Trials and Tribulations of mounting that first animal.
So I have plenty of experience in form altering, sculpting, accuracy, skinning, tanning, etc.
I measured my animal's carcass after skinning. I did not measure the skin. I figured this was the way they all want you to do it (it always shows an animal being measured, not a skin).
BUT I never thought if I ordered a mannequin with the right measurements, of the right species, that it would be WAY too big.
I test-fit the skin on the mannequin. The skin was not yet tanned - but it was well fleshed - because many people say "if you can't get it on the form in normal size, it sure won't stretch; never attempt to put too small askin on too large a mannequin".
So I'd already inserted the eyes, and then I ended up having to cut the head down. The head was too wide and too long. This form is already in 6 bits, each customized (read: shaved down!) and I'm already tossing the rear legs as they are WAY too big. Fronts are ok, tail should be fine, body is way too big so it will get tossed too.
Should I just pedestal mount and go to eBay with the creation (everyone on the forum can say it looks like it has aids, LOL!)? Or carcass cast (which would be the same effectiveness as making the body from lumps of mache in the hand)?
On a happy note, the pelt AND the base are both awesome! *so far*
Product review. Breakthrough says insert eyes with clay. So I got the WASCO clay. I do not like it. It shrunk, cracked, and the eyes fell out 18 hours after setting. I will not use it again. The eyes have been reset in mache.
That is all, taxidermy seems to be a royal pain in the butt (hopefully worth the effort). Kudos to all you guys and gals who actually put up with this for a living.
BTW I figure I'll get something mounted before I go joining associations and stuff. I do have the Breakthrough mammal manual [not impressed, but the section on spltiting lips is good.] This forum is much better than the manual (and free, I feel like such a schmuck for buying the book)!
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Well, I sense that you are feeling a bit perturbed right now. You are not alone. Most of use can recall something in our past that would read much like your experience. Some things to keep in mind: most mannikins are sized by only 3 measurements but actual animals have many more measurements than that. keeping the carcase for comparison to the form can help a lot with those commonly needed alterations. when preping the form it is absolutly necessary to "slot" the legs where skin will have to be pushed- otherwise you can't pull the skin into position and especially the back legs will not fit. when measuring be as accurate as possible and whenever you can, go with a smaller size (length). Finally, don't be disheartened. If you want to take a break from this put the fox in the freezer and do some more reading in the search section, watch someone do a mount at your state association meeting or check out the miraculous world of video! Oh yea, don't forget to enjoy- life is short, Aaron H.
...presetting eyes isnt! Pop them into that WASCO clay and then go on with the mount. You need to be able to move the eye around at first.
And had you used a real name and address, I'd not have used this forum to question your statements. If your measurements were even close, the amount of modifications you mention would not have been necessary. I measure ALL my animals before I actually skin them (I keep the tape taut) and SOMETIMES a length may be off or a circumference may be too big, but never to the degree you've stated. Using a bobcat on a lynx form or a fox on a coyote form, MAYBE, but I've never heard of anything to this degree. All catalogs explain in words and diagrams exactly how their forms are measured and I've yet to find one that differed from those listed in the catalog.
As for the clay, I don't know what you were doing or what you expected. CLAY IS CLAY. Even Critter Clay will disbond after it dries. The clay is supposed to be use immediately prior to installing the hide on the mannikin. If you decided to leave it until a week later, it wouldn't have mattered what brand you used.
I sense you took a bigger bite of something than you were able to swallow. A GREEN hide will always fit on a form half size bigger than a tanned hide will. A poorly tanned hide or acid swelled hide will be way too small for the correct mannikin.
Your Quote...
"I do have the Breakthrough mammal manual [not impressed],"...
ROTFLMAO.
Like YOU can write, photograph abd create a 'better one'>...when you can't even stretch a skin on a mannikin?...LOL.
You remind me of the story...
Lady goes into the corner butcher shop. Tells the butcher..."I vant a big chicken for dinner tonight".
Butcher says..."You're in luck. It's not big...but I have one left".
Lady says..."I vant to see da chicken".
Butcher take chicken out of the cooler case...lays it on the counter.
Lady picks up the chicken...Sniffs under one wing...sniffs under the other wing...sniffs under one leg...sniffs under the other leg...then sniffs the part that goes over the fence last.
She throws it back on the counter and says..."This chicken stinks!"
The butcher replies..."Mrs. Cullhagan...perhaps YOU can pass this test?"
~ ETCC
I have had some forms, especially from a particular supplier, that were not proportioned well at all, mainly the bobcats. The eye-to-nose, nose to tail, and circumference were ok, but that's it! The shoulders/hips were wayyy to wide and the legs wayyy too thick. Definitely worth the extra money to go with a 'name brand' sculptor. And, over time, you'll find what fits animals from your region best. Ask around and find out what forms people recommend, too. Best of luck!
ETCC---funny! =)
How the **** could you ****ing set eyes hours before mounting....OMG!