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I can't help admiring this. It's beautiful. I am trying to improve my tooling. Do you know any good resources for learning?

That's really nice work, Bob!

11 hours ago, Stetson912 said:

I can't help admiring this. It's beautiful. I am trying to improve my tooling. Do you know any good resources for learning?

Thanks Stetson!  There are a lot of good sources out there.  One of the best is the book 'Sheridan Style Carving' by Bill Gardner and Clinton Fay.  Tandy carries this book but you can get it other places as well.  It is a great resource on what kinds of tools to use and how to use them.  If video is more your thing Tandy has some videos in their Premium video library (I haven't seen them) but Chan Geer sells quite a few videos that I have seen and he is a really good teacher.  And of course Tandy has the old Al Stohlman books on carving that really are good places to start.

Also, if you ever get the chance to go to one of the leather shows, either the one in Prescott, AZ or to the Sheridan show, take some of the classes.  Some of the best carvers in the world teach at those classes and you will really learn a lot.

I looked at your recent piece you posted in the Floral Carving section.  You are off to a good start.  I wouldn't agree that it would help you to use smooth bevelers or shaders.  One of the key components in carving these days is the use of checkered tools so they can capture the antique you apply later and add depth. It's a matter of taste though and some really good pros have moved to using smooth tools.  I do think your beveller has too coarse a checker on it, and your shaders are probably too big for the petals you are using them on.  If you are looking to upgrade any of your tools I would start with your bevellers.  Having good bevellers can make a world of difference in your tooling.  I'd also say your leather was probably too wet when you were tooling it.  Let it dry to where it almost seems too dry, then if you hit the leather with your shader and it noticeably darkens, you've got it just right.

Finally, study the works of the pros you really like.  As you get more experience you will be able to look at their tooling and you will be able to tell what kinds of tools they used and how they used them.  That's where you will really start to excel and to develop your own style.

Hope this helps,

Bob

Thanks Bob! I'll definitely start looking into those things. I just got some different tools. The bevelers are finly checkered and I'm hoping this helps. To Hanks for all the suggestions!