airborne impala mount thread!
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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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First thing I need to do is turn this form in the opposite direction.
I'll turn the body, head, and neck.
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.
lets start by turning the head.
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.
You can see how much wider the form is compared to the skull.
I will also take out length in the form.
I'll start with the length. I will also take this time to turn the hips to give a little more action.
After sanding and shaping the body I cut the head off and start to fit the head to the skin.
taking width out.
taking width out.
changing the height
changing the height
This is the final pose I was going for. I will have to get him off the ground now.
front view
front view
I'll start by welding a support and internal frame with a female receiver.
The next few pics are of the internal frame.
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.
Starting the tree off the new base.
I forgot to mention we welded and set the internal frame before we did the tree. Here are the pics of setting the frame.
I'll do one more test fit to see how the hide fits.
After the final test fit I wasn't happy yet. I did a few more alterations to finalize.
Taking a little more girth out.
Also had to adjust the hips , length, and length of the face.
After its mounted I can start the tree.
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.
When the tree mix starts to get hard I will sculpt the back in with a few tools.
The final step is to paint the tree and finish the habitat scene. Here is the final mount complete.
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.
Just out of curiosity - how many hours do you have invested in this product from start to finish?
the guy is a master artist plain and simple.
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!
Amazing as always Dennis! You are a true artist and a master at that! I love these threads! Thanks for sharing!
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 ??
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.
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!!
Thanks for the comments! Wildman, Richard is correct. I use a 2 part polyurethane foam with a 3 - 6lb density depending on the job.
That is extremely cool! Great work!
Really cool to watch the whole process, and man what a lot of work! Thanks for sharing, you sir are a true artist!
That's just amazing. No other way to describe it.
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.
Friken amazing and outstanding work. I'm an amateur/hobby taxidermist and your work is inspirational. Ed F
Wow, just wow.
The impala might have had more modifications that my wolves..........that's saying something right there.
So cool - I would have been so giddy if that was my mount and I got to see a step by step.
Certainly a talent that most don't have. Myself included. Very cool. Also curious how many hours goes into something like this.
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.
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
Unreal Dennis! Love these threads!
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
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
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
Jaw on floor..... This is just awesome!
Awesome is an understatement. Beautiful, great work.
Beautiful art as always Dennis!!!!
Mark
You are one talented dude! Thanks for sharing!
I have seen the Finished Impala mount in person. Its unbelievable.
Dennis, when you go, you go all the way ! Master artisan !
Very amazing, you are a true artist!!
God Bless,
Scar
Very impressive Dennis. Now I won't complain as loud about Taxidermy prices! And I want an Impala now! Mike
Once again awesome work Dennis!
Dennis,
Thanks for sharing!!! Your artistic and mechanical fabrication abilities are out of this world. This is awesome stuff.