Painting the Mount 113 



before attempting to paint. Pearl essence is excellent for this 

 purpose. Commercially, it is made mostly from scales of silvery 

 fishes. Pearl essence is now available in synthetic form. This 

 pastelike material must be mixed with lacquer and lacquer 

 thinner. Of course, pigments should not be applied to the 

 mount the same as to a canvas, for the oils are much too heavy 

 and the mount would appear artificial. An oil color as it comes 

 out of the tube cannot be used alone; it requires a vehicle to 

 carry it smoothly over the area. A combination of linseed oil 

 and turpentine makes an excellent vehicle. A type of linseed 

 oil named "Stand Oil" is best; it has gone through a heating 

 process which produces a thicker, more viscous oil. It has other 

 desirable properties— pale color, less tendency toward after- 

 yellowing, and a hard, durable finish. It also allows brush marks 

 to flatten and disappear. The Stand Oil should be diluted with 

 an equal amount of rectified (extra refined) pure, clear gum 

 turpentine. Mix the color on a palette or other suitable surface, 

 dip the brush into the vehicle (oil plus turpentine), then onto 

 the oil color, and apply to the mount. 



Every finished mount requires a hard, durable surface, such 

 as varnish, as a protective coating. Allow the oil paints to dry 

 thoroughly for a week or so before applying the varnish. Con- 

 venient spray cans of enamel or lacquer can be used. Clear 

 varnish, brushed on, is also an excellent covering. Do not apply 

 the first coat of any of these substances too heavily, or some of 

 them may cause the paint on the mount to run. Artists' retouch- 

 ing varnish can be used safely over oils. It is a quick diving, 

 light bodied, colorless varnish composed of selected pale resins. 

 These materials can be obtained from any art shop. 



Painting with Lacquer and Airbrush 



Most professionals use lacquers and spray guns (compressed 

 air) for painting fish mounts. An experienced worker can pro- 

 duce excellent results in a short time with this method. The 

 lacquer dries almost instantly upon hitting the mount which, of 

 course, is a great advantage; no dust adheres, and one color can 



