How to Make a Sheep Out of Wood

Assembly

• 1

  Draw the body with the head and tail in a profile view of the sheep onto a sheet of 3/4-inch plywood. Use a color book, or comic strip for inspiration. A body 24 inches high by 36 inches long will create a life size sheep.

• 2

  Draw the legs, with the feet on one edge of the plywood, with the feet at least 12 inches apart, and each hoof at least 4 inches wide for stability. Make the legs approximately 18 inches long.

• 3

  Use a drywall square to draw a line up the middle of each leg section. Make one line on each side of it, 3/8 of an inch from the original line, extending six inches down from the top of the leg.

• 4

  Use a carpenter square to mark a similar notch 3/4-inch wide and six inches long, four inches from the front of the sheep's body, extending up from the bottom at a slight angle toward the center of the sheep's body. Draw a second notch at the rear of the sheep.

• 5

  Cut the pieces out with a jigsaw, including the notches in both the body and leg sections. Fit one leg piece into the front notch and one into the back to assemble the sheep so that it can stand on its own.

Painting

• 6

  Apply a coat of oil bonding primer to the entire sheep, including all edges, using a disposable paint brush. Work in overlapping, straight strokes, with the grain. Spread the paint as evenly as possible to prevent runs and drips. Allow one hour drying time.

• 7

  Apply a coat of white latex semigloss paint to the sheep parts. Use the same technique you used for the primer, with a soft bristle, medium width brush. Allow the white to dry to the touch.

• 8

  Use gray and black latex pant to add details to your sheep with an art brush. Paint the muzzle and curls in the fur gray. Paint the nose, eyes and hooves black. Allow the sheep to dry overnight before assembling.