I must have read a thousand posts on this great site before I attempted this shoulder mount. Couldn't have done it without all you guys. Now if you would take a look at my first mount, I would appreciate your critiques. I know there are many mistakes, the ears are badly damaged. Any tips on repairing them? I probably didn't build the eye sockets up with enough clay and I don't think the face looks right; there should be more contour or character in the face. Something is missing. Did I slope the antlers back too far? I haven't finished the nose yet and I have done no painting. I have no idea how to paint. This was a kit from Van Dykes and they supplied three vials of paint and a paint brush. For the life of me, I can't figure out how to paint a whitetail with a paint brush. BTW, this is my own deer. Wouldn't do this to a friends buck! All-in-all, I don't think it's too bad for my first but let me have it. What are your thoughts. Take a look at, http://photos.yahoo.com/longest_ball
Thanks a lot,
Joe
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pretty good first attempt. I few tips, get good quality reference and really study it, secondly, subscribe to Taxidermy Today and Breakthrough, thirdly, join your state taxidemry association. For your first attempt, it looked pretty good. The reason for number one, when you look at reference and try to copy it, you'll see the areas that need work. If you're serious, TT and BT will help you out a ton. Joining the association, if you work it to your benefit, will open doors to people who can and usually will help you out. If there is anything I can do to help, let me know.
Kind of looked like you didn't tuck your lips in far enough. I just did my first mount a few days ago and was just fixing some things that I had done wrong(including not tucking my lips far enough) From what I have seen and been told you shouldn't be able to see the lips at all just right under the nose. Other than that it looked pretty good. I had the same problem with my ears coming apart like that to so don't feel bad. I don't know how to fix that either so if some one has a remedy I could sure use it to! I have a wet tanned cape and the ears came apart beautifully but the mount I did was dry tanned and the ears shredded. Don't know if it's the tan that's responsible or me but I would like to know how to fix it. I think you did a pretty good job Joe! Keep up the good work, and remember practice makes perfect!
Thanks Greg and Jessica. I welcome all criticism. Constructive criticism and practice will only help me to improve. Would anybody else care to offer their opinion?
Thanks,
Joe
Not one to judge, but just curious, on the ears why is it pink at the inner base and then pink again at the tip for? you ever think of getting an airbrush it works great on ears. other than that yes the lips need tucked in a little more, but hey looks good for first one man, good luck in the future.
Hey Jessie and Joe, You can fix those ears with All-Game. It's an epoxy that sorta looks transluciant, then lightly airbrush it to blend with your ears. I had a few small holes in my one ear and I bet you can't find it plus that way when you shine a light through the ear you will never detect it. I can send pics if you need help. Looks pretty good for first time. Good Luck
Thanks Nancy and Chuck. I will look into All-Game. Someone told me you could also glue on some fabric softener sheet or even tissue paper. Then cover with a little bit of cotton ball set into a very light film of adhesive. When the adhesive cures, pull the cotton ball away to give a light hairlike appearance. What do you think? I think that might look a little too hairy for the inside of the ear.
Thanks for the advice. Can't wait for my second one. Unfortunately I'll have too wait till fall. I have definitely caught the bug!
Joe