I am finishing out my first deer head. I need some guidance from the experienced. I planned to use burnt umber color for touchup around his eyes. My question is: Polytranspar water-base or an oil base in a tube? Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
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You will find that water based paints for our business is the only way to go.
Once it dries it can easily be removed from the hair.
Oil paints can stain the hair permanetly.
For proper aplication of any paints on a mammal you should use an air brush so you can apply it in layers & evenly as needed.
Oil base tube paints work nicely as well. I've only been at it a few years, but I personally get my best results using an Paashe airbrush for the ears..(polytranspar oil based colors).
Around the eyes and on the nose pad I use hand brushes and oil based paints in the tube. (Georgian paints I believe).
I can best blend my eyes with the hand brushes using a stippling technique to blend.
On the nose I use a mix of flesh tint to faintly paint the creases, then work from darker gray at the bottom of the nose, into a black top.
Try what works for you, and see what results you like best. I also have found that the better job you do on prepping and mounting, the LESS painting you will need to do to make the animal come alive.
is my personal choice. Fast drying, also cleans up easy with laquer thinner, most do not need thinned.