So far every Drake Mallard I've mounted I've painted a yellow bill on. Today I mounted one up that had a olive bill. How do I acheive this color with lifetone paints? I've been using yellow ochre on all the Northern Mallards and it matches perfectly, however this is the first local I'm attempting.
Yellow Ochre & Sailfish Blue maybe with some Jet Black?
What do you guys do? Or does one just paint them all yellow. It is a customer bird.
Thanks
Return to Bird Taxidermy Category Menu
The green color is hooker's green or Polytranspar Mallard Yellow Green....I use this color sparingly. Most people think of Mallard bills as being yellow...not green. I use the Mallard Yellow green to add contrast to the bill...not paint it a solid color.
Jim is on the right track by saying not to paint it a solid color. Start with a yellow and then highlight it with darker shades of greens and browns to achieve the color that you are after. The highlight colors with just be misted over the yellow.
It isn't about what specific color yellow, or green, or whatever to use.. as there are so many differnt shades that can achive the same result. Play around with it using the colors you have until you match your reference.
have fun,
Jon
Unfortunately (or fortunately as the case may be) bird bill colors are never exactly the same. Mallard bill colors change from bird. I use mallard yellow green and lighten it with other yellow colors depending on the original color of the customers bird. If the color has faded to the point it is not usuable as a reference, I paint a base color and sealer from white to gray depending on what I have. I then use yellow ochre and then over spray (tint)with mallard yellow green to match the original. It works well for me. There are a number of different paint schedules published in reference materal available through the various supply dealers that can also help. Also, mallard yellow green by one manufacture may not be the same color as mallard yellow green made by another - it it advisible to test the colors first.