my very 1st attempt, lemme have it! (wip)

[ladyarcher726]

hi there, so I was down there playing around trying to make a base for my fisher.  None of my driftwood fit and I don't want to buy anything, I figure I won't learn if I just keep buying stuff.  I have plenty of foam and I'm not afraid to throw this out if you think it just royally sucks!  lol!  I'd appreciate it if you kept the "toss it, it sucks" comments to a minimum, but if it looks like it might have potential if I do this or that then please, I'd love to learn something!  I want to have my base complete before I mount the fisher for the obvious reason of forming the feet to the base.  Her front right foot I actually do want very close to the edge as I'd like her toes gripping the edge.
Yes I realize that top back foot is nowhere near the base, I figured on making another slab and attaching it, staggered over like the other top one is, but I have other things that I need to do so I just posted it as is for now.
Also, once general composition has been achieved, how should I go about finishing this base?  I am not using an airbrush yet so spray paint will have to be my medium of choice!  I do have that rock spraypaint, the bumpy stuff, and I have black.  I'm guessing I should do a light base coat of black and then spray the rock paint?  Should I use any greens?  Also, with a fisher, what would be best as far as greenery; I have moss so far and thought of putting a little here and there to cover the junctions between the layers.
One more stupid question please, but will hot glue hold the layers together well enough?  I do have a wire rod going through everything to hold it together and I plan to leave it in there.  

So, thank you!!!

[Otto]

It sucks, toss it..............Just kidding. It looks pretty good so far. I would shape the 3rd and 5th rock a bit more and roughen up the smooth areas some. I'm not a fan of the fleck paint, I prefer to paint my rocks with a brush. Hot glue is good, but Gorilla glue is better for foam. Make some holes in your foam to allow glue to expand into. As far as greenery moss is fine, also some dirt sprinkled through out at the junctures might work, as well as some grasses. I'm sure it will look nice when done. Post pics.

[Ken's Fish Taxidermy]

Looks good cant wait to see it when it is done.

[ladyarcher726]

hi there!  so I've been working on this and have made some changes... I don't know if I like that top rock but don't know what I should do to change it, or if I should just leave it as is?  Need some opinions please!  Does it look balanced, or is the base overwhelming compared to the mount?  I did find some snow dusted cedar for habitat which I just love, you can see a sprig tucked in behind her head. 
Once the base and fisher are complete I may just try to mount a red squirrel that I have in the freezer and tuck it in under the top rock/behind the fisher, like it's hiding on the fisher. 

[jstady2002]

I think the rock looks good. I see what your saying about the top rock.  The only thing I would consider is making the rock under the top one bigger.  It kind of looks like a rock just balancing on that rock.  Maybe just increase the size a little bit and see what it looks like.

[alan webfoot]

Dont know if this will help but here goes ,made a foam sneak boat ,used 2 part epoxy paint on it to toughen up foam  ,give it a protective layer ,look up surfboards on the net thats where you'll find the paint you can mix in sand gravel  even mulch with this stuff It's paintable and sticks to anything ,One bump on the foam rocks and your down to the pink