I am mounting a wood duck tomorrow and i wanted to know if i should cut the eyelids off of the bird skin since i am using frank newmeyers apex head with the eyelids already molded on the artificial head. If i should cut them out, should i just zap a gap the skin right up to the eyelid? Thanks
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I would cut the lids off.. i dont think i would use any glue though..too messy. if the eye skin is good and wet then it will probably stick where you put it. I think it would be the same as just sticking the eye lid to the glass eye. If the skin were to move i dont think it would be much and i would just use some epoxy to blend into the eye ring. Good luck
wait as long as possible before cutting off the eyelid, otherwise the eye area will dry out faster and it will be harder to taxi the skin where you want it when you go to finish your eyes.
And I'm well aware that I do commercial and not competition work, HOWEVER, when you cut that eyering, you've removed the only connective tissue holding the eye skin in place. The skin will tear more easily without the eyering than with it and I've found that the artificial rings cover it once it "snaps" around underneath anyway. Just my opinion, however.
I do the same as George. Leave the eyering and just taxi them in behind your artificial eye rings. There should be plenty of room.
I am not sure about leaving it there because there is no slot to tuck the lid into. SHould i try to roll it under the skin and taxi that in place? Thanks
That's were your appoxie sculpt comes into play...Tuck it into that, also if you use caulking on the head, that will give you something to tuck with...
I have't used Franks eyes but i use the flex eyes and i just tuck the lids in behind the frake rings when they dry they will pull in tight.