Tool dip is great. We only get Green/Red/Black around here though but it's really durable. I did the basecoat last night on hair/eye backs/inner ears with just acrylic paint. The nose will be latex + acrylic to give it yet a slightly different texture than the other bare parts. The latex fills the pores of the foam fuller than just paint alone so it turns out smoother but with that animal-like texture still to it.

I know an automotive supply place locally that will mix anything and put it in a spray can. Comes at a price though they're never cheap. They might be able to color clear tool dip for me and put it in a can. Now that's in my brain I will have to stop by next week and see what they can whip up for me, regardless if I have it in time to use on this character or not.

I'll post up last nights progress + tonights work later. I'm going to be finishing up the shaping of the foam tonight, latexing the nose, and preparing it to be furred.

Oh.. ok I guess you can use some fur on him.   No I think you are right on target. I like the idea of the nose being bare if you can work it out. Maybe even use the latex + paint combo on it also. I used spray on tool dip for a puppets belly once and it worked out pretty well. Similar to what you are doing actually.  The only problem with the tool dip is that color choice is limited. I wanted green and they had it in green.  I did use Design Master spray paint to shade the green and the sealed with the clear tool dip spray. It was a commission piece so I can't really say though how long it held up.

Here's some pics from the other night and tonight.. Most of the paint and latex is done. Just need to do 1-3  more coats of highlighting / extra pieces and it should be good to go. Each time I use a color to highlight I end up cutting 2-3 more hair plugs and painting them that color base. So I'm going to end up with extras and I'll just use whatever fits best for both shape/color when that part of assembly is upon me.

Did round 1 of the nose. This ones easy since I can be sloppy with it because fabric will be covering it up to the noses edge and tucked under it for a clean finished look. Was able to get 2-3 coats done and I'll probably do it 1 or 2 more times to be happy with it and build it up. Other pieces like inner ear painted, eye backs painted but need the edges painted now I forgot to do that tonight.

Onto the pics. I type enough as it is

Inner ears painted close-up:


A first coat hair shot, and then another of some highlights and pieces painted a second color (right side on pic 2 still wet):





Some random parts drying:



And the nose with latex 2nd coat wet on it:

I can't wait to see this finished. Looking good.

I like it! What's the body gonna be? Foam as well?

Body will be mostly foam based, covered in the fur. Tail is going to be partially prehensile so he can hang from his tail off branches.

I'm thinking about making his eyebrows move now to give him a little more character.. A little late in the planning stages than i'd want but it's still just a foam base so it won't be a problem.

I like it! What's the body gonna be? Foam as well?

Spent most of the weekend resting and working on the new website. RL work has been kicking my butt lately so I ended up passing out on the couch instead of doing more work. Tonight I'll get back down here early and get a good chunk done.

Best part of weekend was actually going to the new art supply store on the island. Blick has been around 100 years just never close to where I live. Picked up a bunch of things I needed, got their student/teacher discount card (my wife works @ a college), and checked out the store isle by isle lol.

Wait a minute...The Island!  I read that and went.... "He is living in paradise!"  Then I checked your profile and saw you where in NY.

NY is paradise to me! I'm 5 min from the beach, 15min from NYC.

Bad habit most long islanders refer to it as the island, never realizing 99% of the world doesn't realize we're just filthy NYers

Wait a minute...The Island!  I read that and went.... "He is living in paradise!"  Then I checked your profile and saw you where in NY.

Just to butt in re: island paradise... we don't have any craft stores and I think I need to go to to the mainland for some black felt.   -florida keys.

Just to butt in re: island paradise... we don't have any craft stores and I think I need to go to to the mainland for some black felt.   -florida keys.

And here I sit in KCMO with snow still on the ground. I spent the winter in Tampa Florida for a couple years and really liked it.  But we digress.... now back to our regularly scheduled thread.