Woodworker: Stanley RillWhen this atlas cedar tree began to drop limbs regularly and was due to be taken down, the homeowner hired Rill, a self-taught wood carver, to create the dragon (4 ft. dia. by 24 ft. tall). Rill finished the carving in 26 days. Then he let the dragon air-dry, covered with a tarp, for a few weeks, and applied three generous coats of clear wood preservative, followed by oil-based deck stain. He used three to four shades of stain to create the colors and shading and finished with gold sign paint on the tips of the scales. From Fine Woodworking #203

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