I just finished a coyote. Sewing, that is. I measured carefully at the onset,I lengthened the form as needed and fitted the skin. Everything seems to be in place, right down to the scrotum area,but now it looks too long. (Not esthetically proportioned) The circumference however was just right. The coyote measures 42" and the largest form I could find that the customer liked was 40" Would 2" make that much difference? If so, what should I do the next time?
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that much difference. Are you sure the skin is taxied properly? Did you make relief cuts to tuck skin in the armpit areas, etc? If your hide paste has not set yet...I would suggest taking your hide puller and seeing if you can't taxi that skin up a little. Just my thoughts...
I think 2 inches would make a world of difference in appearance. In reality, you've increased the length by 5%. When I get measurements that don't agree with the form I get very skeptical of my measuring. Either I read the tape wrong or I've not stretched the hide proportionally. Most forms have been sculpted off of carcass of the animal and nature is pretty predictable in symmetry. I may alter a form to match the desired pose, but I take extreme care in not screwing with Mother Nature.
It sounds like Gary started off with skin measurement which are often stretched out lengthwise.I too believe that 2" is a lot.When measuring skins I tend to go more by the girth and like George,trust the mannikin proportions somewhat,especially when it comes to body length.
The largest form he could find was 40" and the coyote was a 42" animal. The belly he said was exact, so in essence it "should look less long".
My suggestion without seeing what it looks like, would be to wait till it dries totally, then shampoo the hide and fluff it up fully with a hair drier/vacuum on revers, with lots of back combing. In other words fluff that sucker up!
I think George is right. I am always amazed when I'm detailing a finished mount how just a small amount of change, a little here a little there makes a LOT of difference to your eye and I think 2" to long could throw the overall look out of wack. Your eyes are very sensitive to correct proportions and 2" or 5% to much could easily be noticed.
Regardless of what the length of his coyote hide was, the form must stand alone. If he had a 42 inch long coyote with a 24 inch girth, I'd have made it fit the 40 inch form with the 24 inch girth. A well fed coyote will have a hide that will stretch like a bobcat usually and it will certainly contract like a skinny one. I never lengthen a form. The example I use is like me T-shirts. I wear an XXL. The length is right, but the girth is a little loose (believe that or not. However, if I buy an XL, it creates a visual neither I nor anyone else appreciates, It may fit my girth well, but it darned sure doesn't match my length
I'm not totally unfamiliar with coyotes, having done a few in the past. It's just that this one looks weird. Yes, I did make relief cuts, etc. Incidently, the girth is 27", so it IS a big sucker. I'll put it on my web site when it's done so everyone can have a good laugh. I know I'll get the "hot dog" jokes for sure.
...has probably never done their first one yet. People often assume that my remarks are smart ass, but I assure you, I WAS the dumbass who made the mistake before I learned from it. Good luck.
If you read it, he did mount an actual size 42 inch yote (I figure he measured off the carcass) on a 40 inch form, using the exact same belly measurement. Perhaps the sculptor placed the legs too far apart on the form such that the finished product looks like a wiener dog. The overall length may be 40 inches but the distance between the shoulderblade and pelvic girdle could be WAY off. Who made the form so we can look in the catalogue?
To damn many times people get hungup and measurments.
On small mammals, make sure the girth is correct and drop two inches off any animal over 25 inches.
This will allow you to taxi the skin around and make a much better mount without the stretching the skin.
The sewing will go quicker, the skin will have slack you will find its much easier to mount it this way than having to work and stretch the skin.
Under 25 I drop one inch off the form length.
He says "I measured carefully at the onset,I lengthened the form as needed and fitted the skin."
I should be whipped badly for not reading it correctly. I humbly apologize. I will go to my room and sulk all day.