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No you definitely don't have to. Artificial noses you don't have to worry about shrinkage and has correct shape. The real nose you just want to make sure you remove all of the cartilage from the nose to reduce shrinkage and build up the shape with clay.

When casting this way in alginate a release agent is unnecessary the fish will pop out and usually the cast will too but it is a one time mold so it can also be cut open to get the cast out.

@@Dustinstaxidermy thank you buddy

Thank you for the kind words! Hopefully they are somewhat helpful!

The main reason for artificial fins is there is shrinkage. By using real fins they will shrink and even with the added backing the rays won't be as full, where when I cast them they are ready to go and they have most of the original fullness. Both applications will work for commercial but I think the cast fins give a little better quality product.

I use a powder tempera paint for most of my colors, not sure the brand I've bought different ones, but a black, browns, and greens are my typical choices. You water them down depending on the intensity of the color you want to show, if you spray from a bottle you just have to make sure you mix all the clumps out or your bottle will clog.

Yes the clay will dry hard, the clay used around the eye has lower shrinkage then other clays allowing the shape to hold better.

@@Dustinstaxidermy thank you!!!

I used alcohol inks on this one pearl mixed with a drop of silver. Any tipping medium works well but they just need thinned to achieve the transparency to not overpower the base colors.

It's actually a computer monitor stand that clamps onto the table. It does work pretty well for painting though.

Thank you! I'm sure they remind you of those fishing trips and bring back the memories every time you look at them!

Hi Dustin do have the videos of the mounting and painting of this brown trout

Sorry no I didn't do any videos of the mounting process or of the paint job.

@@Dustinstaxidermy what a shame would have liked to have seen the painting process maybe next time keep up the great work

It is a McKenzie product the code is WCE-4. If you order just request USPS if you don't have speed dee shipping to save a little compared. You can also use free form air from smooth on it's also a light weight epoxy.

@@Dustinstaxidermy thanks. I’ve been looking at free form air. Can you smooth and feather smooth with it too??

I don't have experience with it but have heard good things about it and that it blends well, I will be ordering some to try when I order from smooth on next though.

I use aves critter clay for eyes on all of my mounts, it has less shrinkage than most other clays.

I actually used a dry erase marker for the spots, pearl ex powders mixed with gloss brushed on for adding the metallics.

I use plastilina non hardening modeling clay for the sculpting.

Hi Daryn, I would change a few things in the process of it, but you can email me at dustinstaxidermy@gmail.com and I will try to answer any questions.

I use pro 1 hide paste for this step.

It will depend on the reference photo that your trying to match, usually I will use pearl ex carbon black, dark brown, a little antique silver and brilliant gold and usually spray a brown to seal the colors in. It will depend on the look you want to achieve on how you apply the colors.

@@Dustinstaxidermy thanks!

I never tried that process, but this definitely should save time compared to that method while keeping your details in tact.

Thanks for watching glad you enjoyed it

They are Jeff Lumsden still life eyes. 16mm with prepainted pupil from Matuska number is LEF16P or McKenzies is number LEP16. Other companies carry them and there's different sizes.

Thanks for watching! This will definitely allow the clay to stiffen up and stay together and allow you to not have to worry about smudging fresh clay.

I tan myself. I use either the Trubond or Pro-1 brush on tan.

@@Dustinstaxidermy gotcha. I was using McKenzie Pickle n Tan. Tried Krowtann, I think that will be my go too now. Awesome stretch. Ever mess with dry preserve?

Oh nice, I've used krowtann in the past it worked but prefer the tanning process. I've not done much with dry preserve just on small animals like squirrels but I've just been tanning them lately as well.

Thanks! Casting this way will give good detail if the alginate is mixed right. The teeth will typically need to be rebuilt but mostly the detail will be pretty good inside of the mouth.

@@Dustinstaxidermy Thanks for the reply and the video. Great channel.

Thank you!

I just just used modge podge super thick gloss in a nose bottle I bought from a supplier. The thicker modge podge doesn't run as much so it's a bit easier to not have them run together.

@@Dustinstaxidermy thank you so much

Thank you!

Thank you, glad you enjoy them!

Thank you!

Thanks for watching!

Generally I will a little bit sometimes I don't have to but mostly i do

I used fx creature liquid latex to protect the eyes. Most any liquid latex would work well I also have used Duncan mask and peel which is a thicker latex but works well.

I used a flat sealer but fixatif would probably work a little better

Thank You! I appreciate you watching these videos.

Glad you enjoyed it hopefully it helps a bit.

Glad you enjoyed hopefully it helps out a bit!

Thanks for watching! Hopefully it helps, around the antler burr can be a bit difficult sometimes but the screwdriver helps

Thank you Glad you like it!

Thank you!

Thanks for watching!

Yes I watered down a powder tempera paint for the wash

Thanks for watching!

Thanks! Hope it helps!

Thanks! Hopefully it helps you some!

Thanks, definitely worth trying the pearl ex powders make it fairly easy to do.

For the most part you don't have to worry about it but eventually you'll have it happen just make sure your contract requires a non refundable deposit and don't order the materials until you have it that way your costs are covered

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks! The drill definitely saves on time!

Yes the drill idea is genius 👍👍👍

Thanks! Glad it helped! Good luck when you get to putting one together!

Thanks glad you enjoyed it!