I've got a finishing question about my cat/mouse carving. I've got a two base coats of latex paint on the cat and two on the mouse. I'm planning on doing a graining effect, with oil-based stains, to achieve the fur texture and a water based paint for the white area of the cat. Question is, can I apply a coat of shellac to protect everything when done? TIA

Don't trust my advice but I was under the impression that shellac was a universal undercoating so it stands to reason it could be used as an "Overcoat" for those finished.

My response would be the same as Lews. Hopefully @kmealy can chime in.

Lew is spot on . Shellac is a universal sealer and both oil and water based finishes work with it. You can seal a oilbased finish with it and the apply water based. Not sure how it would hold up to heavy use but it can be done.

Here's the finished painting of the folk cat. I'm not too taken with the way that it turned out but I did my best with paints that I had. Once the shellacking has been done, I'll replace them with longer ones. The short ones are there so the holes don't fill with shellac.

That should strike terror in the hearts of all the mice in the shop!  Love it!!!

Love it! That cat turned out awesome Rick. The mouse isn't faring well though. Thanks for taking us along. Looking forward to seeing it with his whiskers.

Hey in that orientation the mouse looks more like a mouse. Reminds me of the cat in Alice in Wonderland.

Cat is finished. Too much gloss for the cat? Whiskers too large?

Personally I love the finish look on the cat.

Whiskers may be a tad "stiff." If you want to deviate from all wood, whiskers of heavy fishing line or .065"-.080" string trimmer line might work. Just a thought.

Edited January 22Jan 22 by Grandpadave52

I'm with Dave, the finish is great but the whiskers do have a stiff look. Still a nice project, well done!

Bristles from a horse hair foxtail brush might also work. Fantastic piece of art, Rick!

Like the finish , it pops the yes. Thought the tooth pics were temp so right in line with suggestions