I am having trouble getting my eyes on my deer to look right. They always seem to look too slanted.They all look chinese.(LOL)I tuck my eye skin in the clay. I have tried several different brands and sizes. I have a tough time getting them to have a open appearance. Do you need to stretch the eye hole before hand. I have to keep working the eye over and over to get them to look wide enough. It has been a problem on every deer I have mounted. What am I doing wrong ? Any help would be appreciated.
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Without insulting you, as I dont know your work...it could be the form, it could be skin alignment, antler setting, size and position of your earbutts, many things can contribute the the eyes and the skin around them.
I had that problem on a small buck I did. The form was from Van Dyke's, I believe it was the Bantam series. Although I haven't done many deer, this one turned out like you discibed-chinese looking.I haven't had one look that way since I quit using Van Dyke forms.I do think the eye holes shrink up a little after tanning, so gently opening them a little would help.
your antlers might be set to far back on the form, pulling the eyes closed. Bill is right, there are alot of things that can contribute to your problem. Post some more info, and I am sure we can help you out with out guessing.
I thought I would give a little more info. I am using the McKenzie tan. I am using critter clay for my eye set and ear butts. On the second day I can get them to open up better. On the first day I always have trouble getting them to open up wide enough. I am also using McKenzie forms on my deer. I appreciate all the input . Don't worry about insulting my work. I am a part timer and do it on the side. I am getting better with every deer I do. My work is already better than several local taxidermist that have been in business for years. I know Because I have some of their work to prove it. I had several deer mounted years ago. I did'nt realize how crappy they were until I got into taxidermy. They just run deer through their shop as fast as they can. They don't pay much attention to detail. Don't get me wrong there are some top notch taxidermist here also. Again I appreciate the help.
wide are you trying to get your eyes to open? I use McKenzie forms for all my deer. Now as far as the McKenzie tan, I never tried it. I am trying to get a picture of what you have as far as the eyes not wanting to open. Is the skin tight around the eyes or can you move it around? My guess, it's just a guess now, if everything is right and the skin moves freely you might be trying to get the eyes open too far or have the wrong shape to them. We'll get it figured out for you one way or another.
Everything Bill said was right it could also be in the way you mold your eyes,from my experience the way you mold your eyes is mostly the look you will get.Bill gives great advice and i always try and take all his advice i can get his WT paint schedule has extremely improved my painting.
first thing that would come to mind is an improper antler setting causing you to "pull" the eye in place. A couple things you might want to check out from McKenzie. 1)Quick set eye tool.(page 375) 2)Eye setting reference head.(page 78) Of course Rick Carter sells inexpensive eye cast through WASCO. Any one of these references might help you until you become more proficient with your eye work. First and foremost though, make sure you're not causing any pull on the eye from "forcing" your hide into place. If all else fails, Find the nearest China Buffet. They'll probobly pay you extra for your mount.(LOL) Good Luck! Jeff F.
Do you take a front corner of your eye to the front of the antler burr? Try this to help set your antlers in the right place.
Use this measurement what setting your antlers.