Fish Scaling

[Trouthead]

Hello: Can anyone who carves fish tell me a faster way other than a woodburner?

[AlArchie]

Yes, and it looks just as good but takes a bit of patience to get done properly.

First; figure out exactly what sized scales you want to
have.

Next; get down to the best local fabric shop you can find
and pick up some of that bridal veil material with
mesh size the same as the scales you want to
represent.

I'm going to assume you will be painting that fish with an air brush, cuz if ya ain't, this won't work.

Lay on your base color and let it dry thoroughly. This will be the color your scales will be outlined in, and it may vary across the body of the fish. You'll have to figure the best configuration out for your individual fish.

Now cut that bridal veil material to cover the area you want scaled. Lat the material on a sheet of waxed paper, and spray one side with spray adhesive. Let dry till tacky and smooth this over the fish body, sticky side toward the fish.

Then it's time to spray on your primary colors, just as you normally would. As soon as this is done, peel off the veil material. Let the paint dry thoroughly and wipe the body down gently with mineral spirits on a soft cloth to remove any residue of the adhesive.

You now can finish up with your final colors, using light applications. If you are careful, the scale pattern will JUST show through, giving a nice representation of scales.

I've done this on only two fish and both worked out really really well. Both fish have now gone to new owners.

It may take a bit of practice to get the right combination, but even if you need to re-do your fish, as there are no burned or carved scales to deal with, you can re-coat with no loss of definition.

Another method is to check a taxidermy supply and pick up an embossing roller with the scale pattern you want. A bit pricey but it works for taxidermists.

Al

[AlArchie]

There is a third technique I have used that is found in Richard Roth's "Carving Fish and Pond Life" book.

It is good for small scaled fish such as trout and salmon, but probably should be limited to carvings of 10" or less.

Once you have established the areas to be scaled, begin at the spine, up near the head and draw with a pencil a diagonal line at about 45 degrees all the way down to the mid belly point. Now you will need to draw parallel lines to this one all the way back to the caudal fin. Next go back to the front and draw lines OPOSITE of the first one at 45 degrees, creating a pattern of small diamonds all the way back to the caudal fin. You will want these lines about 1/16" apart.

Using a small "V" gouge or even a wood burner, go over all these lines creating a "checkered" pattern similar to those done on gun stocks. The pattern cuts should be very shallow as they will be painted over and only provide a hint of the scale pattern. It sounds a bit odd but it really works out quite well.

This is also a somewhat time consuming process but still a lot quicker than burning individual scales.

Now, here's my bit of advice......You have spent a considerable amount of time carving your fish, why rush the finishing touches. Scaling and painting ARE time consuming processes, but patience will pay off in these two areas.

Al

[Hugh-P]

Great stuff Al Archie, I printed both ideas and now have them saved with my reference material. My fish scaling was in need of advice. Thanks

[flyfisher]

In addition to Al's techniques, which I use, you may also try a very hard lead, fine point drafting pencil or a Kolrosing Knife to draw in the scale patterns. These work for small fish.
The Fishcarving2 website has a lot of ideas for detailing (no pun intended) fish carvings.

[watercarving]

The veiling technique will give you a look of scales but not the shadows and feel you will get from a burner. The bigger your fish gets the more important to have burned scales.

Smaller fish and fish with small scales (trout) look fine done with a veil.