When Do I Use The Neatsfoot Oil On This Design Or Do I?

[DoubleC]

I drew a bison from a cave drawing I found online and I'm uploading both here. I just noticed when I was drawing it, the cave background was a sandy color. So I'd like to leave the area around the bison that color. I'm going to cut this out to make a bronc noseband. I was going to inlay the red with some leather I have that's almost a match for the color but I decided to paint the bison with acrylics instead. I want to wet the leather lightly and distress it first before I start painting. Do I want to use neatsfoot oil on the background to keep it sandy, or perhaps another technique? I've never used neatsfoot so I don't know what order it should go in. Should I do the painting first and then put neetsfoot over all of it, let it dry and then put resolene on it? Or should I put the oil all over it before painting, let it dry and then start the painting? Thanks for your help. Cheryl

[Tree Reaper]

Cheryl;

I only use neatsfoot oil on items that I'm bending like a glasses case.

You can use it for other applications but if you over do it your stains won't work properly.

Just a single light coat and let dry 24 hours.

A resist might be a better option for what you want to achieve.

[DoubleC]

Hey Kevin. TO gave me some ideas and I've changed how I did it. I did the cutout for the red, and then burnished the inside edges to smooth them out then to indicate the darker area I burnished it with a t-shirt and a little bit of water, and smudged some pencil on. I just finished with that and taking a break.

[Tree Reaper]

Some day I want to tear off a chunk of soft sponge, lightly apply a diluted resist and use it to mottle the finish.

Edited February 10, 2013 by Tree Reaper

[DoubleC]

do you think that would look good on the background...I mean obviously sand caves aren't all the same color? Or maybe even try it on the red after I do some penciling in of the eye etc before I put resolene on it? It would be a cool look if I could achieve it.

[Tree Reaper]

I would only attempt something new like that on scrap first.

[DoubleC]

Well I'm finished I think with the project, and going to submit it tonight. I'd love critiques. Thanks Cheryl