:Many thanks Brian.....great carving job....btw...also...what woods did you use in your boat?
Bob

he dog was a mystery mix (maybe cocker spaniel and boarder collie).

: I carved the figurehead out of basswood.

: I used drawings of a dog's skull form a book of animal anatomy for artists as
: a pattern, tracing the top view and side view onto a block of basswood.

: I then cut out the rough form on a bandsaw.

: I carved it using gouges (and a dremel tool on the eyes.)

: I cut it cross sectionally just in front of the ears and cut the back half of
: the head up the middle.

: Using a contour gauge to measure, I carved out recesse in the back to pieces
: to match the bow.

: I glued the three pieces back together using epoxy.

: I painted the whole head using epoxy mixed with amber dye, and then the black
: parts with epoxy mixed with black pigment. Epoxy runs faster when dye and
: pigment are added.

: I covered the cavity with thickened black epoxy (cabosil and black pigment)
: and slid it over the bow. Clamps weren't necessary.

: Two coats ov Captains Spar varnish on the head finished it.