Do you ever get confused when trying to select the proper size lifesize form to fit a skin? Welcome to the world of taxidermy! As they say, “If it was easy everybody would be doing it.” When a taxidermist graduates from mounting shoulder mounts to lifesize taxidermy, the degree of difficulty ratchets up a notch. I hope I can offer a few tips to help with selecting the proper size form (mannequin) which will greatly reduce some of the challenges. What I have to offer is part voodoo, part science, and part educated guess. As Yogi Berra said, “Baseball is 90 percent physical and the other half is mental.” This sounds similar to taxidermy, doesn’t it? All kidding aside, let’s focus on some areas that should help you in choosing the proper size form.

           To read the rest of this valuable article on measuring for correct fit, subscribe to Breakthrough, or order Issue 124. Call 800-783-7266 or subscribe online.

Editors Note: In this series of articles, Brian Noody tells us his story and techniques used in mounting his entry, a walleye, for the 2015 World Taxidermy Championships. This walleye was the second highest scoring fish entry in the Master Division of the 2015 competition in Springfield, Missouri.

           To read the final installment of this 5-part walleye article, subscribe to Breakthrough, or order Issue 124. Call 800-783-7266 or subscribe online.

European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), also known as western roe deer, or simply roe deer, are a Eurasian species of deer. The male of the species is sometimes referred to as a roebuck. Roe deer are relatively small, reddish, and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments. The species is widespread in Europe from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia and from Britain to the Caucasus. They are smaller and distinct from the somewhat larger Siberian roe deer.

    To read the rest of this valuable 5-page reference study, subscribe to BREAKTHROUGH online or call 800-783-7266.

     I offered to Larry to write an article and asked him for a little direction. His response was, “An article that fish carvers and fish taxidermists can both relate to would be nice.” After a few days of pondering this request, I began to think of all the overlap between these two “fish artist” disciplines. Larry’s answer provided a little direction but not a lot, because these two fish art forms are so closely related and have many areas of shared study. So I asked myself what I would like to learn that hasn’t been featured before in Breakthrough. I thought,  you know, it’s rare when I get the opportunity to visit another “fish guy’s” shop and observe firsthand how a person approaches painting and see what products he actually uses to get the job done. So… this article will address exactly that. I will show and explain the paints, paint products, and painting aids that are in my personal tool chest for painting. It should fill the bill for Larry’s request and hopefully give you some tools for your own painting arsenal as well.

       This articles explains fish prep, airbrush paints, tube paints, acrylic paints,  and using other color enhancements.  To read the rest of this valuable 5-page reference study, subscribe to BREAKTHROUGH online or call 800-783-7266.

I am going to paint this dolphin referencing the photos included in this article. Many dolphins, both cows and bulls, have these colors and it is the most common and expected colors desired by clients. This is a green and yellow gold coloration with lots of blue spots and markings. I’ve caught many bulls that display a tremendous blue on their dorsals and backs, but let’s stick with these photo references to show the mainstay version that satisfy 99 percent of my customers. I always ask what colors they remember the most or ask for any photos that they might have to help them choose. When we do a pair of them (cow and bull), I like to paint them different, as they all can be. I typically paint a bull with more blue and a cow with more green. These are fish with glowing neon colors, so I might as well paint them as the beautiful creatures they are. I will use Lifetone paints on this fish.

   Editors Note: Mike sent along this outstanding reference photography by Pat Ford, a professional photographer living in Miami, Florida. You can visit his site at patfordphotos.com.

    To access all the incredible reference photos and Mike's custom hand-drawn painting diagrams, subscribe to BREAKTHROUGH through this website or call 800-783-7266.