Setting bobcat eyes

[linspace]

I did one bobcat, and when all is said and done.. it is crosseyed.. which I never noticed when putting the eyes on the manekin. It is very subtle, but noticeable on the finished mount.  I have another to do.. what is the BEST way to set those eyes and be sure they are straight and even?

[Jim B]

We tend to think of predators as having eyes in front looking forward but they don't sit STRAIGHT forward and parallel.When you skin a cat you will notice that from a top view,the rear corner of the eye isn't even with the front corner,but angles back.That angle is something like 15 degrees from 90.

You are looking at those cat eyes and seeing something you don't like in the angle.Next time you set cat eyes,get in front and look at them the same way.If it looks off,change it.If you don't catch it till after the skin is on,make a small wire hook or use a dental tool with a hooked and slip it through the eye opening and hooking it behind the glass eye,pull one side outward slightly till you are satisfied with the angle.

When I set cat eyes,I want to view them from the front,the side and ALSO,from the top.Use good reference pictures when doing so.Don't be afraid to remove some foam from the lower rim of the eye socket if that's what it takes to show the proper amount of iris below the eye pupil,as you are seeing in your pictures.

[linspace]

Thank you

[phoenix-cry]

That skinned cat head is a great ref, thanks!

[Jim B]

Here is a side view of that skinned head.Notice how that eye sits above to bone.


You can see some angle to that eye from a side view but I would try to find a live picture reference to get that angle of gaze lined up with angle of the face.