User Panel
Update 2/9 continued
With the mix applied, I have to hot it with a brush before it dries, to add a bit of texture. Just the end of the brush stipples the texture just enough to give it a skin like look. 20150206_094915 by guns762, on Flickr" /> With the eyes drying, I also had to fill the gap between the lips. The only visible gap was right up front, but I was able to get putty all the way around the mouth. It should help make sure they neve come untucked. Texturing this was also done in the same manner. 20150209_083732 by guns762, on Flickr" /> 20150209_084004 by guns762, on Flickr" /> The nose was a very different experience. I couldn't see the ends of the skin inside, so I just got a glob of putty on my wooden knife and smashed it as best I could around inside the nose where I had carved. I also filled the pin holes in the skin that were visible. 20150209_083445 by guns762, on Flickr" /> |
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Update 2/9 continued......again...
Within a couple hours, the epoxy is dry and it was time to paint. Here are the colors I'll use to mix up the various hues of brownish/purple/pink. </a> 20150209_103344 by guns762, on Flickr" /> Testing the color. The actual painting took several steps. First the darker color is applied, then a lighter pink, then again, more dark, leaving just a bit of pink in some areas. There is more pink in the nose in those lighter areas of the skin, and also in the ears. </a> 20150209_103802 by guns762, on Flickr" /> Unfortuneatly, after my first coat it was obvious, that the texture in the corner of the eye....sucked. I had to do it again, by adding more epoxy over top and repainting. Here you can see the bad. </a> 20150209_104132 by guns762, on Flickr" /> Here is after I cleaned off the paint from the glass, before I redid the whole thing. The paint on the hair is just brushed off with a stiff brush. There is enough oil on the hair that it won't stick. Works pretty well. </a> 20150209_105102 by guns762, on Flickr" /> |
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2/9 continued. ...
The remaining painted parts. First, the muzzle. I thought it was a little weird that he didn't have symmetrical patches of skin on his nostils, but I'm not mother nature, so who am I to judge. I've still got some gloss to put on the parts also. 20150209_145747 by guns762, on Flickr" /> The inside of the nostril...... 20150209_145724 by guns762, on Flickr" /> Wider view of both the nose and the left eye. 20150209_145636 by guns762, on Flickr" /> The right eye..... 20150209_145441 by guns762, on Flickr" /> You can see the lighter pink area near the corner of the eye. 20150209_145819 by guns762, on Flickr" /> |
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You should write a primer on taxidermy.
Taxidermy 101 - this book is not about Uber. |
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An idea that I had the other night-posted in the dragon thread, deleted and never got round to posting it here-I like the little things you've added, like the bug on the bear mount(or was that the wolf?) Anyway, what about adding some type of small, unprotected bird species to the tree branches, like a sparrow? If WY laws are like IA, house sparrows are unprotected nongame and can be killed anywhere that it's legal to shoot a gun. Get a sparrow with a BB gun, stuff that and add it to the branches? It could be added to the mount any time, too, so if the owner likes the idea he won't have to wait for a last minute addition to take his moose home when everything else is done.
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Quoted:
An idea that I had the other night-posted in the dragon thread, deleted and never got round to posting it here-I like the little things you've added, like the bug on the bear mount(or was that the wolf?) Anyway, what about adding some type of small, unprotected bird species to the tree branches, like a sparrow? If WY laws are like IA, house sparrows are unprotected nongame and can be killed anywhere that it's legal to shoot a gun. Get a sparrow with a BB gun, stuff that and add it to the branches? It could be added to the mount any time, too, so if the owner likes the idea he won't have to wait for a last minute addition to take his moose home when everything else is done. View Quote That's a cool idea. Not sure what species are unprotected here. Most fall under "song birds" and are protected. Small birds are a bitch to mount, though. The smaller, the more difficult. |
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Quoted:
Small birds are a bitch to mount, though. The smaller, the more difficult. View Quote True, didn't think of that. I've always wanted to do a sparrow or starling but never gotten around to trying. My brother saw the Geico commercial ripping off Antiques Roadshow a few years ago that had a guy with a bird mounted in a mannequin hand and the appraiser said it was worth two in the bush. He said he wanted a bird mounted like that, for that reason. I've wanted to make him one ever since, for the size range I need,pretty much limited to a house sparrow or European starling, or if I wait for hunting season a dove is an option. |
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Starlings are fair game, but damn are they ugly....like a mini crow. Actually, that's insulting to crows. Crows aren't ugly, just gross.
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Quoted:
Starlings are fair game, but damn are they ugly....like a mini crow. Actually, that's insulting to crows. Crows aren't ugly, just gross. View Quote Agreed on both counts. I do like the markings on house sparrows though, especially the males. Without a hunting season open options are limited though. |
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Update 2/10
Finishing up this project today. First the clear coat on the eyes, nose and lips I'm just brushing the clear coat on. It keeps it more precise on the eyes, and isn't really a problem on the lips and nose. 20150210_073745 by guns762, on Flickr" /> First the eyes, 20150210_073753 by guns762, on Flickr" /> The insides of the nostrils..... 20150210_075038 by guns762, on Flickr" /> And the lips, just inside the seam. 20150210_075904 by guns762, on Flickr" /> |
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Quoted:
That's a cool idea. Not sure what species are unprotected here. Most fall under "song birds" and are protected. Small birds are a bitch to mount, though. The smaller, the more difficult. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
An idea that I had the other night-posted in the dragon thread, deleted and never got round to posting it here-I like the little things you've added, like the bug on the bear mount(or was that the wolf?) Anyway, what about adding some type of small, unprotected bird species to the tree branches, like a sparrow? If WY laws are like IA, house sparrows are unprotected nongame and can be killed anywhere that it's legal to shoot a gun. Get a sparrow with a BB gun, stuff that and add it to the branches? It could be added to the mount any time, too, so if the owner likes the idea he won't have to wait for a last minute addition to take his moose home when everything else is done. That's a cool idea. Not sure what species are unprotected here. Most fall under "song birds" and are protected. Small birds are a bitch to mount, though. The smaller, the more difficult. IF you did want to do that, just wait a month or two until most of the songbirds are back, and then watch the roads as you are driving. I bet you pass about 10+ birds a day killed by cars and not even realize it. If you can find one in decent shape, you could mount it up. You also never know what species you might find. Another thing that would look cool is placing a small weasel or ermine in the rock display somewhere. |
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Finished Moose....Thanks to those who came along for the journey
There are still a few spots near the ears, and under the neck that need to dry a bit more before it goes home, but I'm done. They eye with dried clearcoat 20150210_083309 by guns762, on Flickr" /> Yesterday, I combed in Kleen Sheen, hair sheen, made for showing cattle, over the entire mount. It really made the moose's hair shine, and look more natural. I also hit the antlers with some clear shoe polish to liven them up a bit. When I cleaned the blood off the antlers, the pine stink was really strong. 20150210_075251 by guns762, on Flickr" /> 20150210_075407 by guns762, on Flickr" /> 20150210_075424 by guns762, on Flickr" /> 20150210_075533 by guns762, on Flickr" /> 20150210_075550 by guns762, on Flickr" /> 20150210_075626 by guns762, on Flickr" /> 20150210_075645 by guns762, on Flickr" /> 20150210_075709 by guns762, on Flickr" /> 20150210_075727 by guns762, on Flickr" /> 20150210_075830 by guns762, on Flickr" /> 20150210_075948 by guns762, on Flickr" /> 20150210_080104 by guns762, on Flickr" /> |
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This is beyond amazing. Even better that you are including the class in your efforts.
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Congrats on another great project! Thanks for all of the detailed posts. Your taxidermy projects are some of my favorite threads.
I'll be in Wy in 2016 to hunt and can't wait. After seeing your craftsmanship, talent, and attention to detail, I'm really hoping I can find a good guy to mount an animal if I harvest one. I'm starting to see the differences between a cheap quick mount, and one that has quality detail work. I think these threads have ruined me. Thanks again! |
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Damn. The moose is done. Now we wait...
I love your threads. Just sad when theyre over. I used to watch this show called "Mounted In Alaska" but it was cancelled after 1 season. I like watching taxidermy. |
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Quoted:
Starlings are fair game, but damn are they ugly....like a mini crow. Actually, that's insulting to crows. Crows aren't ugly, just gross. View Quote You are mounting one of the Ugliest animals in the wild kingdom and you worried that the bird added to the mount is ugly?? The SO made me type that. She thinks Moose are UGLY!! Can't totally disagree with her on the point either. EBR666 |
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Question for you.
I have three White Tailed Deer mounts that need cleaning. How do you clean the hair and refresh the nose skin? EBR666 |
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Quoted:
Question for you. I have three White Tailed Deer mounts that need cleaning. How do you clean the hair and refresh the nose skin? EBR666 View Quote A local taxidermist told me to take it outside with a hose and some shampoo.... No, seriously. Don't use pressure, just wet it down, and shampoo, then rinse. Use an air hose, or a hair dryer set on cool, to blow it dry. The nose might have to be repainted, but that wouldn't be too hard with a small brush, and some black paint. Don't allow the mount to soak, or sit wet for long, or you will cause the hide to soften, and move. |
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Quoted:
A local taxidermist told me to take it outside with a hose and some shampoo.... No, seriously. Don't use pressure, just wet it down, and shampoo, then rinse. Use an air hose, or a hair dryer set on cool, to blow it dry. The nose might have to be repainted, but that wouldn't be too hard with a small brush, and some black paint. Don't allow the mount to soak, or sit wet for long, or you will cause the hide to soften, and move. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Question for you. I have three White Tailed Deer mounts that need cleaning. How do you clean the hair and refresh the nose skin? EBR666 A local taxidermist told me to take it outside with a hose and some shampoo.... No, seriously. Don't use pressure, just wet it down, and shampoo, then rinse. Use an air hose, or a hair dryer set on cool, to blow it dry. The nose might have to be repainted, but that wouldn't be too hard with a small brush, and some black paint. Don't allow the mount to soak, or sit wet for long, or you will cause the hide to soften, and move. Thanks. Think I'll wait until spring and the four feet of snow outside to melt before I hose them off. EBR666 |
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Awesome work. It's always cool to follow your threads to the finished product.
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Guns ,
Another awesome job from you and your students ! They are lucky to have a teacher like you ! Truly inspiring. Thanks for taking the time to post these threads....some of the best threads on arfcom . |
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So whats your friend think?
Any chance you show us how it moves? |
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Quoted:
So whats your friend think? Any chance you show us how it moves? View Quote He's stopped by a couple times during the process, as I wanted his opinion on a few things. He hasn't seen the final product yet, except the same pictures you have. Hopefully, I can help him get it up in his house on Friday if it dries by then. He's very happy so far. The mount just swivels on the leg. It can be adjusted to face different directions. I'll see if I can take a few different shots of it tomorrow, in different positions. |
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Quoted: He's stopped by a couple times during the process, as I wanted his opinion on a few things. He hasn't seen the final product yet, except the same pictures you have. Hopefully, I can help him get it up in his house on Friday if it dries by then.
He's very happy so far. The mount just swivels on the leg. It can be adjusted to face different directions. I'll see if I can take a few different shots of it tomottow, in different positions. View Quote With some goofy balloons floating from the antlers. |
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Always pleased to follow along in your threads- just sad when they end! Sort of like the end of a season of Game of Thrones or Shameless... Its so good you don't want it to end... |
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Amazing work. I hope your students realize what an awesome teacher they have.
My art teacher was nasty granola munching, chai tea drinking liberal hippy bitch. No wonder I can't draw a straight line. |
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This is the first of your threads I've followed, OP. I have been quite impressed.
I'll have to look up your other ones. Thanks for sharing all of this! |
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I love these threads, you did an amazing job.
I can't wait for the next one! |
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Quoted:
So whats your friend think? Any chance you show us how it moves? View Quote The extremes of movement for posing........ 20150211_091820 by guns762, on Flickr" /> 20150211_091937 by guns762, on Flickr" /> |
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Quoted:
The extremes of movement for posing........ http://<a href=https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8629/16501485752_1ec45c7afd_b.jpg</a>20150211_091820 by guns762, on Flickr" /> http://<a href=https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8565/15882332053_e9706c9992_b.jpg</a>20150211_091937 by guns762, on Flickr" /> View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
So whats your friend think? Any chance you show us how it moves? The extremes of movement for posing........ http://<a href=https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8629/16501485752_1ec45c7afd_b.jpg</a>20150211_091820 by guns762, on Flickr" /> http://<a href=https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8565/15882332053_e9706c9992_b.jpg</a>20150211_091937 by guns762, on Flickr" /> That's awesome! |
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Another amazing thread and mount.
I wish there was a way we could get updates when you start a new thread, I almost missed one of the others. |
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Fantastic work!
Do you keep track of the man-hours required to complete a job like this? If so, about how long does it take? |
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Quoted:
Fantastic work! Do you keep track of the man-hours required to complete a job like this? If so, about how long does it take? View Quote Probably not near as long as you would think. I've done it on a few projects, but I have no idea for this one. I think I was more stressed about this one though. I was worried about the tan not being good, and not knowing what to do with a moose's nose. ETA: And thanks again for the nice comments. |
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