I have searched the archives and found some similiar questions answered but not the exact info that I am looking for. First, for the record, I am 90 % sure that I don't have plans to make a business out of taxidermy. As someone else stated on tis forum, I consider myself a hobbydermist. My second whitetail mount is drying now (the other was completed a year ago. My question is, do all taxidermists paint the area around the eyes on every mount? Maybe I am just lucky that I got deer with good color, but both of the mounts look really natural without any painting around the eyes. The only painting I did on the first was the lip area, the nose, and the ears need it but I haven't done it yet. The second mount looks to need the same treatment with nothing needed around the eyes. I want to do quality work and I have about 40 hours of actual labor in each mount (I am terribly slow) including caping, fleshing, salting, tanning, putting it all together, and adjusting during drying. I mention this to show that I am not merely trying to throw it together and get it out the door. I am just not sure that it looks better now than it would if I tried to paint it. I want my stuff to look professional even though it is not for $$ (just me and a few friends). Damn good friends too at 40 hours a head.
Just wanted some opinions as to whether all mounts need the eye area painted, and thought I would throw in a bunch of info you don't need.
Thanks,
Jeff
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to get the look you want and your reference pics should dictate that but keep in mind that deer vary in color around the eye and it is far more important to get the right shape and look to it. The idea is to paint the eye but so it does'nt look painted. Good luck.
Thanks for your reply. I don't have reference pics as such, just lots of hunting mags and the Missouri Conservationist. Like you said, they vary a lot from deer to deer. I think mine look good without paint but I just don't want someone looking at it and saying, "that lazy %$#@ didn't even paint the eyes. Also, I was unsure how good they will look 5 years from now without being painted.
Thanks again,
Jeff
Thats the cool thing about being a hobbiest Jeff , its your choice to paint around the eyes or not paint around the eyes . If you think that the mount looks good just the way it is , so be it ! If ya look at it 5 years from now and decide that it needs a bit of paint , go for it ! I wouldent worry to much about someone thinking that your lazy for not painting around the eyes , how many folks know about this technique in the first place ? I swear that there are those that think taxidermists hack off the head and soak the whole thing in some kind of magical preserving solution ! Keep on enjoying your hobby , thats what counts !
Ron
You can find some really good,free references at www.TaxidermyReference.com. They also send you to more free references from microtan. Great photos, ready for printing and saving for future reference. Won't touch the eye question cuz I'm just The Rookie and prefer to let the masters deal with these issues. As far as the 40hours is concerned , enjoy every minute of it, you can't rush art.ENJOY!