Good modeling compounds for modeling bone are Sculp-Ease, Sculp-Epox, or any
similar 2-part epoxy putty sold commercially through taxidermy companies
(McKenzie, Jonas, etc).  They have a drying time of about an hour, a modeling
consistency similar to stiff clay, and can be built up in layers.  Most are
available in a neutral color that closely approximates bone.  They can be
pre-dyed with watercolor, oil, or acrylic paints, and the finished product
can be painted with acrylics or oils.  For bone, texture is often as
important as color.  Texture can be sculpted or carved into the epoxy, or
latex peel-molds can be used to transfer texture from real bone to the
sculpture.

Although epoxy putties are convenient for sculpture, I do not recommend
applying them directly to bone for reconstruction.  Epoxies are not archival,
will yellow and embrittle with exposure to UV, and are not reversible nor
easily removed from a specimen.  For reconstructions directly to bone, I
recommend an archival, reversible mixture of cotton paper pulp and a
water-based, reversible glue.  Cotton rag paper can be purchased through art
supply stores as paper used for intaglio prints.  It can be blended into a
pulp in a common household blender and mixed with University Products pH
Neutral Adhesive, Jade R, or Promacto to make a reversible, water-based, pH
neutral modeling compound.

For casting purposes, a good, slow-cure epoxy is available from Douglas and
Sturgess.  It is relatively low toxicity, can be thickened with cabosil, and
takes dye well.  Douglas and Sturges also sells powdered dyes in a complete
palette that are easier to handle and mix than liquid dyes.

Literature that may be helpful includes:

Vertebrate Paleontological Techniques.  May and Leiggi, Ed.  1993, I think.

 If you have any questions, feel free to email me here, or at
[log in to unmask]

Regards,
Kyle McQuilkin
Preparator
Paleontology Division
Museum of Texas Tech

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).