Start with a slab frozen to a footer

We carve at room temperature

(this slab tempered for about 1 hour)

The template paper sticks right to the melting ice

Click here to learn 4 methods of making templates

Using a tracing bit, & die grinder

draw through the paper

After the complete design is traced onto the ice remove the template

Using a chainsaw, Cut away all of the ice to create

a "Cookie Cutter" of the sculpture

(Be sure to cut out at 90 degrees)

More "Cookie Cutter"

The finished "Cookie Cutter"

Using a Bullet Burr 125,

Round the areas that your chainsaw

would not allow you to get to

Next  carve in the reference lines

Here I cut in lines to define the layers of feathers

(still using the bullet burr 125)

Using a long 1/4" End Mill bit,

 I draw the lines between the wings in deep

Using a chainsaw

Angle the feathers back, so it looks like they could overlap

Then shape the back of the wing.  Here is a good place to curve the ice.  This will make the wing look more natural, rather than stiff.

Using a pistol grip sander,

Sand all of the surfaces that are to be smooth

I like to leave the long feathers plain, others like to detail them heavily

Using a Rotary Knife,

Detail the short feathers

Notice that about 15 minutes went by (that included photography & a phone call). 

Precise efficient movements based on experience coupled with the right tools make you faster. 

Finished Wing, after spraying with a hose