I am not a taxidermist but I have an deer skull that I'd like to give a "tar pit finish". Can anyone offer advice or techniques to achieve that sort of look.
Thanks in advance
ccm
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Mix raw umber and black and apply your base coat...
apply a glaze consistency coat (thicker than a wash but not as thick as a base coat) of black and work it over the surface with a rag. Be sure to leave it blotchy.
Use Acrylic paint for the base coat. Try Van Dyke Brown (not to be confused with Van Dyke's Supply Co). You can also use burnt umber with a touch of dioxene purple added (there is no true black in nature). It is always best to apply two thin coats of acrylic instead of one heavy one. Transparent or translucent acrylics are best for the purpose. Golden's for instance.
After the acrylic dries, apply the overcoat using use black alkyd thinned with mineral spirits for staining. Brush on the thinned pigment and wipe away excess with a rag made from an old tee shirt. The mineral spirits based stain will not have any effect on the acrylic, but will impart a rich and deep finish to the work.
Let dry for several days, buff with a clean cloth and either spray with matte finish or wax with any quality silicone car finish.
Gander Mountain..Marsh yellow...spray can...$3.99