The Marvellous Gyr

Commission of Statue of Largest Falcon

Astonishing in its elegance and form, and in the sense of power it gives even at rest – the largest falcon in the world is the Gyr Falcon. 

Sculptress Joel worked on the clay of this life sized falcon in her Studio GALLERY.

Though a bird of the high latitudes it is known for the long distances travelled in the winter. This strong falcon has been a favourite of those who love falconry and the history of falconry. It is considered a Royal bird.

Below is a full blog of this fascinating statue project, written by the artist Sculptress JOEL, from first study and measurements, making of the steel armature and all through to the details of feathers and talons.

The Making of the Marvelous Gyr Falcon Statue

First begins the process to research and understand this bird before making the sculpture of a Gyr. It is to be sitting alert and at rest, yet ready to fly. Below is an example of the magnificent white form  –

Yet the darker variations help us see the numbers and patterns of the feathers.

Such epic details of shapes of feathers and body form

Now for the scale of the life-sized bird

And for scale here a 15cm rule 

There follows a fantastic time studying Gyr Falcons at a famous UK breeder of falcons. It is so important to speak to people who know. I was made aware that there is an apparent lack of feathering and thickness of leg in the armature reference image above. I had already noted the beautiful form of the leg feathers on this falcon, and the length of the wings. Patience now needed  – much to be done to get the conformation  and underlying musculature etc in place before the feathers are added.

I enjoyed an epic time studying some beautiful, powerful, amazing birds

Early stage of the frame – the first key points and joints on the armature and the fix of the first wire 

The first fix of the key wire of the body length

The armature must all sit within the body of the sculpture

Close up of the nuts, rod and wire of the early first fix.

Next an application of resin to this key point  and also the fix of the extra support  for the top of the Rock on which our Gyr will sit.

Already we can begin to see the width of the bird’s stance – and the dimension of the rock needed!

More development of the armature followed, including adding leg wire, support for the body core and for the tail feathers. How strange the sculpture looks at the stage following, and without the head.

This is where the study of a falcon skeleton is helpful

The body form is developing and starts to take shape as the head is added – Several good sessions and we start to see a falcon!

Broadening out to the body core and a quick sketch of the line of the top of the wings.

The photograph below is of a male Gyr Falcon – but he gives us a good guide to pose and conformation.

I need to address the lower abdomen and it will be good to have a final fix on the lower leg and toes.

Also the armature has now been further developed to support those amazing tail feather and wing primaries

Next more clay addition and development 

Notice the temporary eyes ! and  development to the shape of the head

The front view showing the marker pins and an increase in width and …

More on the toes and the sketch of one of the feathered legs

The details of the tail feathers need work and here the planned support for the wing feathers.

You can see the shape of the falcon head is improving.

The Gyr Falcon progress in the Studio … It looks as though the other birds, including the Swifts ( Apus Apus) have caught her eye!

Wings take much time, study and tries – the flight feathers and the secondaries 

After and in among the wings … additions to the feet.

Many hours of work and a focus on the study and details of the feet.

The scales on the feet and the nature and shape of the talons is particular. Help again from Ian  Garland and falconer Dean Worley. I am very grateful for all their advice and information about this bird species.

And the hours spent on the wing structure have come to reality.

During the sessions focused on particular areas – I also work on places that catch my eye and need improvement.

And  mentioning eyes – at last the character and expression of the eyes and face and face of the Gyr.

This female Gyr in clay has her beak slightly open – as if she is about to call.

Thanks to help from Ian Garland I know to look for and add the ‘tooth’ shape to the upper mandible and echoing shape in the lower mandible-

Another visit to Ian Falconer Falcon breeder was important to double check with him as to the accuracy of the Gyr Falcon sculpture – and he gave important feedback about the wings and profile. Glad to say nothing major missed or added!!

I have used dark  glass  to help keep the shape of the eyes and the dark colour helps.

Next to make the details of the base  – which exciting to say is going to hold stone from the Land of the Sponsor of this Sculpture…

An exciting time ahead.