Making Rocks

[Charlie Barberini]

what do you use rocks that are light but can hold a duck and a small mammal.

[Matt]

For small mammals or birds, I carve mine out of foam and resin a piece of wood in them for attachment. Carving your own gives you the freedom to create a rock that fits your needs.

[Keith. C]

Yup foam I will start out with a piece of plywood in the shape that I want the bottom of the rocks to be then I staple cardboard around the edge, to make a dam ...pour expanding foam in then start carving, Plywood is allready stuck to the bottom, then just coat with your favorite rock mix , If I need something to mount to I will build it before I pour the foam let the foam completly cove it, then just carve to it.

[foxtrapper365]

what kinda foam do u use and where can u get it

[Keith. C]

I get mine from a local Store...Tap Plastics, but any Taxidermy Supplier will have the two part Urethane Foam. WASCO has it the item # is

WASCO X.R. Urethane Foam
This is a 2.5 lb. density two-component urethane foam. Simply mix equal amounts of part A and part B (1 to 1 ratio by weight). Foam will expand within minutes and harden within an hour. Excellent for building up bases for habitat construction. Also great for mannikin alterations.



Code     Description    Price
UF1       1 lb. Kit     15.95
UF5       5 lb. Kit     32.95
UF20     20 lb. Kit     89.95

[foxtrapper365]

thanks

[Keith. C]

No problem post some pics when you get one done...would like to check it out.

[Bagger99]

Keith, is there any particular paints that you use or colors?

[Keith. C]

Sorry I have not checked this thread for a while....yes I always use Powdered Tempera Paints. After you carve your rocks you want to use a rock mix to coat them, This as it starts to set up you can carve grooves and cracks to make the rock look weathered here is a link to the Rock Mix
http://www.rmi-online.com/index.php/cPath/11

And when I first mix the water with my rock mix I like to mix in a little brown or black Tempera paint, Just to give it a little base color, But after that you can brush the tempera on or use it in a spray bottle ...there all all kinds of provine methods and they all work well, Here is a link to the Tempera Paints
http://www.rmi-online.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Paint

Black
Brown
Green
Gold
Red are all common Colors, it just depends on what color rock your after. You can really make them look realistic, if you want like a spec look like some rocks have mix up your desired color with water dip like a 1.5 or 2" brush in stand back a little and flick the brush at the rock, Practice this a few times before you actually hit the rock, it gives a very real look, I like Gold and reds..or even brown for this step, You can also do a bit of dry brushing.  Hope I was of some help to you.

[Riverdale Taxidermy]

here's great tutuorial on molding them and painting them http://www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,39157.0.html

[runingun]

Just finished my first wall rock for a step down Bobcat.I was surprised at how good it came out.Painted with thinned Tempra paints and it looks like a real rock.