Antique-Style Duck Decoys: Contemporary Techniques to Carve and Paint in the Folk Art Tradition (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Reference materials can come in a variety of forms: Photographs, study skins, study casts, and your own field notes are just a few of the..." (more)
Key Phrases: judge your colors, upper rump, antiquing process, Antique-Style Duck Decoys, Loew Cornell (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

For decoy enthusiasts and collectors who want to replicate the grace, flow, and imperfections found in antique duck decoys, this resource presents the process for carving the traditional, streamlined wood replicas. Chapters focus on every aspect of this classic art form—from selecting the proper wood and cutting out the head and eyes to body surface and tail detail. Additional sections offer tips on the painting of decoys, including information on selecting a color palette, blending paint lines, mixing paints, glazing, and aging by employing both ding-and-dent technology and water- and heat-stress methods.

About the Author

Tom Matus is an award-winning woodcarving artist and an instructor and judge for the Ward World Champion Wildfowl Carving Competition. He is the author of Duck Decoys: Classic Carving Projects Made Easy. He lives in Boise, Idaho.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565232984
• ISBN-13: 978-1565232983
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #321,889 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Book by a Master, January 14, 2007

By	S. Froelich "Wood Junkie" (Eagan, MN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After buying and trying Tom's first book. I was amazed that in the end, I had a decoy I could be proud of; all on my first try. I am not a stranger to woodworking so having a band saw and drill press helps, but you can always find a friend with one or order roughed out blanks on the internet. This book is a great opportunity to try another style of decoy. It is not a follow-on but stands independantly with start to finish photos and detail. The spring Woodcarving Illustrated has a companion Wood Duck Hen to the book's feature Drake. After talking with Tom Matus via web ring, the first thing I learned was this is art, not science. Variations are okay and his sketches are by hand. My first duck sits on my mantle, but it is water ready. That is the goal by the way. Nothing prouder than hunting over your own "rig"

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Antique-style duck decoys, March 12, 2007

By	J. Mallory "Carver" (Calais , Maine) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Another great book by Tom Matus. I finished both projects in the book and I'am very pleased with the results. The book has great pictures and clear instructions. Tom tells you how to carve, paint and antique birds. The wood duck was a hard paint job for me but the end result was worth it. Thanks J. Mallory

5.0 out of 5 stars Wood Duck Carvings, September 28, 2009

By	gHarvey USA "gHarvey" (Georgia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

Very good book to help me in carving ducks. Some great info on how to do different ways of carving.