3 



Painting the Mount 



There are numerous ways of painting a trophy so that it will look 

 attractive. The various methods include a wide range of tech- 

 niques. In other words, there is a method that can be satis- 

 factory for every degree of interest or ability, from a single 

 application of one color for a silhouette effect to the exacting 

 reproduction of the true coloration of live fishes which can be 

 accomplished only by a skilled artist. 



Preparing the Surface 



For painting, the mount first requires a surface which is not 

 porous, whether the trophy is a silhouette on a piece of wood, a 

 skin mount, or a cast. Shellac is satisfactory for this purpose; it 

 is easy to apply and dries fast. Dilute white shellac 50-50 with 

 commercial alcohol, which can be obtained at any paint shop. 

 Refrain from excessive brushing, or brush streaks will appear. 

 One coat is usually enough for skin mounts or casts produced 

 in plastic-like materials. However, wood silhouettes and casts 

 in plaster or casting compound may require more. Plaster 

 usually takes several coats. Brush on one coat, wait until it 

 dries, and then brush on the next— until a sheen or gloss appears 

 which indicates that the plaster no longer absorbs the shellac. 

 When the last coat dries, the trophy is ready for painting. 



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