How to Make an Outdoor Wood Coot

Choose a wooden block. The harder the wood, the more difficult it will be to carve, but the more durable it will be during many seasons of outdoor use. Try to choose a light-colored wood, as this will give you more flexibility in terms of the color of your coot at the end, without having to add layers and layers of paint to it.

Find reference photos. Depending on what you are trying to carve (a coot taking off, floating, walking, etc.) you̵7;ll need to find different kinds of photos. Find enough to meet your needs, but realize that you̵7;ll have to use your own imagination and skill for some parts. There is only so much that a photo can tell you when you are trying to sculpt a model of the real thing.

Begin carving. Cut out the rough shape of the coot without any detail first. This will help you get a sense of scale, and will help to keep you from messing it up and having to start over. Once you have the rough shape all set, carve in details. Depending on your skill level and specific project, this can include feathers, eyes, legs, webbing, etc. It̵7;s all up to you at this point. Just remember to draw from your reference pictures as often as possible to get an accurate wooden sculpture.

Sand your coot. This step is optional and is not recommended in all cases. Sanding will create a smoother surface on your coot, which may not be the look you want. Decide if you want to sand, and how much, off your wood coot before you commit to it and ruin the aesthetic you were looking for.

Paint the model. Depending on how dark the wood is, you may want to add a few coats of white paint. This will help to separate the color of the wood from the color that you paint on. This is not so important for the body of the coot, but the face and bill are a very light color so keeping it light will be essential. Use an outdoor paint, or seal the paint with an outdoor sealer after you̵7;ve finished to keep the coot looking pristine for years.