Very nice bucklucky! I know a lot of taxidermists that just spray black on their noses and call it good. I think it speaks volumes about the detail you put into your work. Those extra efforts in detail make a big difference in the quality of a mount! Folks looking for cheap taxidermy work won't get that kind of time and effort.
What you do is similar to how I try to do noses. I use Life Tone lacquer based paints with an air brush and I don't do quite as many steps.
After thoroughly cleaning the nose pad, I apply modge podge nodules over the top of the deers natural nodules. Once this has cured, I apply a flesh tone color over the entire nose. Next, I carefully highlight a little black on each of the protruding nodules. I like to be a bit darker on the exposed or protruding areas and leave the lighter flesh tones where the areas are protected, especially near the lower portion of the nose pad. Then I use a mixture of dark brown & black to carefully blend without losing the detail. Once I get this where I'm satisfied, I mist straight laquer thinner which sort of blends the colors creating a nice affect. I finish this off with a clear gloss. A very similar process. I learned this at a taxidermy seminar in Portland Oregon about 9 or 10 years ago.
Great job! Thanks for taking the extra time to share your process!
