I have tried several different colors. I can't settle on anything that looks right. I have mixed colors and bought others not satisfied with anything. Thanks for help.
Thomas
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Bobcat Nose Color Choices
This response submitted by Sallie Dahmes on 8/24/1998.
sallie@taxidermy.net
Phil, I prefer using a combination of oil colors (white, indian red, and burnt umber). Mix a very small amount of the indian red in white, then tone down with the burnt umber. Always refer to reference photos in order to duplicate the color. If you are using an airbrush, lightly spray the nose with Polytranspar "Whitetail Ear Dark" (WA/FP13). This is a good choice if you need a single color to match most bobcat noses. Detail around the edges of the nose pad with Burnt Umber (WA/FP71).
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Don't Forget The References!
This response submitted by John Bellucci on 8/25/1998.
ArtistExpr@aol.com
Sallie gave very good information. However, she forgot to let you know that you can bobcat (and many other references) from WASCO... or me, directly. http://members.aol.com/ArtistExpr (It's a COOL web site!)
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My Two Cents Worth . . .
This response submitted by Jerry Stringer on 9/19/1998. ( jds@vvm.com )
I will have to try Sallie's combination for my next bobcat nose. I read a small "filler" tip in a taxidermy newsletter awhile back that dealt with the bobcat nose color and it works good for me. It sounds weird but bear with me . . . Start with a good spray coating of Lifetone or Hydromist Bright Flesh (you're gonna think it looks like Rudolph but hang in there . . .) Slightly MIST over that with a Mallard orange. You still want to see the pinkish flesh color underneath but the orange adds a different hue (yes . . . it looks awful at this point!). Here's the kicker . . . mist the nose again with Candy Paynes Gray. This color will melt the other two together into a "peachy-orangy-fleshy" color and will really tone down the brightness. If done correctly it gives depth to the nose (I read somewhere that in nature there are very few "single" colors. It said that anytime you need to represent a color, use at least three other colors to get there and it will look more accurate . . . I dunno but it seems to work). Jerry
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I'll Be Nosey
This response submitted by Rick on 9/27/1998. ( )
Jerry,
I have used this formula and like it very much. But instead of gray, I use a black and lightly mist it on. Then use a dark brown or black to outline the nose. My customers have complimented me on this.
It Works!
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Then I'll Nose around some more . . .
This response submitted by Jerry Stringer on 9/29/1998. ( jds@vvm.com )
Rick, I'll give your technique of using black a try, but I gotta ask . . . Since the black is an opaque color, will it still give the nose pad "depth" in the color? The final color I use is not just gray, but the Candy Paynes Gray - it's a clear gray. You can even put a lot of it on and can still see through it (although the nose color is screwed up!). Also I do outline the nose as well, I just left that part off (forgot!). Thanks! Jerry
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Let's All Be Nosey
This response submitted by Rick on 10/3/1998. ( )
Jerry, when I said to mist it on, I mean very lightly. The black needs to be thinned as well so as not to be as thick and dark.
You may also want to try another "formula" that works for cats down here in the cajun country. While setting the teeth with "All-Game" mixed with a bright flesh color I will rebuild the nose with it and add a little texture to the nose. At this point thin some off white and mist the nose, still letting the flesh color show through. then I mix a rich brown and jet black and thin slightly and mist over nose again. This mixture makes sort of a burnt umber color. Now use burnt sienna and very lightly mist this on. The final color to mist is the jet black. This is used to control the tone of the nose. It can go from a rich orangy brown to a dark brown. A light gloss coat can make it look wet. This is definately more than 3 colors. Try it and let me know how it works for you.
( I'm having technical difficulties recieving e-mail, so anything you need to say will have to be posted on the forums. Thanks.)
Thomas,
Send me your email and I'll send you a closeup pic of a bobcat's nose I just completed. If you like what you see, I'll tell you how to paint it.
HH