I have a very large reproduction set of Dall sheep horns (43" curls) and I was wondering if I could ask for some basic help painting or staining them. I'm just starting out, so I don't know the first thing about it. They look to be a prefessional set from a taxidermy supply house and they have a yellow color to them. I'd like to get a natural dark "honey" color to the horns and the bone color on the skull for a euro mount. I suspect I can just paint the skull with my regular paint, but I didn't know how to go about the process of giving the horns their natural colors. I really like the idea of giving the low spots a darker color and the high spots a little lighter color, but wasn't sure an airbrush would be the right equipment for the job. These repro horns are pricey, so I don't want to ruin them with a half a$$ paintjob. They will eventually be mounted on a Dall sheep cape, but until I get one, the euro mount will have to do. I would appreciate any help you can offer.
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tube oil paints available at art supply stores, Michaels, etc. apply thin washes with a brush . Thin the paint with acetone or lacquer thinner by dipping brush in thinner then stirring tiny amounts of paint into a thin wash. A paper makes a good palette to work from. Make that a paper plate. Then rub with a soft rag. Keep adding layers till you are satisfied. If you dont like what what you get clean it all off with thinner and start over. When done seal with Krylon #1311 matte finish.