Thread: Help w\Lion Head

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So at good will yesterday I found this stuffed animal Lion head $6 that is a big trophy head. I will make a wood mount for putting the head on. I was thinking about a safari trophy scence with the hunter and his trophies. I have a variety of animal skulls and thought it would be neat to make the hunter dead of course, half skin, half skull with the hard safari hat, the outfit and muskett rifle or spear. I would like some ideas on how to make this lion look creepier. Under the fur is a styrofaom head and I can open the mouth up and put in a tongue and some big teeth, but what about the fur? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

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hmmm, I may have to puzzle over this for a while... I would say matting the mane would be a given, as far as the overall look I dont know whether or not you want a glossy wet look, like it was freshly killed and still oozing, or a dryer, crusty look, as if it has been sitting in the room for years, untouched by anyone, abandoned. in either case, I would purchase one or two cheap teddy bears that have the same color and try out a few techniques.
Just off the top of my head I can think of burning some of the hair in patches, clear nail polish over red polish if you want a glossy look, if you wanted some skin to be "eaten" away, you could use an exacto knife to cut out the basic shape of the wound, then use a lighter or match to burn around the edges, then paint up the inside styrofoam like skull or muscle.
Hope these help, I personally love the whole trophy room theme. I imagine I am walking through an old mansion that throughout the years has had many varied residents, each leaving behind their own touch to the mansion, each drawn to one room in particular, residing there forever more. You walk in to the study, and an old fireplace is at the center, when you suddenly become aware that dozens of eyes watching you, observing your every move...anticipating that you too will be soon joining the collection (sorry, but did I mention I LOOOOOVE that type of theme)

I think your idea of a tongue and teeth is a great first step.

Getting the mouth open and adding teeth will make a big difference.

I heard of a technique for making tounges out of that craft foam. You get two pots of water, one boiling hot, the other one icy. Cut out the tounge shape from pink foam. You take a pen or another pointy (but not too pointy) object and poke the tounge to give it a stippled appearance, then a line down the center. Then you dunk the foam into the boiling water with tongs for thirty seconds, then take it out and shape it by bending it up and giving it a wave. After you have it in the right shape, submerge it into the cold water, and it should hold it's shape. I think this is what the furry people do to make their fursuit parts.

Great ideas, thanks, I can't decide either if I want a slick look or the fur messed up,

Here's what I have done so far....opened up the mouth added teeth and tongue, used Das clay to make them, shaped them with the dremel tool a little after wards, made the plaque and mounted, added some stuffing under the neck to bring it out a bit, and added pupils from Tera's Easy Eyes. Next I will paint the mouth, lips, and tongue . I am still debating about the fur???? Do I want it to be like it is now or...some how make it look creepier and if so how would I achieve the look. I want it to look old as I am saying this is a Sabre tooth tiger and they date back to 10,000bc, and I will make a safari hunter to go with this prop. Please help with suggestions.

This is the worst sort of suggestion in that I can give an opinion on what I think would be helpful but not how to do it.

Somehow, if possible, wrinkle his muzzle a bit to give him the look like a lion's when he is roaring?



and perhaps darken the mane with a Sharpie? I've used it before on coloring fake fur and it worked for me, but of course, you'd need to experiment with browns and black maybe?