ANATOMY IS THE HEART OF TAXIdermy. Without question, the study of anatomy should follow hand in hand for the serious student desiring to learn this art. When I first began my practice of taxidermy as an eager 15-year-old, I diligently followed the sage advice offered in that great old course, “The Northwestern School of Taxidermy,” and traced bird and animal carcasses and recorded measurements from day one.

Because drawing reinforces learning, the first thing we begin with in my instruction courses is learning to make an accurate anatomy drawing. A contact outline of a bird is traced out and then, after skinning, the precise carcass position is determined and carefully drawn in using calipered measurements. Movement ranges and limitations of the legs, wings, and neck are discussed and noted....

...Continued in the Spring 2005 Issue of Breakthrough.

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