06-21-2005, 10:26 PM
heres the difference.
Technology.
Sure theres the old style fish replicas, and do it yourself methods.
But theres also continuous change and improvemnet going on in the world of replicas.
You just have to make sure that your replica is done by someone who uses the best technology and has skills.
Basically if you look at the basics of fish taxidremy the differences between replicas and skin mounts arent that different.
But the things they can do with replicas these days will produce more accurate paint jobs, and add much more detail to your mount than a skin mount can.
Once you skin the fish, and soak it in treatment solutions and the scales are removed, you cant get the texture of the scales back.
Also you have the skin that must be remounted to the form.
This is why you get lots of creases and folds that have to be smoothed or hidden in a skin mount.
High quality forms have no seams in them. The quailty of the mold used to make the form is the main factor in your replica. The more detailed the mold, the better the form.
On skin mounts they use the skin color patterns that have faded as they dry out to get the markings in the right place and colors painted on the skin.
With todays computers they have software programs that can re-create your fish patterns and colors more accuratley and can be manipulated onto the form to give you an exact replica.
But more than anything the quality of your mount is in the quality of the artist.
Fish mounts are not taxidermy, they are art works. Skin mounts or replicas, they have to be painted. The life life look and blending of the colors is in the artwork.
If a guy is just doing it out of his garage in his spare time I am sure that skin mounts are easier to do than replicas and probably turn out better, but I would put up a replica done professionally by a skilled artist using the advanced technology against a skin mount anyday.
This is just based on what I have seen as I have researched the world of fish mounts.
If you look around you will see some crazy stuff. Crappy looking skin mounts, crappy looking replicas.
But when you see a great skin mount you know it. Its the same with a replica.
If you take the time to find the best replica guys in the contry, you will never be displeased with the decision not to get a skin mount.
One thing I found absolutley fascinating about fish mounts was the amazing things they can do with paint these days.
I used to assume it was all a bunch of airbrushing and hand touch ups that created the best images.
Well, like I said, the things they can do these days are amazing you just have to find a guy who is passionate enough about what he does. When you find him, you will realize that he takes ideas from other industires non-related to fish taxidermy and applies them to get the best results.
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Technology.
Sure theres the old style fish replicas, and do it yourself methods.
But theres also continuous change and improvemnet going on in the world of replicas.
You just have to make sure that your replica is done by someone who uses the best technology and has skills.
Basically if you look at the basics of fish taxidremy the differences between replicas and skin mounts arent that different.
But the things they can do with replicas these days will produce more accurate paint jobs, and add much more detail to your mount than a skin mount can.
Once you skin the fish, and soak it in treatment solutions and the scales are removed, you cant get the texture of the scales back.
Also you have the skin that must be remounted to the form.
This is why you get lots of creases and folds that have to be smoothed or hidden in a skin mount.
High quality forms have no seams in them. The quailty of the mold used to make the form is the main factor in your replica. The more detailed the mold, the better the form.
On skin mounts they use the skin color patterns that have faded as they dry out to get the markings in the right place and colors painted on the skin.
With todays computers they have software programs that can re-create your fish patterns and colors more accuratley and can be manipulated onto the form to give you an exact replica.
But more than anything the quality of your mount is in the quality of the artist.
Fish mounts are not taxidermy, they are art works. Skin mounts or replicas, they have to be painted. The life life look and blending of the colors is in the artwork.
If a guy is just doing it out of his garage in his spare time I am sure that skin mounts are easier to do than replicas and probably turn out better, but I would put up a replica done professionally by a skilled artist using the advanced technology against a skin mount anyday.
This is just based on what I have seen as I have researched the world of fish mounts.
If you look around you will see some crazy stuff. Crappy looking skin mounts, crappy looking replicas.
But when you see a great skin mount you know it. Its the same with a replica.
If you take the time to find the best replica guys in the contry, you will never be displeased with the decision not to get a skin mount.
One thing I found absolutley fascinating about fish mounts was the amazing things they can do with paint these days.
I used to assume it was all a bunch of airbrushing and hand touch ups that created the best images.
Well, like I said, the things they can do these days are amazing you just have to find a guy who is passionate enough about what he does. When you find him, you will realize that he takes ideas from other industires non-related to fish taxidermy and applies them to get the best results.
[signature]