Mannikin prep for beginners

[Bobbi Meyer]

If you've followed my other tutorials, I realized after posting them, that I didn't include a mannikin prep tutorial.
The prep itself is very simple and most people probably already know how, but in keeping with the beginners theme, here it is...
Since my disclaimer is so long winded, I'll just say I'm not a professional and this is just my way of doing things.


First I take a regular screwdriver and push it straight down into the back corner of each side of the mouth.

[Bobbi Meyer]

Next starting at one corner, I take my knife and go all the way around the mouth, meeting at the other corner. I'll cut into the form about 1/2 inch.

[Bobbi Meyer]

here you can see how thin the lip slot actually is...I'm even opening it up a bit with the screwdriver tip just to show you that there is some memory in the foam. Meaning you don't have to cut a large lip slot to get the skin in there, you just need to thin your lips good.

[Bobbi Meyer]

Now I'll do the lacrymal gland.
Once again, it doesn't need to be a large gap, you just need to thin the skin down good.
When I make the cut for the lacrymal gland, I'll angle my knife toward the front of the mannikin.
In other words, don't cut straight into the mannikin at a right angle.

[Bobbi Meyer]

Next I'll do the nose.
I used to use a dremel tool, but those little buggers can eat up foam faster than rabbits have babies. And once it's gone you can't put it back.
I use this method now, as it seems to let me control what I want to remove.

The first photo is the mannikin before any work has been done on it.

I make my first cut following the wing of the nostil..I'll sort of angle the knife down toward the middle of the nostril.


Then I'll make my second cut from the bottom of the nostril angling up..
You're basically removing a "wedge" shaped piece of foam.

[Bobbi Meyer]

next I'll take my modeling tool and basically sculpt the rest of the nose interior.
I use the spoon shaped end and will push down into the foam or use the pointed end to make the nasal cavity deeper.

[Bobbi Meyer]

Here are shots from the side and "up" the nose of the deer after I've completed the nose work.
These instructions are not intended for competition. if you want to compete AND get a ribbon,
the technique is MUCH more involved.
The deer here is just a commercial mount.

The last shot is just roughing up the mannikin with a stiff wire brush.
There are a lot of different ways to remove the mold release wax, but this is the method I've found that works best for me.

[Lisa M]

I think this is JUST ABOUT AWESOME BOBBI!  You answered some questions newb's don't even know they'll think about asking.    Sweet of you to take the time.  Just nominated it for the Tutorial Category Sunshine!  Good job!

[Bobbi Meyer]

I wouldn't want to be Ken, having to sift through all the things people have posted on here...that might take some time.

[Monkey Man]

Thanks for posting that.

[oldterryr]

ozark woods makes a tool for poking thousands of holes in exterior of manniken that i have switched to - gives the glue somewhere to go (down into manniken) - i really like it better than brush

good tutorial bobbi

[Bobbi Meyer]

Hey Terry, on my tutorial for mounting a deer you'll notice lots of little holes in the mannikin....I took out my frustrations on it with one of those meat tenderizer mallets...it seems to work pretty good too....and it's almost as much fun as the "whack a mole game!"

[Kenny]

thanks again, and keep up the great work.

[kevin scott]

Another great post Bobbi , thanks !

[joeym]

Good post Bobbi!