WING"TIPS" #6 reproduction eyecombs

[wingman]

Well here is a topic a few requested. Making reproduction eyebrow combs on grouse, I start with putting two staples above the eye to help hold the sculptall in place. roll out two equal sized balls of sculpall, form them as desired according to whatever species reference etc. and then form them around the staples, It takes a bit of practice but then all I do is start to ''pull and pick'' at the putty with a three cornered needle and a small pin. It takes me about 10-15 minutes per side and I do them in stages, Get them ''roughed in'' and then switch back and forth putting in the final desired effect. I have made them out of chenille in the past with OK results also. They don't turn out perfect this way BUT when painted look good. You can add paint to the sculptall before mixing BUT I don't as it seems to weaken the finest details. They are fragile even when dry. I have a Capercaille of mine I am going to photograph doing the eyecombs for another topic at some point, GOOD LUCK

[wingman]

Next two pics

[wingman]

And the finished pic

[jeremy]

Very cool Wingman, as always thanks for sharing.

[taxos]

yeah wingman, very very nice of you to share your techniques with us!

[JP a.k.a Taxi-lover]

Yes,good looking comb's. I've read somewhere that makin comb's with epoxycompound leaves them plasticlooking, but have to say that your modeling isn't plastic looking at all!! Very nice! Have you tried the method I've used with my grouse? The combination of cloth and epoxy.. I would like to see how good you can make it look!!
This comb making has alway's been a difficult part of strutting grouses,but I think we have come to very close representation with these new methods.

[mk]

good info!

[Rick RR GBirds]

I'm stealing that one wingman!  thanks

[ludvik]

thank you wingman!! i will  try it on my next black grouse
thx for tips

ludvik

[SteveP]

OK Wingman, where do I send my money for your DVD?

Thanks,
Steve

[owen]

The technique is good, but make sure you use reference when re-creating the anatomy of the eye combs and glands.Not all grouse species have the same texture comb. A spruce grouse will have a fuller comb than a sage grouse. It takes the same amount of time to sculpt it correct using reference and you will achieve a better finished product, which is what we are all trying to accomplish. Thanks for the ideas Wingman.

[wingman]

Owen, Very true, They all vary SO much that different modeling and texturing is a must, There are several techniques for making eyecombs and In my opinion none of them are as realistic looking as the one's GOD put on top of the birds head BUT we at least try

[Jeff Ireland]

Wingman,

I am a self taught guy with a passion for birds.  When I look through the taxidermist sites and compare professional birds (upland) with mine, I am pleased to think I am doing something right.  While I would love nothing more than to enroll for lessons, my full time job with the Montana National Guard makes that very difficult.  Anyway, the WING "TIPS" that you're posting have been EXTREMELY helpful in giving me some great information.  I wanted to thank you for taking time to post them.  They are the first thing I search for when I log in and very much appreciated.  Jeff.