I use to tuck the eyelids of my deer. But after using a manikin with the eyes set in it already I stoped tucking them and just used hide paste. It seems to work alright and I havn't had any complaints, but in the back of my head it seems like I'm doing something wrong. If I start tucking them again, should the clay be put on just before I put the hide on so its wet? it seems to me thats the only way to be able to tuck the eyelids in and if tucking is the standard, why would they sell forms with the eyes already set? I just like to do things the wright way.
Thanks
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The first deer I did was with pre-set eyes and I have not done one since. If Pre-set eyes work for you and your customers like them, why change? I like manikins that don't have pre-set eyes so I use clay, and I like setting eyes to get a look I want, not a pre-set look.
Which way is right? The way that works best for you.
You can take a thin modeling tool and work it under the foam aound the eyes to create space for tucking.
Proceed carefully, as you can break pieces of the foam out if careless.
Thanks for the response, I am wanting to create my own lids and I'm guessing that the clay needs to be wet when I tuck the lid between the clay and the glass eye, am I on the right track?
Preset eyes is just another way to help market a product. They can work fine but you don't have any flexability for changing eye expression. It is mainly done for those that have a tough time setting eyes.Your answer to having the clay wet is yes. Make sure when prepping capes and lids are split and the eye glands are fleshed out completely and THIN. If not it will pull away and have shrinkage problems. Set your eyes and sculpt your lids. Put on hide past.When you tuck the lids you only need about 1/8 of inner lid to tuck. If done right there is almost no shrinkage and hardly any epoxy sculpt needed.
Thanks Dean, I appreciate the help.
I like useing clay because differant form expressions cause eyes to be differant some eyes are wide open others are closed alittle for example McKenzies agressive head down I like to leave eyes closed alot more than a semi sneak head up clay allows this to be done presets don't hope this helps
I quit using clay around the eyes years ago. Now I eithor buy preset eyes or set the eyes using Majic Scaulpt and let it harden before mounting. I shave the eyelids very thin removing the inner eye socket membrane. I use Buckeye Supremem on the face and glue the eyes lids in place. It takes me a fraction of the time do the eyes now compared to using clay and I don't have to worry about the clay shriking and things moving around. I just use a little brown Majic Scaulpt around the eyes after it's dry to fill in any openings and form the nictitating membraine and then paint it lightly with brown paint. A little Liquide Crystal around the edge of the eyelids and I'm done. In my opinion, using clay around the eyes is outdated taxidermy.