Feather Texture with a Stone

The blue ceramic stone that I use for texturing is a small, straight cylinder. The top is flat
with a sharp edge (I keep it sharp, as I work, by touching it to a dressing stone while it is still spinning)
I like to use the stone on the outer edges of the feathers only. It breaks up the edges and gives a soft look
during the next (burning) stage. As I work, I create some splits by drawing longer lines toward the base
of the feather. Not that the lines all curve towards the centre shaft.

This view shows all of the stoning that I plan on doing on the side pocket. Note how much
softer the feathers look here than on the picture where I was relieving the shafts.

This is a close up of the feathers in the centre of the picture above. I'm pointing it out because
there is a space carved between the layers of feathers. This detail will add interest for viewers
when the carving is painted and on display. It has the effect of breaking up a large mass of
feathers.