Please email any comments or suggestions you may have in regards to this lesson to tmcmahon@auracom.com
Lesson Title: Introduction to Decoy Carving (using power tools)
| Subject Area : Art or Ind. Arts | Grade or age: Grade 11-12 |
Type of Presentation: Demo and Lecture
Class Arrangement: horseshoe formation around table, bandsaw and drill press
Performance Objectives, The student will be able to:
Materials and Equipment:
| Content Outline (Steps): | Activity Details, Notes, Links |
| Show a finished duck. Show a partially cut duck to point out that the head and body are separate pieces. | Need Finished decoy |
| Main steps
: Show steps on the board and then demonstrate 1. Select a pattern and square it.(The pattern provided has already been squared). Mark where the head is to be cut off, Mark the center of the neck on both the head and the body side views. Cut out the body patterns with scissors. Trace the side-body pattern to the wood so that the square base area at the bottom of the duck lines up with the bottom edge of the wood.(The square base will be removed later) |
Handout pattern |
| 2. Mark a center line on the top of the wood. line up the top-body pattern on the center line. It MUST be lined up perfectly with the side-body pattern (see pattern hand-out). Trace the top-body pattern. | Refer to pattern handout |
| 3. Mark the center location for the dowel which holds the head on. Center the hole in the middle of the neck. Drill the hole to about halfway into the body using the drill press. | Move to drillpress.need key,drill |
| 4. Adjust the bandsaw
to the correct height to cut out the top view. DO NOT cut
the scrap pieces completely off. Otherwise the side view
will be gone. Cut out the side view and remove all scrap
pieces. Review safety. Remove the square base. 5. Repeat the above steps for the body to layout and cut the head. Be sure to drill the dowel hole into the head before beginning to cut either view.The cut line to connect the head to the body should be cut next. 6. Cut the dowel so that it is long enough to go both into the head and into the body.(the length will very according to what scale you make the duck). Glue the dowel into the head, apply glue to the body neck area and dowel hole. Put the head onto the body but before the glue sets, turn the head slightly to one side. Clamp and allow to dry. |
Move to bandsaw |
| 7. Use the power
carving tool to rough shape the excess wood. Hand sand to
a smooth finish and paint, or choose to detail the duck
with wood burning, carving, and painting. Note that since
this duck was created in two pieces, the joint on the
neck may show unless painted. If the duck was to be
stained and varnished a one piece pattern would be
better. 8. Students select pattern and begin work. |
Suggested book: Painting Duck Decoys, Anthony Hillman, Dover Publishing ISBN 0-486-24810-0 |
Closure:
Reinforce fact that all art consists of simple steps that will produce good work when followed closely. Encourage students to strive for accurate work. Students can now make informed choices when selecting the pattern.
Follow-up and Evaluation:
Students will be expected to create a decoy. Evaluation will be based on: 1. The decoy (accuracy,shaping, painting) 2. Proper use of all tools and equipment involved.
Please email any comments or suggestions you may have in regards to this lesson to tmcmahon@auracom.com
