A Quick Update
I know that this isn’t the greatest of photos, but I needed to show off how good Buford is looking now that the base is near complete and he’s been fastened and glued in place. A few items to finish that I’m still not satisfied with…I want to tone down the silver parts with a bit of Payne’s Grey, I have some fake nails to make up for the posts and rails, and…
…I hate to admit it but my rope experiment failed miserably. The paint just did not adhere to the wire that I used. So, it’s back to the drawing board but I’ll get that licked this week.
tributesinwood 
Sorry to hear your rope didn’t work out. I use the pre-twisted galvanized wire, I tihnk it’s 5 strands and I take off two. Using that you don’t run the risk of an uneven twist. Once it’s retwisted to the way I like I dip it in gun bluing and when dry spray it with a fixer to set that brown stuff that the bluing causes. Then I thread it in the carving if necessary and coil it the way I want and only then paint it with an acrylic craft color…mudstone or a dirty grey works good. A little highlighting with a light tan and a quick spray with that Testors DulCoat finishes it off. Have never had any paint come off.
You really are doing a great job on those bassets.
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I appreciate the note, Lynn. I should have known better, but even after I primed the wire, the enamel wouldn’t stick. Thanks for the tip about the gun bluing…I’ll give that a try. You’ll recognize the stance on this little Basset from one of your early carvings that I really liked. Thanks, Mark.
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Buford looks fabulous Mark,stunning work….that is one cool cowboy 🙂
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He is looking really good! What about using a real twine as the base for your rope? Epoxy that to stiffen it then paint it like you want. Would that work?
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Thanks Lynne. He’s looking cool for sure…when you get in his line of sight, he’s a bit intimidating!
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Cheryl, that’s not a bad idea at all. I’m trying something a bit different right now and if that doesn’t work I may just pick up on your idea. I do want to include a coil of rope somehow as it will really look good with this particular carving.
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