My eyes look very good on the work I do for my customers; however, I would like to take my eyelids up a notch for my competition deer this year. My problem is that I just can't seem to get the fullness (plump look) that a real deer's eyelids show in the area between the eyelashes and the actual eyeball. I do split the eylids thoroughly and remove the the glands at the root of the eyelashes. Is there a way to get this plump look on a mounted deer? Granted I do understand that we are taxidermists and not God or mother nature and some things just can't be exactly like they are on a real animal. I tried to find something in the archives, but didn't have any luck. Thanks for everyones input.
Chris
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I put the clay in around the eyes after i have the cape on and sewn up. I put one roll in for the purpose of forming the eyelid and surrouonding areas and then i roll up a small roll about 1/16 in diameter and about 1 3/4 long. i place it right where the eyelash roots are and tuck the skin making sure the clay stays in where the fatty tissue at the eyelash roots used to be.
Chris,
Yep, that's the way you do it. Split the lid and remove the matter that's there, and be sure to shave the skin that you've left for tucking. Getting the plump look is achieved with the proper application of clay,and shaving the skin really thin around the eye, especially the upper part where the crease will be. Good close up reference is the only way to reproduce this look. Just don't get carried away with the clay!
Chris,
After reading the previous post, I wanted to mention my method of doing the clay work. I do my eyes before putting the cape on the form. I want the clay to have some time to set up and become firm. It's a lot easier to apply the skin to the detail you have moldeled in, if it's firm rather than soft. Timing is important with this method, so if the clay gets too hard, just squirt a little water on it, and , or, put a plastic bag over the head to slow down the drying.
have any tips or techniques? I was kind of leaning that direction myself with the idea of a very small roll of clay put directly on the eyelash roots before tucking. Bruce I too like to rough shape my clay work and then allow it to set just a little before I slide the cape on.
Thanks
Chris
In the Mackenzie catalog there is a tip clip for positive eye sets it gives you the idea for building your eyes up for eyelids with clay.
What i like to do is pull the hide over the form and get the neck up over the head like you would mount anyhead then i pull the face down and thats when i do my eyes and clay work that way pulling the hide up over the eye clay doesnt flatten it out after the mount is done i get the eyes close because of them being so wet i dont even form them till the next day i tuck the lids but everything else is done next day.
hope this helps you also