For some strange reason I don't remeber the color of the feet when I mounted this bird. The feet are now black, Im guessing they were light gray with brown stripes? Anyone know of a link that would show a reference? Can't seem to find the info on the net.
Thanks for any help!
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TJ, that must be one ugly @$$ bird.You mounted it without a stick of reference.At this point it don't matter what color you paint the feet.Just make it up like you did everything else.Let me share some information with all the computer geeks.THEY STILL HAVE PUBLIC LIBRARIES! That's right. Libraries have books that you can borrow for over a week.Supply companies sell reference pictures of just about everything. Get the goods on your subject BEFORE you mount it. Live reference is the best how-to manual.
Kinda harsh don't you think Mr/Mrs Sims? I personally have numerous photos of live birds that I use for reference that do not show detail enough to gain an accurate foot color... Granted I have done enough Cans that I know what their feet are generally suppose to look like. Still...I don't think his question warranted such a response.
TJ, check taxi.net under the reference tab. I think there are some photos of Canvasback feet there (I may be wrong) IF so, google the bird, and somewhere out there should be adequate reference photos for you to answer your question.
My interpretation of canvasback feet may be totally different from every other person out there... It's always best if you make your own judgement call on colors from accurate photo or like Mr/Mrs Sims said, the live bird. (I do understand that not everyone has the space or ability to keep a live Canvasback swimming in the bathtub but the interent or DU magazines are a great place to start.
GOod luck,
Jon
they are NOT listed on the reference tab.
SOrry.
Jon
Their feet are gray, but it's not a Blue gray. It's a Brown Gray. You can use a burnt Umber and highlight with black. Detailing between the scales can be done with Min-wax Ebony. Many Cans also have a yellow cast to them. If you choose to do this be careful not to use too much paint. You should probably use a transparent yellow to achieve this look. If you can see it going on it's probably too much. get back and barely mist. This is accomplished easier when you remove the legs inject and paint ahead of time.
behind your computer like a little Pu$$@ A$$ B!TC# and said it to my face. I'm pretty sure you would have found your self laid out on the floor. You know what just forget it I don't know why I ask questions on here anymore. Most of you guys are just out to make people look like idiots with your egos of I'm a better taxidermist than the rest of you. And ya know what I did mount my ugly a$$ bird without a stick of reference, why, because I've duck hunted my whole life and I know what a Canvasback looks like in the air so I don't need positioning references. I was just looking for a feet reference if that makes me stupid and a incapable taxidermist than so be it. I was just trying to get the guy a quality mount.
Have a nice day jerk! You can post your home address if you want me to come on down to fighterville. Yeah I didn't figure. Pussy!
A lesson for all don't make fun of ones livelyhood! Ya might get more than you bargain for.
I appreciate it.
You don't always have to be so nice! Ya know it all!
There's a select few that get very pissy about giving any sort of color scheme on this site and jump down the throat of anybody who does give some advice. They are usually the people who post without an sort of email address as well. I know this all too well. I'm with John, I have albums and albums of ref. pic's and for many species, I would be hard pressed to find the foot color. Infact, I've got a Red Breasted Merganser that should be interesting for me today!
My advice to you, is like above...Don't make them grey, blue/grey but more of a brown/grey and I also use the ebony stain to fill in the spaces on scales. When in doubt...White em' out, and just go from light to dark. Good Luck!
I am an avid bird hunter - It sounds like you are as well. I have accrued a huge library of bird refernce material and have much more money than I care to say invested in books and manuals. I have learned that they do not all agree with each other. A mallard bill from one area is different than another. mallard feet in early season are definitely different in color than late season - there are lots of color variations I just finished a group of three canvass backs from my area of the country. Their feet were very light in color. I have made is a practice to take pictures of the feet and bills of many differnt specimens just for my reference when the time comes. Those pictures in addition to the other reference seems to work for me. The canvass back feet from my area (Northwest) have a base color of diver gray and ivory - more diver grey. Scale detail is black umber. Webs and legs are darker - light spray of brown umber toe joints striped with black umber - toes black.
Do not be discouraged with the criptic and negative comments such as those above. many on this sight have been where you are and will help without the baggage. Just be selective on who you allow to influence you. Good Luck Craig Lewis
The initial comments made by TJ did not elicit the response given by Mr/Ms Sims, who criticized without any provocation, but TJ, why would you act that unprofessional after being insulted? Just let it roll off your back, like water off a duck. I salute Clewis, Jon and Tony for continuing to put forth a professional front to the bird category. And Tony, you are a breath of fresh air to the NTA on these forums - I admired the quick responce you gave concerning the recent uproar.
WA/FP33 Pintail Grey - medium base coat over the toes and tarsus
WA?FP32 Diver Grey - mist over the toes and tarsus with a light coat to lighten the dull grey.
WA/FP30 - spray the webs and accent the back of the tarsus, the joints and the notch area.
Mars Black - do a medium wash over feet for details
I lighten the grey.