I'me mounting my first Groundhog i'me not sure what to do with the feet .I've done a squirl and 2 deer heads so far .I'me taning with Lutan F,
Do I need to inject the pads with something? (With the squirl I used Instapresuve.)
Shoud I Skin the fingers down to the last joint? Any Info would be appreciated Allso any tip's on eye's,ears,lips,teeth woud be appreciated To.
Thenks Ed
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Ed, More than one way to do this but I would skin down to the claws, break off most or all of the foot on the mannikin and fill the feet with clay. I think it's much easier to get a natural foot this way. Ears I would split and set them up with Apoxie-sculpt as you mount the critter. Eyes...?think "squirrel" as indeed a groundhog is a ground squirrel. Lips, thin completely and use a thin layer of Apoxie around mouth to help hold the shape of the lips for a softer look. I would use the natural teeth, drill out room for the roots in the mannikin prior to mounting, fill that area with Apoxie through the mouth as you mount the animal. Insert the teeth and position the lips adjusting the teeth as needed before the Apoxie sets. Use some good photos as you go. Like I said, more than one way to do all of this but this works for me. Enjoy, Aaron H.
Following his Ideas will deffinatly help you make a better mount. I know Arron got hurried when he was telling you how to do the feet though. you skin them to the claws. but you leave the toe bones intact. You put clay or caulk into the feet and break the end of the foot off the form as you will not need it now.
Also. The pads of the feet sold be thinned. You can take a small pair of scissors and cut the fleshy material from the inside of the pads. a little clay or caulk will take its place. Just try not to over stuff or pump up the feet to much. Clay does work very good for all this, I use a liitle caulk and clay together. You can then invert the feet and work the feet from the outside back into shape. use referance pictures. they toes really look bony from the outside.
Also. the real teeth is a great touch on a squirrel. It really brings the real look to them. The lips are very thin, make very thin tucking groves. use a thin layer of clay around the eyes and sculpt the eye lids. epoxy sculpt works great in the ears, you will like the way they turn out. turning the ears is a little tuffer, but if you use a syringe with water you can pump them ful of water to seperate them better.
Just use referance a lot. have fun
Thanks Gyes
You have both bin verry helpful
(PS Steve I like the idea with the Syringe on the ears,do you think that will work on deer ears)