Painting Bills

Submitted by Tim on 12/3/04 at 9:00 PM. ( ) 216.160.233.32

I'm doing my 1st Widgeon that I was lucky enough to get the other day. I have painted the bead but I can't get a good definate line with my airbrush. I am using water base paint. I have noticed that it is more difficult to use then laqure paints but I just don't like the health hazards with laqure.

Anyway what method can I use without it looking like I took a paint brush to it.

Anyway here is a pic of it http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/1358Widgeon_Head-med.jpg?1932 if you want to see it. Maybe it is acceptable the way it is, but if I can make it better I would sure like to try.

Thanx, Tim

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use a brush

This response submitted by jon on 12/3/04 at 9:04 PM. ( jonathan@harlequintaxidermy.com ) 68.113.208.161

Use a small brush and put in your hard lines. then airbrush up to them. Don't forget to darken your nostrils.

Jon


add a little white/gray to that blue

This response submitted by mike on 12/3/04 at 9:27 PM. ( ) 64.136.27.226

The blue looks a little too bright. Lightly add a little white/gray, and that blue will look much more natural. To get your crisp black lines, just move in closer with the airbrush and hold it at a sharp angle. Hope this helps. Congrats on the nice widgeon, they are hard to come by!


Use brush

This response submitted by jim Burnside on 12/4/04 at 12:25 AM. ( ) 63.17.156.141

Jon is right if you can't get the fine line with your air brush use a small tip brush .
I switched to water base paints a few years ago due to health reasons myself and also I use Iwata HP-C and have no trouble with the very fine lines . For some reason the Wildlife Colors paints seem to work the best also for me


Take a pic

This response submitted by Triple BB on 12/4/04 at 1:18 AM. ( ) 67.234.137.155

If you're mounting your own birds, keep a disposable camera in your vehicle. Take a pic immediately after you kill the bird and you'll find it very easy to color match feet and bills. I've painted some bills that didn't look quite right color wise, but you look at the pic's and they match up perfect, which is what I'm looking for.


A BIG THANX

This response submitted by Tim on 12/4/04 at 11:27 AM. ( ) 216.160.233.32

for all the great tips. A ppreciate it a lot.
Tim


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