MODELLING AND SETTING UP A DEER'S HEAD 155 



block, making up at the same time to about the natural 

 shape of the neck, which shape is partially determined by that 

 of the neck-block. Next take some tow, make a long loose 

 rope of it, and wind it around the paper, and tie ovei" all some 

 wrapping-cotton to bind the whole together, and to make it 

 nearly of the shape required. Take some thick paste, and paste 

 over the tow ; cover all with a thin skin of clay, which may be 

 pressed in and shaped, first with the hands and afterwards 

 with the modelling- tools Nos. 33, 34. When this is done, screw 

 the oval block upon a board sufficiently large and weighty to 

 prevent it from toppling over when subsequently worked upon. 

 Now take a broad brush well charged with paste, and paste 

 the clay well over, bringing it into the form which it is to 

 assume. 



The whole being firmly screwed to the board from the back, 

 take carving -tools Nos. 37-39, and carve out the orbits, 

 nostrils, and lips quite as deeply as in the skinned head. 

 After the carving-tools, finish off smoothly with the coarsest 

 sand-paper. This sand-papering is not so much to give beauty 

 to the cast as to reduce small imperfections, and to remove the 

 dirt acquired by handling, which somewhat obscures the finer 

 points. Now screw the horns permanently to the head-block, 

 as they will not have to be taken off again. 



Nothing remains to be considered but the skin, which, 

 if at all dry, must be plunged into water for a few hours, 

 wrung out, and put on as nearly dry as possible. Remember 

 that every part must be thoroughly damp, though not wet, as, 

 if at all dry, it will neither stretch nor model. 



Before the skin is finally placed upon the model, fill 

 between the skins of the ears with clay, or with modelling- 

 composition (Formula 61 or 72), which, as before directed, 

 must be used warm. Press the composition well towards the 

 edges and tips of the ears and gradually bring them into 



