In this post, you will learn tips on using QuikWood and creating clay features to make a chicken gourd cute.
QuikWood is excellent for working with gourds. I prefer using it as a clay alternative to epoxy for sculpture because it is more affordable. Don’t worry about leaving fingerprints on the clay; you can sand it down before painting. Additionally, you can carve it and create holes in it as well. Covering your work area with parchment paper is a good idea since the material tends to stick to surfaces and can be difficult to remove.
Using the Package Efficiently
Once you have removed the outer wrapper, take out the white circle from the end and set it aside for later use. Carefully tear the clear wrapping just enough to cut off a small piece of clay, using an X-acto knife for best results.
After cutting off the desired amount, reseal the package with the clear wrapping and replace the white paper circle over the end. Keep the package wrapped while you work to prevent the remaining clay
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This epoxy wood filler features two colors. Your goal is to knead small pieces of clay until the two colors are thoroughly combined.
Knead the clay well until it becomes warm and reaches an even color. You have 10 to 15 minutes to work with it before it begins to dry.
I keep this clay on hand for filling holes in my gourds. Our demonstrator starts making her little chicks by carefully filing the tiny holes. After filling the holes, allow the clay to dry completely, and then sand it smooth.
Yevette will demonstrate how to create the essential parts of a chicken using small gourds. She will show you her technique for working with clay and how she carefully applies it to the gourd. However, you might want to take on something more elaborate. To gather ideas, consider looking at authentic images of chickens or searching for “gourd chickens” online. Later in this post, we will watch another artist as they create a chicken using a large gourd and explore more intricate forms of the essential components we are currently discussing
Step 1. Creating the feet
Cut off enough clay to create the feet and knead it. Make a shape that looks like a fat teardrop.
Next, cut the fat end to create the toes. Now grab each one, twist it a bit, and prod until it looks like toes- don’t twist it too much. You don’t want to break the wing.
Setting the gourd on top of the QuikWood will make it nice and flat. Next, carefully separate the feet, giving your chick two feet
Step 2. Creating the wings
Start by taking a piece of clay and kneading it to make two wings. Shape the clay into a teardrop form. Next, attach each wing to the side of the gourd by pressing it against the surface, ensuring that the back of the wing remains detached. This will give the appearance of the wings flipping. Repeat this process on the other side of the gourd.
Step 3. Creating the Wattle
Create a teardrop shape like the feet and cut it into three pieces. The wide part faces down, and the skinny end will go up under the beak.
Step 4. Creating the Comb
Start by making the comb that will sit on top of her head. Begin with a small piece of kneaded clay, roughly the size of a marble, and roll it into a circle. Next, elongate this shape and flatten the top. Finally, place the comb on her head, pressing it down gently to ensure it adheres securely.
Cut into the comb and give each section a little twist.
Step 5. Creating The Eyeballs
These chicks have tiny circles for eyes. I suggest you find a printout of cartoon eyes on the Internet to inspire you.
Now watch the video
Fun, funky, and fabulous chickens
Let’s watch another artist create a larger chicken with more intricate details. Our artist, Tahta Codisi, is from Turkey, and her video includes subtitles, but her steps are easy to follow.
This time, she is working on a large gourd and wants the chicken positioned on its back, with its feet in the air, as its belly serves up some eggs for breakfast!
You can start by cleaning and cutting the gourd. Next, she used white plaster to form the base. Then sanded it to make it smooth. This gourd will be positioned on its back with its feet in the air!
Step 1. Creating the feet
Create the feet shape using cut wire, creating the toes.
Step 2.
Cover the feet with masking tape to give it volume.
Step 3.
Cover the form with the QuikWood, twisting the toes.
Step 4.
Let them dry.
Step 5.
Now, she adds a paper ball over the top wire of the leg, covers it with clay, and paints it.
The Beak and Waddle and Eyes
Her beak is a piece of clay shaped like a date seed cut apart, and the inside is clean.
This image shows the eye shapes and the three beak pieces that have been painted and are ready for attachment.
Tahta’s chicken eyes are essential to this chicken, so they are large round pieces of clay covered with a clay eyelid. After painting white, she added a black circle to the center.
How you set the eyes on the face will change its expression. Try several different angles before gluing them on.
The Waddle
Notice that the features are marked on the unpainted gourd; the waddle is heart-shaped, cut, and turned upside down.
Here are all the features painted, and the body has the base coat of paint ready to attach the features.
Use any good glue to adhere to the features and let them dry 24 hours before handling the gourd agin.
The Wings
The wings are cut from stiff paper, and a wire is glued to the back.
Holes are pierced into the side of the gourd opening. The wing is then inserted, and the wire is twisted until secure, allowing it to rotate over the opening in the bird’s body.
.Once the wings are attached, raffia and eggs can be added to complete the chicken. You can finish it with a clear coat or a transparent glaze of varnish. Don’t forget to sign the bottom of your chicken!
Now, watch her create her chicken.
Here are some chickens to inspire you!
If you are new to working with QuikWood, start by creating a small chick project to build your confidence. Next, research images of beaks, eyes, and combs. You might find it helpful to sketch a few faces with varying sizes of features. Once you feel more comfortable, you can try making a larger chicken, which will allow you to explore your skills further. The good news is that these projects sell well and make great gifts. Consider giving each chicken a distinct personality or profession to enhance its appeal.
