Johan Scherft's Firecrests (Xmas Love Birds!)

[airdave]

So, that "all things Birds" thread inspired me to try my hand at some of Johan Scherft's models
and
I needed a Xmas gift idea for me Mum, so...

papercraft Johan Scherft

I started with a Firecrest.
I did it with 65lb cardstock (which I had no real trouble with),
and I enlarged to almost fit the page.
It printed a little smaller than it should be (about 80%).

I decided to print the female (or male?) at proper scale (so, about 20% bigger).
But to be honest, I think its still too small.
I also tried building the second Bird with normal paper (25lb)
which I didn't enjoy as much as with the cardstock.

I'm happy with the end result.
Everything turned out okay, except I had the most trouble dealing
with the seams on their heads. I just couldn't hide them.

I notice that Johan does a fair bit of paint touchups...which I have no problem with...
but that would definitely have helped me hide some of the seams.






I decided to make a mount for both Birds...sort of a "lovebirds" display.

The wooden plaque is from Michaels Craft Store ($1.89)...and I wiped it down with
some ancient woodstain, and gave it two coats of low gloss Krylon clear.

The Branch is cardstock tubes...printed first with wood textures, then cut and rolled into narrow tubes.
Then I cut them up and glued a few pieces together and covered
all the seams and paper edges with glue and bits of torn printed wood paper.

Drilled a hole in the Plaque and glued the branch in place.






Then I fitted the two Birds...
that was tricky.
The cardstock built Firecrest was easier to deal with even though it was smaller
since the card toes were less floppy and bendy.
Easier to keep them in the right place while gluing.

For the paper bird I ended up slopping CA glue all over just to make it quick.

I think the final result is acceptable and I know my bird-lovin' Mother will like it.

I also made a paper nameplate for the rear that credits the Designer.

[elliott]

Awwww, how cute. I'll bet your Mother will love it.

[jleslie48]

came out great.

can you post the links to the models?

[KCStephens]

Very nice indeed, Dave.
Hummm. I Twat I saw a Puddycat!

[airdave]

I added the link to Johan's Birdcraft page.

[tochiro]

Marvellous airdave!

[Tapcho]

Good build Dave and I'll know your mother will appreciate the gift. I've tried two of those couple of months ago and they was a joyous build. I'm hoping to able to save some extra monetary resources to be able to buy Johan's book.

Tappi

[MacSongLi]

Great job Dave, very nice work,

I did one of the firecrests for my grandmother and she loved its.

Gary

[birder]

Nice one Dave

[JohnM]

Very good build and presentation Dave.

I too have found card to be more workable than paper, even on these small ones.

Johan's birds can often be (slightly) improved by removing the tabs and butt joining with a paper tape, but that's easier said than done on the little ones.

If you push a spit-wet finger inside the head/chest and burnish the outside with something hard and smooth, the peaks and seams can be ironed flatter. I use the polished back of a diamond nail file, the flip of which is useful for de-burring or thinning edges. Be careful not to get the card too damp though, as it can start to de-laminate or the ink can run.

And, as you've found, a drop of CA glue, especially around the legs, will make them much stronger and easier to mount unsupported.

Keep on snippin' ... Johnny.