Quikwood Basics:

• Quikwood is a two part resin.  When mixed together you have about 20 minutes of open time before it begins to cure.  It will fully cure in 24 hours.
• Only cut off as much as you need at a time.
• Make sure it is thoroughly mixed together (no swirls of color) or it will not cure.
• Do not wear jewelry especially rings when working with QW.
• Apply Avon Silicone Glove before starting and as needed when working with the QW.
• Use DecoArt Extender to blend QW being careful not to use too much or it will make your QW gummy.
• Before painting wipe surface with baby wipe to remove any oils.
• To help assure paint adhering to QW use DecoArt Adhesion Medium on first coat of paint.

Video on Quikwood Basics:

 

Sculpting Instructions:

Getting Started with the Beak:

Roll Styrofoam egg to flatten the one side.  The flat edge will be the top of the bird and the front of the bird will be the pointy end.

Mix 1/2″ of QW and roll in to a cone about 2″ long. Place on top front of the egg to form the beak.  Begin blending the edges of the cone into the Styrofoam, reshape beak if needed. Since we are going to open beak allow to sit about 10 minutes.

Cutting Beak – Using exacto knife begin cutting beak from tip to back on one side, then repeat on other side. Use blade of knife to lift the mouth open. Reshape if needed and allow to cure.

Tip: Sit egg in lid of QW or an egg box to keep it from getting damaged until it cures.

Tip: Sit egg in lid of QW or an egg box to keep it front getting damage until it cures.

 

Making Tail Feathers:

Cut 1” of QW and divide into 3. Lay parchment paper over pattern. Roll clay into a 3” coil with a point on each end. Begin pressing and patting to fill in the pattern. Place a point on the back end of the feather. Move parchment paper and make next two tail feathers beside the first one. Wrap parchment paper with tail feathers around 8 oz. paint bottle (2” diameter) and secure with rubber band or tape. Allow to cure.

Making wings:

Mix up 3/4” of QW and divide into 2. Divide each piece again into two with one piece being larger than the other. Take the larger part and roll into a pointy cone the size of the larger part of the wing. Lay parchment paper over pattern and press clay to fill pattern. Move parchment paper to the side and roll smaller piece of clay into a pointy cone and press and fill in small feather pattern. Repeat for second set of wings. Wait 5 minutes. Following pattern place smaller feather on top of the larger feather. Reverse the pattern for the second wing. Lay wings on book or box and fold down front of wings. When almost cured pick up wings and give them a little bend. Allow to cure.

Adding Bird Eyes:

The flat side is the top of the bird.  Mix up 1/8” of QW for the eyes. Pull off 2 equal ½” balls.

With the extra clay pull off small pieces of clay and press and blend to the Styrofoam behind the eyes. Use extender to blend onto existing QW. Continue adding QW until you have used the entire piece.

Place balls for eyes above the beak and slightly flatten. Using tool or pencil press in center of each eye. Using pointed tool press two small holes above eyes for antennae on tall bird. Allow to cure.

Adding Legs:

Mix up sliver of QW. The flat side is the top of the bird. Pull off small pieces of clay and press and blend to the Styrofoam behind the eyes. Use extender to blend onto existing QW. Continue adding QW until you have used the entire piece.

Mix up 1/8” of QW for the eyes. Pull off 2 equal ½” balls. Place balls for eyes above the beak and slightly flatten. Using tool or pencil press in center of each eye. Using pointed tool press two small holes above eyes for antennae on tall bird. Allow to cure.

Note:  In the video we are placing the bird in a cart.  We will not being doing that for this project but we still want to keep the legs about 1″ apart.

Attaching Tail:

To add the tail, mix 1/2″ of QW.  Roll in a ball and position at the back of the bird.  Blend edges onto the bird.  Add the middle tail feather and place in center. Blend QW onto top and bottom of feather.  Then add next feathers to each side and a little lower than center feather.   Push clay against feathers. The middle feather should be higher than the side feathers. Make any final adjustments.   When satisfied with shape of tail, shape the QW the feathers are inserted in, and blend out if needed. Stand bird face down in a cup to keep the tail upright. Allow to cure.

Note: tail should line up with the legs, not the head since the head is tilted to the side.

 

Adding Wings:

Mix up 1/8” of QW and divide into 2. Pull off small pieces of clay and press and blend the clay behind the wings on each side of the bird. Note: the one wing will be higher than the other and they will line up with the tilt of the body.

Mix up ¼” of QW and divide in 2. Roll into two balls and place on each side where you want the wings. They are a little below the eyes and back from the beak. Blend edges of each ball. Place wings on each ball. The small wing should be on the top. Blend clay to the back of the wing. Position wings the way you want them and blend any excess clay in front of wings out onto the bird. Allow to cure.

 

 

Adding Flowers, Mat and Perch to house:

Mix ¼” of QW and divide into two. Roll one piece into ball and then slightly flatten on a piece of parchment paper. Using a blade tool pull from outside in to make the petals. Lay on house and then press finger in center. Pinch on each petal to pull up. Divide remaining clay in two with one piece larger than the other. Roll first piece into a ball and position on house, gently flatten and then press in center. Repeat for other flower.

Mix another ¼” of QW pull off small piece of clay and roll into a ball and place in center of largest flower. Pull off two more smaller balls and place in center of other flowers.   Pull off small ball of clay and roll into a ball than a cone to form a leaf, position on house. Continue making leaves, then pull off small balls of clay to make filler flowers and position between leaves and flowers. Allow to cure.

To make welcome mat mix ½” of QW and shape into a rectangle mat about 1” x 1 ¾”. Position in front of door and insert end of perch into clay. Allow to cure.

Adding Star Feet:

Large Bird – Mix up ½” of QW and pinch between fingers to flatten. Then lay on parchment paper and flatten with the palm of your hand. Using large star clay cutter cut one large stars, reroll excess, press and flatten and cut second star. Use excess clay to cover any areas on bird that are still Styrofoam. After attaching feet mix up more clay if needed and finish covering Styrofoam.

Three of the points will be the toes of the bird. While on parchment paper pinch three points and pull two towards center. Pick up and lay on front of foot. Wrap other two points around the back and blend them up the leg. Reposition toes if needed.

 

Attaching bird to roof and adding Feet:

Trim bottom of dowels on an angle.   Mix ¼” of QW and divide into two. Wrap one piece into a 1” coil and wrap around foot. Shape over foot and blend excess up leg. Repeat for other foot. Add some super glue on part of foot that will be against roof. Position in place making sure the bird is where you want it. Hold in place until it cures.

Mix up1/8” of QW and pinch between fingers to flatten. Then lay on parchment paper and flatten with the palm of your hand. Using medium star clay cutter cut one star, reroll excess, press and flatten and cut second star. Three of the points will be the toes of the bird. While on parchment paper pinch three points and pull two towards center. Pick up and lay on front of foot. Blend other two points up on the foot and blend them up the foot/ leg. Reposition toes if needed. Repeat for other foot. Allow to cure.