Painting Realistic and Lifelike Whitetail Deer Eyes for Taxidermy Mounts

Preparing to Paint a Whitetail Deer Eye

When it comes to taxidermy, painting and detailing the eye is one of the most important parts. For a whitetail deer mount, the eyes can truly make or break the overall look. As a taxidermist, I take great care when it comes to painting and detailing deer eyes so that the finished product has a realistic, lifelike appearance.

Before I start painting, I make sure to have all my supplies ready. Here's what I use to paint and detail a realistic whitetail deer eye:

• Acrylic paints in various shades of brown, black, white, amber
• Small, thin paint brushes
• toothpicks for details
• Paper towels
• Clear gloss coat

I prefer to use acrylic paints because they dry quickly and give me the ability to build up layers of color. Having paint brushes of different sizes allows me to paint both fine details as well as broader areas. Toothpicks are great for adding very fine lines and details. And of course, paper towels are essential for blotting excess paint and correcting any mistakes.

Painting the Base Colors

With my supplies gathered, I'm ready to start painting the whitetail deer eye. I begin by painting the base colors of the eye. For most deer, I use a medium brown acrylic paint to cover the entire eye area. This provides a solid foundation. After the brown dries, I add some basic shadows and definition.

With a slightly darker brown paint, I add shadows along the outer edges of the upper and lower eyelids. This starts to give the eye some dimension. I also paint a large oval pupil toward the front inner part of the eye using black paint. In reality, the deer's pupil would contract based on lighting conditions. But for taxidermy purposes, a largish oval pupil works well and looks natural.

Layering Colors for Depth

Now it's time to start layering colors and adding more definition. I mix up various shades of brown to replicate the complex colors seen in a real deer eye. Darker browns are painted around the pupil and along the outer edges. I use a little white paint to add highlights to the upper eyelids.

Blending and gently feathering the paint gives a nice, seamless transition between the different shades. I continue gradually building up colors for depth and variation. At this stage, it really starts to look like a real eye!

Adding Fine Details

To complete the realistic look, I focus on adding those fine details. With a thin brush, I paint the fine lines radiating out from the pupil area. I also use a toothpick to add tiny blood vessels by making small red squiggly lines among the different browns.

Then I take a little amber acrylic paint on a toothpick and dot it along the outer iris. This replicates the color variations seen around the edge of the pupil. I also make sure to add a white highlight area along the upper eyelid. This gives the eye a wet, glossy appearance.

Sealing and Protecting the Finished Eye

Once the painting is complete, I let the acrylic paint fully dry. Then I brush on a clear satin sealant. This protects the painted eye from UV damage and prevents the colors from fading over time. I apply 2-3 thin coats of sealant, allowing each to dry in between. This provides a durable, long-lasting finish.

With that, this whitetail deer eye is ready to be placed in the mount! The final step is to position the mannequin eyes in the form. I take extra care when placing the eyes to ensure the deer will have a bright, lifelike gaze. The end result is an incredibly realistic deer mount that looks like it could blink its eyes at any moment!

Tips for Painting Realistic Whitetail Eyes

Here are some of my top tips for painting and detailing realistic looking eyes for your whitetail deer mounts:

• Use reference photos of actual deer eyes to replicate colors and designs
• Paint in layers, starting darker and gradually adding lighter shades
• Blend edges between colors for a seamless look
• Add lots of small details like blood vessels and speckles
• Use gloss sealant to recreate a wet, lively eye appearance

Taking the time to carefully paint each eye truly pays off in the finished piece. The eyes draw the viewer in and create a sense of realism that isn't easily achieved on other aspects of a deer mount. As a taxidermist, I take great pride in my deer eye paintings. It's extremely rewarding to produce mounts that look like the deer could blink and walk away at any moment!

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Painting Deer Eyes

While painting deer eyes takes practice, there are a few common mistakes I see taxidermists make that can be easily avoided:

• Forgetting to add eye highlights - This gives the eye a flat, lifeless look.
• Painting the pupil too small - Go larger than you think for a natural appearance.
• Neglecting blood vessels and capillaries - These tiny details add realism.
• Using improper color tones - Reference photos to get accurate shades.
• Applying too much sealant - Build up thin layers for the best gloss.

By being mindful of these common pitfalls, you can produce deer eyes that have a vivid, realistic gaze. Use quality paints, take your time, and don't forget those all-important finishing details. With a bit of practice, you'll be amazed at the lifelike deer eyes you can create!

FAQs About Painting Whitetail Deer Eyes

What colors should I use to paint a realistic deer eye?

Stick to natural, earthy browns and amber tones. Dark browns around the outer edges and pupil, medium browns through the middle iris, and lighter tans and ambers around the inside. Add in whites, blacks, reds, and yellows for details.

How do I get the colors to blend smoothly?

Use soft brushes and lightly feather the edges between colors. Overlap shades while the paint is still wet to create gradients. Work in thin layers to build up depth gradually.

What kind of paint works best?

Acrylic paints are ideal for taxidermy eyes. They stick to the mannequin well, dry fast, and provide vivid colors. Use acrylic paint pens for ultra-fine details.

Should I apply a gloss coat when finished?

Yes, a gloss sealant is highly recommended to protect the paint and give the eye a wet, lively shine. Satin or matte finishes look flat and unrealistic for eyes.

How big should the pupil be?

A pupil that takes up about 1/3 to 1/2 of the iris space looks realistic for a deer eye. Too small of a pupil can make the eye appear odd.

Achieving Realistic Looking Whitetail Eyes

As you can see, painting convincing, lifelike eyes is crucial for whitetail deer taxidermy. Take your time and don't rush through it. With practice and good reference materials, you'll be able to produce stunning eyes that really make your mounts come to life. The vivid eyes draw focus and admiration from everyone who sees your finished pieces. When done right, the eyes truly capture the essence of that buck in the wild.

FAQs

How do I prep the eye area before painting?

Lightly sand and clean the area to remove any dust or oils for best paint adhesion. Apply a primer coat if needed.

What kind of brushes work best?

Use small, thin brushes that hold their point for detail work. Shorter, flat brushes can fill bigger areas.

What reference materials are helpful?

Have quality photos of actual deer eyes in various lighting handy. Also study deer mounts and taxidermy catalogs.

Should I use an airbrush?

Airbrushing can be tricky for small detail work but works well for soft background colors and gradients.

How do I avoid brush strokes in the paint?

Use minimal water, thin multiple layers, blend thoroughly between colors, and work quickly before paint dries.