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Beaudini Magic Loyal user Ohio 259 Posts |
Hi there again,
As I already said, I've designed a new act, and it will involve colored doves. I haven't ventured into the realm of colored doves before, and would like to ask if anyone here knows a good technique for coloring them. I am in need of a nice bright pink and yellow, Thanks
-Beau Alexander
"Make the Path, Others will Follow" |
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sperris Special user http://www.Anti-Conjuror.com 881 Posts |
Hey man, try checking out Andy Amyx's video: DOVES 101. He covers coloring on the video...you can also order pre-made coloring from him off his site: http://www.andyamyx.com
DANSPERRY.COM
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R2 Special user 935 Posts |
I don't prefer to do this to my doves because they have no say in the matter!
However, if one were so inclined as to disregard any feelings for the white angels? He could colour them using this method.... Wash the dove with detergent and water until the natural oils have been removed from the top layer of feathers. Dip a sponge in a tint color (Tintex) ...or brush the top layer of feathers with food colouring... IT will work as well. Why not try asking your feathered friends as a common courtesy prior to the process? They might just give you an affirmative response? Your Brother in all things magic, rr P.S. "Got Chiles?" |
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mafedi New user 49 Posts |
I think the doves are our friends, so we do not have to bother them, so do not paint them, please....
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Beaudini Magic Loyal user Ohio 259 Posts |
Thank you all very much for your input, I really appreciate it. Dan, looking forward to seeing you at Magifest. I really admire your act and would love to talk to you there. Well friends, I must go, lots of work, so little time.
Thanks Again
-Beau Alexander
"Make the Path, Others will Follow" |
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Nachtzehrer Veteran user Portugal 324 Posts |
The Best way to dye doves (I've been told, and used) is:
mix some food coloring with water and a bit of vinegar, not a lot, about a spoon for liter. Spray the doves with it and let dry. The vinegar will take the oil out of the doves' feathers and the food coloring is perfectly safe. Try it, you won't regret it. Alex
Alex
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Amyxdove Regular user Andy Amyx 143 Posts |
Wow it kind of blows me away that you guys think coloring doves is really cruel. And or they have no say in the matter. Don't you think what we do to them is bad enough? I.E. Stuffing them in our jackets, Producing them from a bag or on a harness? Granted I love a beautiful white dove myself but also a well colored dove looks wonderful. Just my 2 cents.
Andy Amyx |
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Rupert Bair Inner circle ? 2179 Posts |
How do you cover the eyes?
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sperris Special user http://www.Anti-Conjuror.com 881 Posts |
When I color my birds I don't cover their eyes because I don't color their heads at all. I leave them white except I'll take my finger and give them a little mohawk of color right down the middle, but a small one like with my little finger. As they dry they will work the color in on their own just by naturally rubbing their deads against the other feathers when cleaning themselves.
sperris
DANSPERRY.COM
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
I've mentioned my method several times in this forum but here it is again. First, wash the dove in baby shampoo to remove the oil from the feathers. Let them dry out and then dip a cotton ball in food coloring. You can dab or stroke the feathers and get a complete coat on them even under the wings. The cotton ball will also let you dab around the eyes or you can use a Qtip. Be sure to put the bird in a warm, dry environment until it is dry.
Spraying them with a vinegar solution may work if you don't mind a vinegar smell on your birds.
Where the magic begins
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Nick Wait Inner circle Lichfield, UK 1042 Posts |
How long does it take before they regain there natural colour?
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
It's hard to tell exactly. It's a never ending process. As the feathers moult, the white comes back. The moulting time is different for every bird. You just have to watch you bird to get a time frame.
Where the magic begins
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Magic Blinds New user 59 Posts |
Before you consider dying doves you might take into consideration the amount of time it takes to dye doves. The dye has to be touched up on a regular basis and it will increase your set-up time. If you doing an hour long illusion show then time is precious but If you only do a dove act, go for it.
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Paul Gross Special user 574 Posts |
Hello,
The easiest, fastest and most importantly safest way to color your doves is with the product sold by Andy Amyx. I remember as a younger man trying to do this with food coloring as suggested in the Ian Adair Encyclopedia Of Dove Magic. Several hours later I finally gave up. With the product Andy sells it is done very simply and makes the up keep of the coloring process easier. Best Regards Paul Gross Owner Hocus Pocus |
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Magic Blinds, interesting comment
Quote:
The dye has to be touched up on a regular basis and it will increase your set-up time. Why would that be? You don't dye the doves while you are setting up. They should be done already. There is maintenance time to keep them colored but not at the time of the performance.
Where the magic begins
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Patchouli New user France 65 Posts |
Doves are naturally white. The white of the doves and the black of the jacket make a very classic and elegant look. This is one of the reasons why magicians use doves. An other particularity of the white colour is to reflect the light, and make your dove shiny and bigger than it is really.
If, in the future, I want to make coloured effects, you'll be sure I'll use birds that will be in the natural colour I wish. It seems logical. What good reason imposes you to coloured your birds ? Cordialement, Patrick. |
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Patrick, with the proper coloring, the light is reflected just as well as with white birds. Your point about the white/black contrast is well taken, however, not every dove worker wears black. Also, if done correctly, the dove production is not done directly in front of the jacket to give this contrast.
There are many situation where a colored dove gives a better effect. Greg Frewin is a classic example. Bounce yellow tennis balls that turn into yellow doves is the correct change over. Jason Byrne uses yellow clay to produce a yellow dove from inside. Again, this is the correct change over. General Grant covers a green piece of tissue paper with a silk and turns it into a green dove. Could all of these effects be accomplished with a white dove? Absolutely but the effect would not be the same and that, afterall, is what we as dove performers are looking to achieve. A classic acts such as Lance Burton, James Dimmare and Channing Pollock dictate the use of white doves.
Where the magic begins
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Patchouli New user France 65 Posts |
Hi Dave,
Of course, I deeply agree with your technical arguments. But, I wonder, if I was a dove, I am not sure to appreciate the colouring process. Why not imagine a tennis ball turn from Yellow to white, or a white piece of tissue with a green silk cover etc... Otherwise on using proper colour spotlight you can make appear a blue dove in blue spotlight on a place of the scene, and on another place with a red spotlight you make appear a red dove and so on. It will be smart, and nobody will be hurt in their sensibility for animals. (I hope you understand my approximate English) Cordialement, Patrick. |
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Dave Scribner Assistant Manager Lake Hopatcong, NJ 4849 Posts |
Understood. Lighting is great if it is available however I've done many shows where the best that could be provided was a white spotlight with no color gels. Using gels to project the color on a bird during production could be a monumental task for any lighting crew, especially if they aren't professionals. We, as professional performers very often use makeup on ourselves. Why? Once applied, we don't have our natural skin color. Why wouldn't we use lighting on ourselves to provide the presentation desired. I'm not making fun of your statement in any way. Simpy carrying it to the extreme which is what many do when it comes to doves.
I have a personal problem with those that think coloring a birds feathers is cruel. We are not making them eat anything harmful, or withstand something like a tattoo. We're basically talking about food coloring which is totally safe. There is no pain involved. There are no nerves in a doves feathers to generate pain even if it were present. I haven't colored my birds in a long time but when I did, they showed no signs of discomfort. They went about their daily routines the same as they did when they were white. A conversation like this could go on at length as both sides feel strongly about the matter and it has been discussed at length many times here on the Café. It's a no win situation. Those of us that do choose to color will, and those that don't feel it is right will always argue that point.
Where the magic begins
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Magic Blinds New user 59 Posts |
Dave S wrote:
Why would that be? You don't dye the doves while you are setting up. They should be done already. There is maintenance time to keep them colored but not at the time of the performance. Dave, I perform about 250 or more shows a year. I just try to make my life as simple as possible and retouching doves takes time. Once in a while I will dye them but its too much work. I hate waking up and looking at them and realising that I have to touch them up, and I have to set-up a few other tricks, pick up the assistant, haul illusions, sound system, intelligent lights etc. |
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