Here's some pictures of my work from last year and this. I'm particularly interested in the critique on the elk as it is my first one. Be honest since I don't compete and have a chance to get a judges critique. Here's the link.
http://ipics.iland.net/bmeyer/cat_admin.php?id=531
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I am not a judge by any means....Your work looks decent to me...but I find it hard to critique from the photos....They are too far away to see the details...Anyhow, the general view is pleasing.
I do not know why you do not compete...that will give you the best critique you can get. Either way, good luck to you!
You asked for it, so here goes: The elk photos were too dark to see well enough to comment on. The deer looked pretty good, but I notieced some problems: The leg-pit area was out of place on almost every mount with the white pit area stretched up onto the front of the shoulder, a common problem I see on many mount. I noticed a lack of muscle definition. The ear color didn't look right. It apreared faded like it wasn't painted and finished off. That could be the photo though.
did you click on the full size view on the bottom of the pic?
I guess it's just my opinion but i don't prefer the shiney anlers. the rest looks great.
I guess it's just my opinion but i don't prefer the shiney anlers. the rest looks great.
just have Old English spray on them, they dry out pretty flat.
I would only add a couple comments...and again it is hard from the photos due to thier resolution, and yes I did look at the full size view.
I did not see any white in the eyes...most times deer will show white, particularly at the rear of the eye.
Your hair lines weren't bad, just the leg-pits to watch.
As far as muscle toning, just use sandpaper and enhance the depth of the muscle lines on the forms. With thicker winter hides the hair often hides much of the toning, sanding it out just a bit will make a big difference. Another option might be to groom the hair to add some toning (this sometimes works).
I would suggest painting the inside of the ears, use a light flesh as a base and then lightly mist some brown over it along the hair lines...good references photos will likely show you what I mean better then me explaining it.
Around your eyes looks realy black (this may be the photos)...do you use black paint to finish once your apoxie around them? If so, I would suggest using a dark brown...too much contrast alarms the eye rather then soothes it. In nature, there is very little true black...lots of dark browns though.
And finally, try some armour all on your antlers...it adds richness and depth to the colour, but does not leave any shine...or, I have just started using Trent Meyer's Antler and Horn Conditioner and this works/looks great and you want to try it instead.
Again, nice work...I am just commenting because you asked...just consider these comments from the peanut gallery...LOL
Just for the record, I didn't mean that as a negetive. When I was looking at them I thought the first pic was the full size. Shows my pc talent.......lol
all the tips. that's one thing about getting a second,third,fourth opinion. Problems that I didn't see before I can now that I've got some more opinions. Thanks again and hopefully when I post the pics for next year you'll see a marked improvement in my work.