I've been playing around with a different primer. It's called gesso, and it is what artists use to prime canvas for painting. I like it because it covers better and is porous. Being porous gives me an opportunity to do some things I can't do with a slick hard surface. (FYI, I haven't used this material on any of the baits I'm selling, just my personal stash. I don't know how it will hold up) Anyway...I was working on a pattern yesterday and hated the results. Little alcohol on a cotton ball takes care of that. Except, the gesso didn't come off with the alcohol, but it did crack. None of the other baits I've done has had this happen, so I'm guessing the alcohol was the cause. It didn't start cracking right away. I had already started painting something else. Since this bait goes in my own personal box, I thought I'd just see what I could do to work with the cracks.

My first thought was to make it look like a rusty crack, that I thought looked more like blood than rust. So I speckled some red on the cheeks and used the air to make it run (ala Gonzo). I like the results-sans the crack. I'm gonna give it a go, and may add the scheme to my arsenal.

some of the coolest stuff and innovative patterns come from those happy accidents (i'm channeling bob ross now). keep working with it and see where it takes you. i like it.
another way is to put a light mist of red near the gills and mist that with water to make it run. very little paint and very very little water.

Nice effect, lots of possibilities. Thanks for sharing.