trouble with fox eyes

[elkhunter1313]

I have a mount I am trying to get done it is the "leaping fox" form that should be preset for eyes and such but as hard as I dare try save wrecking the form, I cannot get the eyes to set or position right. Can anyone help me by either showing onj a form hwo they set best? I have studied animals pictures and muscle structure and have the form "carved" to specs, but even when I lay the skin of the head over the eyes, with the fur laying around it and semi tucked, it still looks off...I am really frustrated over such a small detail, but am  so determined for perfection.

[oldterryr]

heres the last one i did

[RoyalOaksTaxidermy]

  IM not sure if this is what you wanted but here is one of my fox.  I dont adjust my eyes until the hide is on.. I just stuff em in the hole.. Then once I have the hide on I use my modeling tool to arrange the eyes how I want.
 Post a pic of what you have maybe someone can point out what is going wrong.

[Josh K]

It could also be that the nose to eye measurement is off

[Buck,Black Forest Eyes]

James, There Not Turned in enough ! (Lids) ?
Get It Wet..and try to push them in a bit. Tuck..and Check !
Q: are the Eyes from Me ?
Buck....

By the way the Eyes Posted in the Pic are NOT Turned in Enough !
James...Use Good Reference Photos !

[elkhunter1313]

Buck...yes the eyes are from you its the browny orange colored ones...i thought they might measure up best for a fox mount...i set them in the form and they look kind of sunk in so i laid the skin over it...I know the nose may have to be whittled down a bit or the cartlidge inside razored out to almost paperthin...(I am afraid of losing the nose entirely doing this). I know alot of people shape clay around the eyes and I have done so as well but it makes it look too bulky yet when i shape it back the skin doesn't fit...
I am afraid of having a mentally retarded looking mount LOL

Royal Oak...do you cut out the inner membrane around the eyes or do you use them to mould around the eyes? I did try the method you use...and I do like that one better. I will try again this weekend and see what happens

[RoyalOaksTaxidermy]

I prefer to cut it short.  I dont care for alot to tuck...

[Buck,Black Forest Eyes]

James...Look at the Eye's...Q; are they looking (Direction Foreward) enough ?..
Skin with a Scalpal a bit of the X-tra flesh, so you can (Tuc) the skin in there.
Buck....

[Paul K]

Notice the areas marked in red on the ref. pic. Notice how the crease comes off the upper eye lid. This is a good indicator as to the postion of the upper eye skin. The area in circles , what I'll refer to as the lacramal crease on the manikin will need some work on most forms. I like to remove the right amount to get that area correct. You can also remove some in excess and just rebuild in apoxie or clay. If you take too much out you will get a sunken peekeneese dog look to your eye set. I always use an IQ eye which requires a little more work around the eye orbit but is a far more realistic looking eye. Pay attention to the angle of the pupils. I like to put a straight rod in the form between the eyes pointed in the focus direction and then step back to the focus area and look to see that my pupils are headed there. This method will require very little clay and give a good accurate eye set.

[Paul K]

Elkhunter , I tell it many times. You blow the eyes you blew the whole mount! You are so correct in wanting that correct eye set.
Good luck with your endeavor.

[elkhunter1313]

Royal how do you adjust the eyes after putting the skin on? Do you use clay on back of the eyes?

Paul...maybe you have photos of the form prior to the laying of the skin to better illustrate the eye detail? I think I understand, however being the perfectionist I am for this project I want to really get it right... What are your thoughts of Royal's way of doing it? Her mount seems to come out just as good as yours.

[oldterryr]

leaper eyes (agressive eyes) are not the same as relaxed eyes - all of the pictures submitted are not right for agressive look and the actual way the fox holds his eyes during attack

[Buck,Black Forest Eyes]

Squinting is usually what happens when a fox is "Mouse Jumping" I have a Pet Fox, and I notice that She can vary,and even, squint if She want's to !
When I pet Her, She Closes them to a "Slit" like a Dog, or Cat, when "Relaxed"...I'd do a "Jumper" woth the Eye Brow's..."Tensed" and a "Tic" Fluffed, or Puffed, up or "Preened"  in a "Squint".
I'd also show them in a "Slant"  going in to the nose !

James..I'm going to be on a Business trip till Sunday..Good Luck, on It !
You'll do just Fine !
Buck....

[RoyalOaksTaxidermy]

Royal how do you adjust the eyes after putting the skin on? Do you use clay on back of the eyes?

Paul...maybe you have photos of the form prior to the laying of the skin to better illustrate the eye detail? I think I understand, however being the perfectionist I am for this project I want to really get it right... What are your thoughts of Royal's way of doing it? Her mount seems to come out just as good as yours.

Yes I use clay behind the eyes. I poke a hole into the middle of the eye socket with my round rasp, and then make my clay come to a point, push it down into the hole then flatten it arounnd the inside of the eye socket. then a push the eye down into the clay. I put the hide on do my adjustments, then I tuck in the small amount of skin I left and use my tool to get the eye positioned where it looks good. I must admit I spend alot of time on eyes.. Probably way more than most people...
  And thanks for the compliment