painting black bear mouth

[bradclovis]

I know the old forum is packed with info but i'm set to paint this black bear and was hoping for some input on how to do it properly with correct coloring and such.  Is there a link or something to a good paint job?  If not I'll be happy to wait for the old forums.  Thanks, brad

[JL]

Brad...the mouth of a black bear is fairly light in color, and I like to paint as much of the mouth as I can before mounting. I use Dusty Pink with just a couple of drops of Dark Brown mixed in to tone it down some. Most of the jaw colors I see made up are too dark for a black bear.After you paint the outside of the lips  I mist a little dark brown at the skin-hair line to darken the transition.Then gloss for a wet look.Hope this helps. Get some good reference pictures from the suppliers and go with that. Good luck....JL

[JL]

Brad...the mouth of a black bear is fairly light in color, and I like to paint as much of the mouth as I can before mounting. I use Dusty Pink with just a couple of drops of Dark Brown mixed in to tone it down some. Most of the jaw colors I see made up are too dark for a black bear.After you paint the outside of the lips  I mist a little dark brown at the skin-hair line to darken the transition.Then gloss for a wet look.Hope this helps. Get some good reference pictures from the suppliers and go with that. Good luck....JL

[Tenbears]

Bear mouth can very greatly in the coloration. but to gain proper prospective of the coloration one need to examine quality reference photos of live bear, or live bear themselves.  I was very fortunate in y younger years to have had a friend who owned several live black bear, and one Grizzly. I studied them extensively, and took many photos.
 However What I have discovered is this. if a taxidermist colors the mouth of a bear exactly as that of the average bear. the majority of people will find it unattractive. the stark contrast of a bears mouth tends to Draw the eye of an observer to that point. causing them to miss the overall splendor of the entire animal.
 JL'S description of dusky pink muted with dark brown gives the mouth a much more subtile appearance.   I like to also do a bit of muting especially on the pallet by dustion from a steep angle with a bit of black. and fade the gums at the tooth base from black to blueberry violet, then into the dusky pink.  these are not hard fast rules. just what I have discovered pleases the customers. things may be different in your area.
 Study your reference photos, and develop what suits you best.