PHEASANT TAXIDERMY PAINTING - Tips

Listed Below are Some Painting, Airbrushing and Air Compressor Tips.

AIRBRUSHING TIPS

First and foremost, I highly recommend you purchase the book:   “Breakthrough Waterfowl and Bird Finishing Manual” by Kelly Seibel.  I’ll put a link to it on my “Supplies I Use” section of my website.  It is well worth the cost ($25 - $30 US) and I believe an absolute “must have” for bird painting.

Practice.  Get comfortable with your equipment, mixing paints, cleanup, techniques and blending colors.

Certain soft, realistic, finishing effects can be achieved with airbrush use, more so than with stiff paint brushes.

 I recommend and use Paasche brand Double or Dual Action Airbrush.  It’s also American Made, so parts are readily attained.

Keep airbrush clean at all times, disassemble to clean.  Clean equipment after every use.   Drain moisture traps.

Keep your airbrush instructions.  Read and refer to manufacturers suggestions.

For a clog when painting; try pressing and pulling paint trigger to allow a burst of air and paint into a paper towel.  This spray may help to flush out the tip of airbrush.   If not, you will have to disassemble and clean the tip well.  The instructions with your airbrush should detail this better. 

Keep your paint area well ventilated.  Manufacturers recommend a mask respirator.  Paint particles can be very small and absorbed in the lungs.   Always follow manufacturer’s suggestions and warnings.

  

AIR COMPRESSOR TIPS

Air compressor with pressure of 10 – 50 psi.

Has pressure regulator and moisture trap.

Check for moisture in your air supply by spraying clean, dry air through airbrush onto dry paper towel for couple seconds.  If you have moisture, fix problem before you continue.

 

PAINT TIPS

Usually, thin to consistency of milk before spraying.  However, some paints flow better with different consistencies.   

If lids are left off between uses, it must be re-thinned before use.  For water based paints, thin with water.

 
Anything falling into your paint must be removed before using.  It will clog your airbrush.

I recommend water based paints.  They are non-flammable, easy to use and easy to clean up; soap and water.

Patience!  Trial and error in mixing colors to get the correct shade of color you want.  Painting birds is a process of layering and blending different colors to create depth and realism.

Apply paint lightly.  You can always add more of a certain color.  The less paint used, the better.

Lighter colors are applied first.  Build your depth upon that.  One layer at a time.

 

AIRBRUSHING TECHNIQUES

Study live pheasants (or whatever bird you are doing), if possible.   Refer to color photos. 

Collect color photos from books and magazines.  I have collected wildlife photos from hunting and fishing magazines through the years.  Refer to them often.

When mixing colors, always use “like” paints.

Cover the areas on bird close to where you are spraying to prevent overspray.

Be very careful when injecting feet, wear all safety protection; eyes, rubber gloves, etc.  This chemical can cause blindness.  Make sure area is well ventilated.

 

WATER BASED COLORS USED IN PHEASANT VIDEO

White,

Tooth Yellow,
Satin White Pearl,
Chocolate Brown,
Black,
Bright Red,
Phthalo Blue,
Light Green and
Satin Sheen Gloss.

 

When you are ready to paint, have all your supplies by your work station, reference photos, paints, Q-Tips, airbrush, water… everything you’ll need.  Then, just relax and take your time.

 

PHEASANT Diagrams

PHEASANT TAXIDERMY Video 4 of 4 - Painting, Final Grooming

PHEASANT TAXIDERMY Video 3 of 4

PHEASANT TAXIDERMY Video 2 of 4

PHEASANT TAXIDERMY Video 1 of 4

PHEASANT TAXIDERMY - "Supplies I Use"

This is a Good Set for the Money. I Primarily Use the Xacto No. #2 Scalpel.

Click Here for a Variety of Scalpel Knife Blades and Sets


A Pair of Good, Heavy Duty Scissors or Shears is needed. You can Spend a Lot of Money on These, but, I Wouldn't. A Couple of Pairs Which I would Use and are Worth the Money:

Click Here for a Large Selection of Heavy-Duty Scissors


For the More Precise, Detailed Work

Click Here for More Scissors for Fine Detailing Work


I use this Knife in this Video and in the Shop all the time. It's a very Handy Knife to have around. Be Careful, though, it is Scary Sharp.

Click Here for More Bird's Beak Knives


Side Wire Cutters

Click Here for a Variety of Wire Cutters


I get my Galvanized Wire at a Local Farm Store. In this Video, I am using Straight Wire. You can, however, use the Wire that comes in a Roll.
The Wire Gauge to use Depends on the Bird, the Size of the Bird and the Body Part.
As a General Rule, Turkey and Geese will use 6ga, 8ga, 10ga, 12ga, 14ga.
Pheasants and some Geese will use 12ga, 14ga, 16ga.
Smaller Birds will use 16ga, 18ga.
The Smaller the Bird, the Higher the Gauge of Wire.
Standing Birds use Heavier Wire for the Legs.
Flying Birds use Heavier Wire for Wings and Neck.

Click Here for More Choices of Galvanized Wire


I Bought my Steel Sharpener at Auction. Below are Similar Ones.

Click Here for a Greater Selection of Steel Sharpeners


"C", "S" and Straight Style Needles, Heavy Duty Thread.

Click Here for More Choices of Needles
Click Here for More Heavy-Duty Thread Choices


I Only Use DAWN Dish Soap for Washing Hides. It Really does Cut Through the Fat, Blood and De-Grease Best.


Click Here for a Variety of Sizes and Prices of Dawn


I Use Borax as a Dry Preservative.

Click Here for More Selections of Borax


I Don't Wear Gloves When Working on Pheasants. I Don't Use Vinyl Gloves at all. They Don't Stretch as Well, and the Sensitivity just isn't there. For Those who Prefer to Wear Gloves when Mounting Pheasants, I Recommend the Following.

But, if you Prefer them, Click here for a Variety of Vinyl Gloves
If you are Allergic to Latex; Click here for Latex-Free Gloves


I Use Apoxie Sculpt Clay for Many of my Mounts, but, it's not Necessary for Pheasants or Other Birds. I Recommend you use Regular Potter's Clay for Birds, it's more Forgiving.

Click Here for More Potter's Clay Choices
Click Here for Choices of Apoxie Sculpt


Fleshing Wheels, Flexible Foam for the Neck, and Wayne Cooper Flex Eyes can all be Purchased online Through McKenzie or VanDyke Taxidermy Supplies.


For Wrapping the Built-up Leg and Wing Muscles.

Click Here for Choices of Heavy-Duty, All Weather Tape


I frequently make my own Forms for Birds, Fish, etc. But, if I Purchase them, I get them from McKenzie or VanDyke Taxidermy Supplies.

Click Here for Foam Block Choices for Making your Form


A Cheap, No-Frills Hairdryer. I picked out the one below, as it's Reasonably Priced with Good Reviews.

Click Here for More Hair Dryer Choices


T Pins I use. These come in very handy.

Click Here for More Choices and Prices of T Pins


Cheap Masking Tape I use for Temporary Hold.

Click Here for More Masking Tape Choices


For Injecting Preservative

Click Here for More Syringe Choices


Use Bird Feet Injection Fluid from McKenzie Taxidermy Supplies. Available in Different Sizes. Read and Follow Directions and Warnings Carefully on This Product.


Reference Photos are very Helpful to get Realistic Details Correct. Don't use Artists's Renditions, use only actual Photos of the Bird.
Through the Years, I have Accumulated Pages of Color Photos from Various Hunting and Fishing Magazines. I recommend you do the same.
There are, also, great Reference Books available.
Click Here for a Listing of Wildlife Reference Photo Books


I use a Variety of Sizes of "Artist" Paint Brushes. You'll use these Brushes with Different Tips. This is a Good Set for the Money.

Click Here for a Large Selection of Detailing Brushes


I Recommend the Dual or Double Action Airbrush. It's Easier to Control than the Single Action. You don't need to Spend alot of Money on one. This one is Perfect for the Job, priced well and Parts are easy to get.

Click Here for More Dual Action Airbrushes


For an Air Compressor, go to a Discount or Farm Store, or pick one up at a Sale. The smaller ones are Sufficient, but, will run more than the larger ones.
Click Here for a Variety of Air Compressors



If you get a little paint on your Bird where it doesn't belong, it's best to remove as soon as possible before it dries.
If you are using Water Based Paint and it's a fresh spot, use water and a Q-Tip to remove.
If the mistake has dried, you have two choices. Use with a Q-Tip. Acetone and Paint Thinner are highly Flammable, Toxic Chemicals, but can be CAREFULLY used if you read and follow ALL Manufacturers Guidelines and Warnings.

Because of the Toxic Nature of these two products, I rarely use either of them.


Click Here for More Safety Glasses and Respirators


Take ALL Safety Warnings Serious with Any Paints and Chemicals.

Again, Always Follow ALL Instructions and Warnings by Manufacturers Labels.

Don't Ever Take Chances with your Vision or Lungs.

Pheasant Skinning for Taxidermy Video 5 of 5

Pheasant Skinning for Taxidermy Video 4 of 5

Pheasant Skinning for Taxidermy Video 3 of 5

Pheasant Skinning for Taxidermy Video 2 of 5

Pheasant Skinning for Taxidermy Video 1 of 5