airborne impala mount thread!
Contributors to this thread:International
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
Follow along as I take you through the steps to get to the final position. There will be a lot of form altering and welding. If you have any questions feel free to ask as this will be mostly a picture thread. Hope you enjoy.
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From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
First thing I need to do is turn this form in the opposite direction.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
I'll turn the body, head, and neck.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
I also have to cut and change this plate. I will need to make this mount jumping down but without any feet touching the ground.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
lets start by turning the head.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
A front veiw
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
the eye to nose was way off!
the eye to nose was way off!
Before I get to far into the form alterations I do a quick test fit. And as usual nothing was close to fitting properly. I have to make the proper alterations to fit the skin. I will also keep in mind the final position so I can adjust while the form is cut.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
You can see how much wider the form is compared to the skull.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
I will also take out length in the form.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
I'll start with the length. I will also take this time to turn the hips to give a little more action.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
After sanding and shaping the body I cut the head off and start to fit the head to the skin.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
taking width out.
taking width out.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
changing the height
changing the height
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
Adjusting the girth
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
Adjusting the girth
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
This is the final pose I was going for. I will have to get him off the ground now.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
front view
front view
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
I'll start by welding a support and internal frame with a female receiver.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
The next few pics are of the internal frame.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
Now we cut the original base off and use it for the new base. We will weld a frame that later I will sculpt into a tree.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
Starting the tree off the new base.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
I forgot to mention we welded and set the internal frame before we did the tree. Here are the pics of setting the frame.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
I'll do one more test fit to see how the hide fits.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
After the final test fit I wasn't happy yet. I did a few more alterations to finalize.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
Taking a little more girth out.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
Also had to adjust the hips , length, and length of the face.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
Finally ready to mount!
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
After its mounted I can start the tree.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
I start by carding the shape of the tree. I will poor foam and shape it. then I put screen on the foam and use a mix to make the bark.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
When the tree mix starts to get hard I will sculpt the back in with a few tools.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
The final step is to paint the tree and finish the habitat scene. Here is the final mount complete.
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
From: Dennis Razza
20-Nov-16
Thanks for following!
From: Buffalo1
20-Nov-16
This is some really neat stuff. Very nice work. Thanks for taking us behind the scenes.
And people wonder why good artistic/taxi work isn't cheap. Dennis you are a true artist.
From: Buffalo1
20-Nov-16
Just out of curiosity - how many hours do you have invested in this product from start to finish?
From: kota-man
20-Nov-16
Very cool Dennis!
From: Butchie
21-Nov-16
Amazing!!!
From: Bou'bound
21-Nov-16
the guy is a master artist plain and simple.
From: AZ~Rich
21-Nov-16
Awesome project Dennis. Thanks for sharing. I know taking time out to document each step is above and beyond. You've given me some inspiration now as I'm struggling with some major alterations on an Oribi (laying down) for a customer. Beautiful mounts and execution!
From: Brotsky
21-Nov-16
Amazing as always Dennis! You are a true artist and a master at that! I love these threads! Thanks for sharing!
From: Wildman
21-Nov-16
Job well done very impressive !!! Really cool that you took pictures through all the steps. When trimming/shaping the form is that just Expandable foam used to fill gaps/holes then trimmed to match the form ??
From: AZ~Rich
21-Nov-16
I'm sure Dennis is using a more dense two part Polyurethane foam in a 3 lb range rather than the lower density expandable stuff you get at Home Depot.
From: t-roy
21-Nov-16
Incredible stuff.....as usual Dennis! So much more stuff goes into a quality mount that isn't even seen than most people realize. Thanks again for sharing some insight into your gift!!
From: Dennis Razza
21-Nov-16
Thanks for the comments! Wildman, Richard is correct. I use a 2 part polyurethane foam with a 3 - 6lb density depending on the job.
From: Ken
21-Nov-16
That is extremely cool! Great work!
From: sitO
21-Nov-16
Really cool to watch the whole process, and man what a lot of work! Thanks for sharing, you sir are a true artist!
From: Drahthaar
22-Nov-16
Awesome . Forrest
From: Hunts_with_stick
22-Nov-16
So cool!
From: smd39
22-Nov-16
That's just amazing. No other way to describe it.
From: kyrob
22-Nov-16
Enlightening to say the least. I never imagined that much work went into doing a mount. Great work, skill, vision and a whole lot of patience in that job.
From: BOWUNTR
22-Nov-16
Friken amazing and outstanding work. I'm an amateur/hobby taxidermist and your work is inspirational. Ed F
From: rock50
22-Nov-16
Wow, just wow.
The impala might have had more modifications that my wolves..........that's saying something right there.
From: SlipShot
22-Nov-16
Nice!
From: APauls
22-Nov-16
So cool - I would have been so giddy if that was my mount and I got to see a step by step.
From: Shiras
22-Nov-16
Certainly a talent that most don't have. Myself included. Very cool. Also curious how many hours goes into something like this.
From: Dennis Razza
22-Nov-16
Thanks again!
Mark, If my memory is correct... I had your wolf is 100 pieces! Lol
Ed, I'm glad you like the threads. I remember when I started going to shows and being amazed at the work being done.
Baffalo1 and shiras, This is just a small snap shot of what goes into the mounts. If you factor in tracking the shipment from customs, scheduling trucks, ordering supplies layout and design, ect.... I have well over 100 hrs in this mount.
From: The last savage
22-Nov-16
Damn impressive Dennis,your artistic and fabrication abilities are fantastic.. you'd be my go to guy...well I just need a trophy......lol. Good work my friend... Pat
From: Peyton in Fairbanks
25-Nov-16
Unreal Dennis! Love these threads!
From: AZ~Rich
25-Nov-16
Considering all that's involved Dennis I would say that just spending ~100 hrs is really amazing. Sometimes the habitat work takes as long as the mounting. I really appreciate your step by step posts. Rich
From: AZ~Rich
25-Nov-16
Considering all that's involved Dennis I would say that just spending ~100 hrs is really amazing. Sometimes the habitat work takes as long as the mounting. I really appreciate your step by step posts. Rich
From: bowfinatic
26-Nov-16
Dennis thank you for sharing. Crazy how much goes into a mount like that. I too had no idea of the amount of alterations involved. Love these posts. Keep up the exceptional work
From: hitmanonmac
26-Jan-17
Jaw on floor..... This is just awesome!
From: Keef
26-Jan-17
Awesome is an understatement. Beautiful, great work.
From: Mark Watkins
26-Jan-17
Beautiful art as always Dennis!!!!
Mark
From: CJE
26-Jan-17
You are one talented dude! Thanks for sharing!
From: rdohn
27-Jan-17
From: rdohn
27-Jan-17
I have seen the Finished Impala mount in person. Its unbelievable.
From: PAstringking
27-Jan-17
Incredible work buddy!!!
From: drycreek
27-Jan-17
Dennis, when you go, you go all the way ! Master artisan !
From: Scar Finga
27-Jan-17
Very amazing, you are a true artist!!
God Bless,
Scar
From: Florida Mike
27-Jan-17
Very impressive Dennis. Now I won't complain as loud about Taxidermy prices! And I want an Impala now! Mike
From: brettpsu
27-Jan-17
Once again awesome work Dennis!
From: beginner
27-Jan-17
Beautiful work!!
From: SaddleReaper
27-Jan-17
Dennis,
Thanks for sharing!!! Your artistic and mechanical fabrication abilities are out of this world. This is awesome stuff.
From: PECO
27-Jan-17
Very nice!
From: Dennis Razza
30-Jan-17
Thanks everyone!
