I recently completed my second deer mount and had a problem on #2 that I had on #1.....at least I think it was a problem.
The forms I ordered for each cape fit quite well....except for the mouth. While running the Dremel along the lip line to make room for the tuck, I found that I had to extend the lip line about an inch on each form because the mouth on the cape was that much longer.
(I HOPE THAT JUST MADE SENSE!)
Anyway, since the forms I have purchased have been from a reputable supplier, I would assume that they are anatomically correct.
Does this extra length of "lip" just need to be tucked in......or is it normal to have to extend the lip line on the form?
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Wolf if you measured your cape before tanning and ordered a form with the correct measurements,you need to work that lip line and get it tucked in the length that's on the form.Now I hope that made sense,lol.The animals skin wasn't "tight"when it was on the animal originally so your job is to put it back where it was,not the streached out version.I usually start in the back corner of the mouth and make 2 tucks going toward the front of the mannikin and then go to the center of the mouth and tuck towards the back.You'll see that you won't have any trouble aligning the skin.
Makes sense......
The lip line is correct on the form, all that extra lip skin has to go back in there, it has just been stretched out during the tanning process. You have to learn how to put it back in there. That will give you a nice soft looked, you don't want it to look like it's lips are stretched out. Start at the front, and tuck a little bit, then do each corner, the rest in between has to be worked in, it will go there and look fine, you just need to keep working on it to get it smooth and soft looking. Good luck,
Have you thought about maybe: rolling out a line of potter's clay(about 1/2-3/4 the size of a pencil that will run all the way around the outside of the upper lip-except for the center front nose pad area uses 1/4 as much), applying glue to the form(before positioning the clay), and carefully tucking in the lips. This ISN'T meant to make the mouth any bigger or longer, but after finishing the mounting process- you can smooth and shape the clay to make a better transition for a more natural(smooth) look for the lips and will help hold the "wiskers" in place too.-Just a hint -hope it helps you out. -Susan
From McKenzie, And your lips are longer than the length on the form take a sharp knife cut the roll(smile) off of the upper lip and than cut/shave the last inch of the lip line and move it back to the desired length. Glue it back on the form and re sculpt the missing piece with epoxie or clay. I have deer come in with that short of a lip line but that is not the case or norm on most of the North eastern bucks I do. But As you gain the expeirence you will know when the head or lip line of some forms are better to use than others .You may also if not confident in they way you lengthen the lip line order a change out head with the propper length lip line. Hope this helps..
From McKenzie, And your lips are longer than the length on the form take a sharp knife cut the roll(smile) off of the upper lip and than cut/shave the last inch of the lip line and move it back to the desired length. Glue it back on the form and re sculpt the missing piece with epoxie or clay. I have deer come in with that short of a lip line but that is not the case or norm on most of the North eastern bucks I do. But As you gain the expeirence you will know when the head or lip line of some forms are better to use than others .You may also if not confident in they way you lengthen the lip line order a change out head with the propper length lip line. Hope this helps..
From McKenzie, And your lips are longer than the length on the form take a sharp knife cut the roll(smile) off of the upper lip and than cut/shave the last inch of the lip line and move it back to the desired length. Glue it back on the form and re sculpt the missing piece with epoxie or clay. I have deer come in with that short of a lip line but that is not the case or norm on most of the North eastern bucks I do. But As you gain the expeirence you will know when the head or lip line of some forms are better to use than others .You may also if not confident in they way you lengthen the lip line order a change out head with the propper length lip line. Hope this helps..
Pull that extra lip forward and tuck it into the corner of the mouth.Works for me.
that is a COMMON beginners mistake - i poisiton the nose pad with a t pin and then tuck the rear and then the front 1/4 and push the rest in in the middle - it will all fit back in there - a trick to not get pucker where the upper and lower lip touch (in the rear) is to make your dremel cut 2 to 3 times as wide in the coner of the mouth - you cant see it when the animal is mounted but it sure makes it easier getting a transition in the corner of the mouth