I just received a set of antlers back from Research Mannikins. Good responsive service.
Here is the question. The artificial velvet look "too good." ( I know how that sounds.... no complaint intended on the work. ) It's a bit too lush and uniform. Is there anthing that anyone has done in the past to make the artifical velvet look a bit less perfect and more natural? I suspect one could rough it up with your hands to take out some of the loft and fullness. I was just wondering what some of you may have done in the past and had good results.
Thanks in advance for any comments.
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add a little bit of brownish highlights to make them look more natural and brush with a soft bristle brush.
I know exactly what you mean, the summer velvet look that you get from the artificial velvet is too perfect for the normal end of the growing season velvet that we normally get in early season deer. That velvet has the "slept in" look, from the shrinking that is taking place just before the buck rubs. Be careful what you use, if you try to get that look. The artificial velvet will disolve with Laquer thinner or other solvents, including laquer paint.
...just too much fullness. I may just try to rough it up with my hands/brush and let it go at that. If I do try anything I'll do a test spot on the base of the antlers. The struggle I'm having is that all small points that were crowded around the base and the G1's aren't as visible as the original velvet. Lost alot of character. Sometimes "the worst enemy of the good is the better" so I'll be careful what I do.
Thansk to everyone for the comments