Painting Glass Taxidermy Eyes - An Experiment

This isn't the way you're "supposed" to make taxidermy eyes, and we still need to do some more experiments. But I think it has real promise. I don't know why it feels so much easier to me to paint on paper than glass. It was fun to see how different the eyes looked after the glass was added - even the ones I painted really fast.
To see how to paint directly on the back of the glass, see Pia's post here:
www.ultimatepapermache.com/pa...
If you have any interest in painting landscapes, don't miss Jessie's "Simplified Landscapes" workshop. You can learn more about it here: paintingclassesonline.com/pro...
If you'd like to sculpt a bongo antelope from scratch, you can see my two videos about the one I made 9 years ago here (but remember that I was doing a lot of experiments when I made him, and I wouldn't necessarily do it the same way now):
Making the bongo armature: • Bongo Antelope Faux Tr...
Adding the paper mache: • Bongo Antelope Faux Tr...
Be sure to subscribe if you'd like to be notified when my new bongo antelope pattern is finished. Or just check this page: www.ultimatepapermache.com/pa...
You can see what the glass cabochons look like, before painting, here (affiliate link): amzn.to/3U3E7jY

[@JessieRasche]

Thanks so much for the opportunity and kind words! I love doing the collabs. You're awesome. It's a huge honor. ☺ And so fun to see that you managed a wonderful glow with yours. This is a crazy idea, but do you think cutting out the pupils so they're just a hole would be neat?

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Interesting - it might make the black even blacker, without any discoloration by the glue. I'll try it. Thanks for all your help. 😊

[@deathbearbrown]

I make "follow me" eyes like this for dolls and I use clear PVA glue to adhere the paper to the glass. I usually paint the eye with watercolor, then spray a finishing spray on it to make it waterproof. Then I paint on some PVA glue and squish the cabochon onto the glue, making sure there's no bubbles. I will also add a sealant like mod podge to the back of the paper to keep it waterproof, because dolls... there's a lot of hair washing. The PVA glue I have is Neutral PH, archival glue. I don't know if that matters, it's just what I have. Hope this helps!!

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Interesting! I didn't know they made a glue like that. I have used Elmer's clear glue for other things, though. It isn't archival, though. Do you have a specific brand to recommend? I really appreciate your comment, by the way. Is there someplace where we can see one of your dolls with the glass eyes? If not, would you like to share a photo on my website? You can do that here: www.ultimatepapermache.com/daily-sculptors-group-page

[@deathbearbrown]

@@UltimatePaperMache It's Lineco PH glue, but honestly elmers is probably just as good. I just have this glue left over from doing book binding in a giant refill bottle so I will be using it for the next 5 years lol. I'll take a picture of some of the eyes I've made and upload it this week! :)

[@UltimatePaperMache]

@@deathbearbrown I should be able to find some Elmer's clear the next time I can get to town. I'll give it a try. And I look forward to seeing your eyes - and your dolls. 😊

[@sandyb4693]

@@UltimatePaperMache I believe the Lineco bookbinding glue is comparable to the white Elmer's glue. They are both PVA glue's and dry clear. I use both interchangeably. I don't know what the clear Elmer's is made of, but I think it's different. I used some years ago (on general projects) and if I remember correctly they are not the same. I hope that was helpful.

[@PetrikNZ]

@@deathbearbrown Did those pictures ever get uploaded?

[@missdimples1982]

Your daughter is very talented, beautiful painting. Great to see her input on your channel too

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Thanks - and I agree. She does create some very special paintings, and she's a great teacher, too. 😊

[@ElaineBakerCreepyCaboodle]

Not that I've painted eyes to use with cabochons, but I have printed them out and stuck them onto cabochons. I've used ModPodge and also Glossy Accents and they both worked great. Smooth paper or card is a must though or you get shiny areas where the glue hasn't adhered properly. They might work with paint, I can't see why they wouldn't, but you never know. 🤞🏻

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Great tips - thanks. I'm sure you're right about the smooth paper. I need to order some to try next time.

[@corinnaakin2651]

It's always a treat when I can see both of my favorite KZbin ladies together you both are so talented

[@cyndyknighton3942]

I see someone has already suggested the UV resin. I haven't played with it, and only dabbled one time with resin in general, but I think this could be a perfect place to try the UV resin to both adhere and seal it from behind.

[@angelafessia5339]

I was thinking if you paint just the pupil on the back of the cavachon and paint the rest (actual colors) of the eye on smooth paper before glueing you may get a true black that shows through.

[@missdimples1982]

They look great, imagine all the different colour techniques we could use too. Looked like a fun experiment

[@peacefulscrimp5183]

I believe "crafsman steady crafting" paints the eye and then covers it with UV activated resin. You could probably use UV resin as the adhesive in this process as well. 🤷‍♂️ Great video 👌

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Interesting idea! I haven't watched his videos lately - I need to go back and see what I missed. Thanks for the tip. 😊

[@HopeMartinartist]

Those eyes look great! I wish I had a suggestion but reading through the comments I see so many good ones. ❤

[@UltimatePaperMache]

😊

[@alanm3438]

Thanks for the video. I bought some deer eyes for Bucky (outdoor meatal sculpture) on Etsy. The eyes were printed on paper and glued on a plastic eye lenses. I coated the back of the eye, the paper, with super glue in hopes of sealing it. I glued the eyes on to the sculpture with contact cement. Unfortunately, they did not hold up to the weather and fell off. I should have just used a carriage bolt head and washer for the eye and painted it. You are a true scientist. You are always experimenting to find out what works.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Hmmm - I hadn't thought about using the eyes outside. For that, you'd probably need to paint right on the glass, like Pia did, so there wouldn't be any paper to get wet. I used the E6000 glue to stick my toad to his leaf (before reading the health warnings on the glue's label) and it held up really well all winter. But the sculpture was sitting on the ground, with no wind moving it around. Still, it might be worth trying with your metal sculptures when a bolt won't work. (And thanks for all those awards. 😊)

[@jessicadanielson4543]

When I make eyes for my felts I use cabachons with either printed eyes or painted like you did then just use mod poge to stick it to the glass, or or sometimes I use glass eyes on posts, that are clear, and I use acrylic paint and just paint on those then I use mod poge to seal the back.so yeah try mod poge or maybe uv resin,I know the mod poge works great with paper tho like you're doing and it's cheaper 😊

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Thanks - I'll order some Mod Poge - I've never used it before, but it looks like it would do a better job. And maybe I'll find some smoother paper, too. 😊

[@jessicadanielson4543]

Yeah, check ur dollar tree, they have trial size bottles at mine maybe yours will too😊 and if you ever use gloss it smells funky so heads up, nobody told me 😂

[@susansmith1740]

I’ve done that years ago on a wolf paper mache head. I painted on just regular print paper, painted them in acrylic and used Mod Podge real lightly and rubbed it real good to get it smooth and they came out pretty darn good. I also ordered some online and they turned out to be printed on paper and glued on. I mean, I could have done that!! My last project, a life sized black bear with fake fur on it, I ended up ordering real glass taxidermy eyes for it and they were great and under 20 dollars. I say “real” glass eyes as in not painted but they are made entirely of glass.

[@lorinoyes4498]

I've used both Clear Matte Lodge Podge, and clear nail polish - both with success! Give it a try!

[@UltimatePaperMache]

I've heard of people using the nail polish. Is there a video you recommend so I can see how to do it?

[@Rioolratje]

If you have a decent printer you could also print out some pictures of animal eyes and glue those on. Regardless they turned out great! :)

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Great idea!

[@Kiri_wa_doko_desu_ka]

Used mod podge glossy on "eyes" that were printed on Lazer printer and placed on the flat of a cabochon , that was about 8 years ago and they have held up just beautifully

[@eclosion8000]

I think using UV resin to glue the paper and the glass would yield better results.

[@deanaadkins7829]

Oh and maybe let first layer varnish dry completely then use the gloss decoupage to glue them together. Just a thought.

[@Auchtahelweit]

I’ve had good results using both Diamond Glaze glue and gorilla gel super glue after looking into what some artists were using for their cabochon projects. Both went on very clear and a few years later still haven’t showed signs of yellowing. I think that would be a part of the challenge in these is using a substance that won’t change quickly over time due to light exposure. I’ve heard good things about uv resins but I’ve also heard of ones yellowing. Would take some more research for sure!

[@Auchtahelweit]

Also similar to how a varnish can enhance the colours of a painting, using the clear liquid glues will help bring out the colours of the paints through the glass. The sticks are kind of cloudy and the texture isn’t as consistent as a liquid! You can also mix in some sparkly powdered pigments into the paints to add a glimmering reflective quality and those will come through very nicely and catch the light. Finer ground ones can make an eye really seem to glow and feel lifelike.

[@deanaadkins7829]

I would think gloss decoupage or E6000 would work very well.

[@Rubiastraify]

Hi - I just discovered your channel because I was looking for out of the ordinary paper mache'. I've never painted glass eyes before, but I've worked with gemstone cabochons, and E6000 glue (clear) might do the trick. I really like how the light plays on the colors. You may also consider color-shifting acrylic paint for particular highlights in the eye. I'll have to experiment with this - great idea!

[@UltimatePaperMache]

I have some of that paint, and it didn't occur to me to try it on the eyes! I will definitely try it out when I do some more experiments. If you play around with the idea, let us know how your glass eyes turn out.

[@A4plainpaper]

UV resin works really well for this

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Yes, I'm sure that would work better. 😊

[@CrescentMoonPye]

Has anyone mentioned E6000 adhesive yet? Jewelry makers use it and it sticks to pretty much everything arty crafty so paper to glass ought to be fine. lol It dries clear and Its nice for permanent adhesion. Just curious if it would have the effect of the far right example without the cracking problem, since E6000 has a silicone-like viscosity. I wonder what I'm talking about, lol. Just working out the experiment in my head without actually trying it. If I was making these eyes, that would be my experiment. (I'm still just at the paper clay/mache stage... just bought 2 of your paper recipe books last week so this video is good for my future playing.) I would also be trying a 2-part clear epoxy as a glue and see what kind of depth/radiance that would cause - sealing the paper on backside of paper too so it wouldn't be affected by moisture/humidity in future. My guess is that the epoxy should stick the paper to the glass permanently without cracking, but just guessing becuz i haven't tried any of this. As yet. Or ... seal the paper part in a thin epoxy 'disk' shape [use silicone earring mould] and after its dry, set it behind the glass cabochon part? How much extra depth would that add/subtract to realism? Color loss/increase? Double the depth of field, double the realistic fun... distortion good or bad? Or put the paper in the silicone jewelry mould, pour in the epoxy, then squish the glass cabochon over the top and let all three parts dry and become one unit? round cabochon silicone mould? fill with epoxy and stick paper eye gently on top before it cures, lay on like paper marbling technique to avoid air pocket. So many questions, so little time to find out. For me anyway. Ill be watching what you come up with. Fun video thanks for posting it. p.s. Im a fan of using Polycrylic urethane with my acrylic paint craft projects. Maybe that would work to adhere glass with no cracking? I like the light effects/depth in the third eye best.

[@habadababa31415]

maybe if the back of the eye is stable and flat you could use superglue on the borders where it might be hidden by fur or something?

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Yes, I think that might work. It's definitely worth trying. Thanks for the idea! 😊

[@habadababa31415]

@@UltimatePaperMache thank you for sharing your artistry

[@rwight3611]

Question. How did the outdoor paper mache from a few years ago stand up in the elements? Thank you.

[@jonmabary1638]

I make eyeballs and props so any questions ask me

[@brianlehmkuhl8162]

Mod Poge gloss!

[@susansmith1740]

I have a question for you. I want to try your outdoor paper mache with the portland cement but I was thinking of using dryer lint instead of toilet paper, just seems like it would be more durable. Have you ever incorporated dryer lint in a paper clay recipe? Thought I’d ask first just in case you have. I’ve learned all I know from you! I have an entry door that was put in where a garage door used to be and there is that space around the door left over that I would like to sculpt something around it. I’m thinking trees and maybe some bear cubs, I live in Southeast Alaska so we don’t get the severe weather most of Alaska gets plus it will be under a deck so kinda protected. Thank you.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

I haven't tried dryer lint instead of paper. Quite a few people told me they intended to try it with the original paper mache clay recipe, but I can't remember anyone telling us if it worked or not. We also haven't heard from anyone in Alaska who has experimented with the paper cement clay, so I hope you'll let us know how your sculpture holds up. It sounds like a wonderful design. Have fun with it! 😊

[@susansmith1740]

@@UltimatePaperMache Thank you so much for your reply! When I get on with the project, it has to warm up more first here, I will give you a report on the dryer lint. It may fail immediately but I want to give it a whirl. I just finished a full size black bear with a movable head covered in fake fur. The only paper mache part is the head and mainly your paper clay recipe. I’ve also, in the past, made a full sized Sven from the movie, Frozen along with Olaf and other projects. I’m mainly a wood carver so paper mache is something I do for fun on the side. Thanks again for your reply.

[@corinnaakin2651]

Modge podge may work

[@jonmabary1638]

Or a thin flim of uv resin

[@shanemercer95]

Judi Kins 'Diamond glaze'

[@partyplanningcommittee1437]

Isnt cabochon a great word to say 😊

[@HcocoH]

Hey Jonny, I saw someone making eye chips for Blythe dolls and they use glossy paper to paint their design and then they drop E6000 glue in the center of the design and press the glass chip on it. They look clear and bright. don't know if that could help.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Thanks! I have some of that glue, and I might try it.

[@dollyglitter]

What size are the cabochons?

[@roxannemoore5789]

Check out Rachel De Barros ( Free lesson : Painting Realiistic Creature Eyes on Glass Domes & ...

[@juliodias6041]

Does anyone know where I can get some 32mm cabochons?

[@luzstellatorresmoreno8675]

👍👍❤😘😘🌻🌻🙏🙏🙏

[@UltimatePaperMache]

😊

[@Deer_Woman]

what if you paint directly on the glass but on the flat side?

[@UltimatePaperMache]

That works really well. Click on the link in the description to Pia's tutorial showing how to do it.

[@locustslacker6614]

U L T I M A T E

[@roxannemoore5789]

I found a real good video on KZbin Heather's Treasures she has a simple way how she does eyes check her out easiest eye painting technique

[@UltimatePaperMache]

I will check that out. Thanks!

[@jonmabary1638]

5 min.epoxy or modpodge

[@karengrosso5428]

Why not just paint right on the glass? Fingernail polish works great

[@lisaruchstudio]

Any type of gloss gel medium would work well and not be as slippery as using varnish or even mod podge. Also Weld Bond PVA glue is magical, imo.

[@UltimatePaperMache]

Thanks for the tip. I ordered some, and hope to play with it soon, 😊