "feathers" was made by wrapping 

Osnaburg fabric around some wire and adhering it with

watered down wood glue. Small, hand-torn pieces of fabric

were also added to the upper part of the wings using the wood glue. 

These additional feathers will be painted with white gesso.

The wire feet were wrapped in masking tape and then covered

with small strips of fabric dipped in wood glue.  

The talons are sculpted using paper clay.

What's next? 

The head, back and belly will be covered with several layers 

of torn paper hand towels, soaked in paper maché paste.

When dry... I will apply heavy modeling paste to mimic more feathers

and add texture and some further detail. 

Thanks for stopping by... stay well, be blessed! Daryle