by Shara Reiner & Jane Allen
Sculpting Instructions
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.
Video on Quikwood Basics:
Getting Started with the Beak
Roll 2 1/2″ 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. Cut 1/8″ of QW and roll in to a cone about 1 1/4″ long. Place on top front of the egg to form the beak. Begin blending the QW into the Styrofoam, beak will now be about 1″ long. Shape as desired and allow to cure. Repeat for other bird.
Tip: Sit egg in lid of QW to keep it front getting damage until it cures.
Video for Getting Started with the Beak:
Adding Feet and Legs:
Insert dowels about 1/2″ in bottom of bird for legs. Think about the position of the legs. They will stand best if legs are a little apart and one leg is in front of the other.
Cut 1/4″ of QW and divide in 2. Roll into a coil about 1″ long. Wrap around top of leg. Blend top into Styrofoam. Blend and shape bottom of leg. Do not blend onto dowel.
Stand bird on parchment paper and put a mark for the bottom of each leg. Cut 1/4″ of QW and divide in two, then divide each piece in three. To make the feet roll three cones about 3/4″ – 1″ long. Position together to make feet, pressing the largest parts together. Place back center of foot over mark. Insert dowels into feet. Prop if needed. Allow to cure.
Cut 1/8″ of QW and divide in 2. Roll into a coil about 1″ long and wrap around top of foot. Using extender blend clay onto foot and then onto dowel. You will have a fat foot that blends into a skinny leg.
Note: To make it easier I have changed the order of creating and attaching the feet and legs. The video and the directions are in the correct order.
Video for Adding Feet and Legs:
Adding Tail Feathers
Cut 1/4″ of QW and divide into 3. Roll into a coil about 1 1/2″ long. Put extender on your hand and flatten coils, then use finger to shape making the backend a little pointy. Let them sit for about ten minutes, then curl them and let them lay on their side. You can either have them curl up or down. Repeat for second bird. Let them cure.
To add the tail cut 1/4″ of QW. Roll in a ball and position at the back of the bird. Blend edges into the bird. Add the middle tail feather and place in center, Blend QW onto feather. Then add next feather and blend. Repeat for the third feather. Use brush to blend QW between feathers. Make any final adjustments by pushing or pulling out feathers and moving up and down. When satisfied shape the QW the feathers are inserted in, and blend out if needed.
Video for adding tail feathers:
Covering with QW:
Mix up 1/8″ of QW and pick off a small piece and flatten with fingers, then lay on Styrofoam areas of bird. Blend with extender. Continue working until the entire bird is covered. Mix up more QW as needed.
Note – you might want to skip ahead to the video for adding the eyes so that you can insert the holes for the wire antenna while the clay is wet, otherwise you will need to drill the holes for the wire
Video for covering bird with QW:
Adding Wings:
For bird with curled down tail cut 3/8″ of QW and divide into four. Spray scuplty leaf mold with a little spray oil. Roll cone shape and then press into mold using largest lined petal. Pull out of mold and position for bottom section of wing on side of bird. Use Super Glue Gel if needed. Repeat and add top of wing. Repeat for other side. Reposition if needed. Pull out tips of wings.
For the bird with the curled up tail cut 1/4″ of QW and divide into four. Roll each piece into a ball and then into a fat cone about 3/4″ long. Flatten slightly with fingers. Position top wing on each side and then add bottom wing. Allow to cure.
Video for adding wings:
Adding Eyes and finishing birds:
Cut a sliver of QW and pull off two balls of clay about 1/4″. Place behind nose and slightly press down on them. Using tool or pencil place hole in center of each eye. Repeat for other bird.
While clay is still wet press pointy tool behind eyes in two places so that you can insert wire later.
If your birds are not standing straight add a little clay to bottom of the feet to adjust them. Blend in place.
Video for finishing birds: