At least you have a sense of humor about it. It really doesn't look that bad. Is it a lost cause or can you salvage it with some sort of decoration? Maybe use that humor to give him a new life.

I'll admit to being artistically challenged but I like it. Maybe in person it looks bad but the picture is nice. Maybe you could try rub and buff which is available in many finishes. Sorry you are disappointed.

Honestly, I like it! It looks almost antique now.

It does look worse in person, satine!

Cindymac, I could hang a sign from his neck that says "DIY victim"

Or one that says "Ho, Ho, Not."

I like the darker antlers. I second the miracle that rub and buff can sometimes perform. Has saved me a few times. Don't give up!

He is so handsome that other than painting him pink, you couldn't make him look bad.

He looks kind of copperish to me. Maybe add some silver and green decorations around him.

By describing him and your efforts, unfortunately he is now a real thing so you do have to keep him. ;)

He looks a lovely gold to me but I can see that he would not look good in person. Did you use spray paint?

Oh no! He looks great in the photo (aged with a patina), even if he is a distant distant cousin of my deer! I'm sorry he didn't turn out like you hoped. I would still use him during the holidays.

Oh, I can so relate. Sorry for your disaster (though I agree with others that it still looks pretty nice in the photos), but I always appreciate when others share their DIY "don'ts" so I don't feel like I'm the only one. :)

I really like the after. The multi-color tone looks more natural than all one color.

Thanks for the laugh today. I just got up from the floor (almost had to call for help) washing up a spill of a LARGE cup of Crystal Light. Did I mention that the rug was less than 30 days old?

My friend says I should try to wax it. Sound like an insane idea?

If you don't know what to try next, what about using a white spray primer, then a coat of flat white paint and then the stain. It might end up being easier to make it a white deer antiqued than an antique deer lightened

I may try rub n buff first. Maybe if I put him up high where he won't be subject to close scrutiny...... Well I can hardly make him worse, right? Painting him pink and tying a big green ribbon round his neck would be perfect for DD's room.

Allison....a verrrry distant cousin to yours!

A lot of my attempts like this just do not pan out. I can see what I want in my mind but cannot make it happen. That is why I am in such awe of GWers herie who upholster, paint, do their own wall murals, and their own decorating start to finish. It is a joy to see the skilled craftsmanship in your homes!

kswl2 - I so completely agree with you. I have a major disconnect between my vision and my hands.

You're right, Kippy but I don't think I have that ability to know how much antiquing to do after he is painted. I have a few things to try. He may get a reprieve.

If I could make him look like wood he could go on my DR table until we decorate for Christmas. I put out what I think of as the autumn runner because the background color is gold. I don't think I have had this one in the table since the chairs were recovered and it looks better than I could have imagined. This is still my favorite runner with the curtains also.

If I was looking at those three online, I'd buy the one you stained!

Curtain, upholstery and runner together. Autumnish?

Now i want to find an actual wood deer, lol!

I am not sure you would think so if you saw it in person, Tibb. It looks like it has been in an industrial accident.

Poor Bambi's Dad.

I've been putting off a project involving gel stain because I'm askeert of what will develop. At least you tried! White paint and glaze sound good to me for your dear deer.

They make that brownish primer, maybe that would be a good base for the wood look?

Not on the same scale, but eons ago i got a bunch of those craft paper machete deer. First I spray painted them one color, did not like it, then gold, did not like that, then I coated in the crackle medium and once dry painted with white and I ended up with something I really liked.

I can relate to being frustrated by a project that just went completely wrong :-( But, is he totally not salvageable? I have never ever thought of painting a resin figure before, so good on you for that creative idea! Maybe now that you have removed the original coating, whatever you try will be more successful. I like spray paint, then follow that up with some glazing detail.

I don't see a thing wrong with him. Put him on Etsy and you will see!

Kswl, I think you are being too hard on yourself. I think your deer looks great. He may not be exactly what you pictured, but give yourself a little time. He may grow on you!

Oh Kswl, I think he looks pretty good even if it's not what you had in mind!! I got a chuckle out of the story though. I've had projects go sideways and it bugs me when my finished result isn't what I had in mind. A little antique gold Rub N Buff would help even him out. They make a copper color as well as 'patina'. Place him up high, but I bet nobody else thinks poorly of Mr. Deer.

Before I waxed, which would be really hard to remove, I'd try one of the metallic spray paints. It won't get you what your original hope was, but it could yield a far more interesting looking deer. And if you don't like it, you can always try something else.

This might be way gaudy, but what if he were covered in glitter!!!

I honestly think he looks great, and your photo can't be THAT far off from reality. Although it's not light like Allison's, it DOES look good!

melle, I thought the exact same thing! What if she painted him in a metallic silver or gold or even glitter.

The other alternative would be to paint it an ivory color and then use a soft brown glaze on top...I'd actually use a watered down tan acrylic....lots of wiping off so it just catches in the shadows. After that, if it looks ok, then try waxing for more of the finish you were looking for.

Glitter, lol! I was trying for a more understated vibe. I actually have a set of three white ceramic deer and the stag has gold antlers, so I probsbly have more than my quota of deer bling. :-)

He looks like a old plastic toy---the kind old the paint rubbed off, when the color wasn't throughout the substance of which it was made. The surface is discolored, but if you looked at it from far enough away it almost could pass as wood, but it is very matte. That is why I was considering the wax my friend suggested, thinking it would put a little depth into the appearance and make it look more like polished wood.

Here is a picture of my deer family from last year's Christmas photos. I forgot that they are all wearing gold wreaths about their necks!

Annie, that is the other route I am considering.i did want something darker but that may be the only way to salvage this guy.

it really doesn't look godawful from your pics.

I will caution you about using anything that contains wax (rub n buff is waxy substance) until you have tried everything else. Wax will be harder to remove if you decide to prime and paint.

ML

Wax is generally used after paint. There is an antiquing wax or a liming wax (which is whitish in color), or you could do as Annie suggested. Do you perhaps have a friend or know someone who paints? If so, perhaps they would be willing to do it.

A quick google of "antiquing resin" came up with this....How to antique resin.

hope it helps.

I think it's one of those issues where you're looking at him too closely. Surrounded by greenery, pinecones a few berries and he'll blend into a woodsy scene.

If you want to start over Wisteria.com has Allison's for sale again.

I have nothing to add, but have you seen this blog? It's hysterical.

http://www.mypinstrositylife.com

There is spray paint for plastic. Find one with a flat finish. I know you can do this.

I don't know what you used, but simple tubes of reeves acrylic paint that they sell at places like acmoore can really look nice and are easy to work with! you could pick up a couple of different colors to play around a bit with a 'mottled look'... (the raw umber is a great shade of dark brown) you could mix the paint with water to help it be a little transparent...

don't give up! with a little extra credit work you can improve your grade!!! :)

Lol, busybee!