Pumpkinseed Sunfish Painting Tutorial (thats fun to say)

[Jknuth]

Ok I got a wad of Emails form people on how I painted that sunfish.

Although we all know my views on adhering to a strict paint schedule   It may be helpful and give people a few Ideas and different painting methods.

If people like this sort of thing I may take more in progress shots like this. It has actually helped me looking back at it and analyzing what I did.

Anywho Here it is
http://www.knuthart.com/joshua/blog/

If anyone has any questions feel free to ask away. I am glad to give some help back seeing how much you all have helped me.
Josh

[Dondi]

Excellent Josh !
 Just goes to show how many varied techniques can be used to create a very realistic finish....way to go !

[Frank E. Kotula]

Well done.........

[Bill4bass]

Josh,
   Did you use a white base coat before painting the black on the blank for antiquing? I got in that discussion a couple of weeks ago and some do and some don't. Thanks, That was an absolutely awesome teaching aid. Bill

[JP a.k.a Taxi-lover]

Really nice...thanks!

[Jeff Sonner]

Great work Josh. Sure would like to see more. I am amazed at the drastic change that occurred when you applied the green on the back. Like to see you do one of those cohos.

[George Roof]

Josh, the work is exceptional and the finished mount looks great, but we must have some big color differences in the fish I'm accustomed to seeing.  The "pumpkinseed" and the "red-eared sunfish" look totally different around here and in the Carolina's where I grew up.

[Rick Krane]

Jos!!!! Outstanding! What a gift you share! I really love your website it is fun and I enjoyed seeing how happy your Dad was with his fish!

My Best!

Your friend!
Rick Krane

[Trashfish]

Josh,
  Thanks for taking the time to post a paint schedule. the paint job on your Pumpkinseed is outrageous.Hope this is just the beginning of many more.

[Jknuth]

Josh,
   Did you use a white base coat before painting the black on the blank for antiquing? I got in that discussion a couple of weeks ago and some do and some don't. Thanks, That was an absolutely awesome teaching aid. Bill

I dont use a base coat. its just the gelcoat.
I have never had a problem with paint not sticking. but i wash the blanks very well first and 90% of my blanks come out of a silicone mold with no mold release used, so that helps.

[Kerby Ross]

I noticed on some of your pics that there appears to be a white cap on the eye.  What did you use?

Thanks

Kerby...

[Jknuth]

Josh, the work is exceptional and the finished mount looks great, but we must have some big color differences in the fish I'm accustomed to seeing.  The "pumpkinseed" and the "red-eared sunfish" look totally different around here and in the Carolina's where I grew up.

There is so much variation in colors hence my views on rigid schedules. many of the southern fish I have seen tend to be darker colors, due to tanned water. There are a few cranberry bogs that I fish, almost all of the fish are a rich deep dark brown color due to the tannin. This is the same thing that causes some sandhill cranes to get a deep ruddy brown.
Many of the lakes I fish are Gin clear and cold. I have pulled bluegill and crappie out that are almost silver.

[George Roof]

Thanx Josh.  Beautiful job.

[Jknuth]

I noticed on some of your pics that there appears to be a white cap on the eye.  What did you use?

Thanks

Kerby...

Hehe
Ok here is how I do Eyes.
I dont use glass eyes most of the time.

I under build them in apoxie, then paint them as I paint the fish. this allows the same colors to be used and the eyes will always match the fish.
Then I slowly build a coat of thick lacquer on them to build a thick clear lens.

It was always a tough spot for me. Eyes no matter how well painted many times still look like they were added after the fish was completed.

Even on a front view on most live fish the pupil is right under the surface when the fish is viewed out of water. this is due to the light refracting through the fluid in the eye. Only under water can you see the "clear" part of the eye.
So I had to made a judgment call to copy the fish out of the water.
Since I use a gloss coat on my fish it is "out of water" and I choose to do the same for the eyes.
I decided to start playing with this after using flex eyes and seeing how it is printed on the surface.

Again it is one of those choices we all make in our techniques.

[Marc]

Very cool!! and so nice of you to take the time to share like that.