DoubleC

I see a whale actually does have lines and I love the shadowing on those pics, excellent example. If you could find one facing the direction of yours it would show you what I tried so ineptly to explain. As for the wet look you could burnish it, leave the leather naturally colored and just put a finish on it. Or you can paint the picture which would be awesome using color and light but quite another lesson I hope to have on here. Thank you for your kind words. I've been told I'm running this 'wrong' because I didn't do it the way it was done last year. If people are having fun and learning then how can it be wrong? Thank you for joining us on this journey. Cheryl

Thanks Harley, the tooling isn't done yet and I have a lot to do. I was discouraged by the image itself and just plain sick of it so put it up for a day, but will be back at it by Friday. I know what emboss means but not in this context. Can you explain? Thanks, Cheryl

Here ya go, it's under tooling leather. You can get this in 4oz and also they'll cut as much as you want, don't have to get a whole side. http://springfieldleather.com/20623/Side%2CTooling%2C2-3oz%2CSoft/ Cheryl

OK horse needs help, any and all comments from you guys welcome.

This is ground control to major Tom. I had a couple of things I wanted to say about this challenge. I'm making a portfolio and I've punched 152 lacing holes in each side of it. 1, well because I hate doing that so decided to get it out of the way. 2, because it allowed me to put off doing my actual design a little longer. I want to tell you what a pleasure it's been getting to know each one of you a little better. You've been absolutely fearless about this in a way I'll never be about a new project. I always approach it with excitement and anxiety. I have watched each of you throw yourself into this with abandon and I hope that's something I can personally take away from this. Reg even streamed his tooling of the project which I would never think of doing at least not where I am at this point in my life. I've put off everything for as long as I can so I am actually setting up to start the design but I just wanted to thank you folks. Cheryl

Hi Mitch. I would use orange acrylic paint instead. That would repel water better and show up more. You may even be able to find it in a neon color, I don't know. Just apply it like you do resolene....watered down, and several light coats until you get the color you want. Cheryl

Hi Harley. I went back and looked at the picture so I could see if I could help. Since that it as pencil sketch the lines were drawn to shadow the parts that are shaded from the sun. I don't think they should be lines in leather though. You want the underneath of the tail more burnished than the top where the sun would hit it. I think I would use something smooth to do that since a whale doesn't really have lines on it's skin. I think I'd practice with a pear shader used lightly on all of the underneath or a spoon, or maybe even a background tool which might add dapples from the water and sun that would hit in spots on the underneath. Practice on something else first though to see what looks the most natural for whale skin and sun shaded. And the top curve of the tail would be shaded like in the picture if the sun is coming from the left or straight down. If the sun is coming from the right the underneath wouldn't be as shaded as in the original. I hope I'm making the least bit of sense. If you even use a lamp and play around with say something that stands upright maybe it will make more sense, like a glass or a vase. look at where the shadows are if you use a glass and a small piece of cardboard or a playing card, anything to indicate the end of the tail shadowing the side of the glass. You did an excellent job on this and I'm very excited about seeing it done. Cheryl

Beautiful Job. Cheryl

I too have watched this on FB. I think it's absolutely stunning. All the work you've put into it really shows. Cheryl

Don't worry about it Q, I'll see if Rae Nae will step in with her lesson she's going to do on portraits. I can't do people at all and she's pretty amazing. Then we'll just move the schedule forward a month. I have been cleaning and organizing my house for two days now, I just couldn't work in the mess anymore. Not hard but time consuming when you leave things lying around instead of putting them where they belong Cheryl

Hi Jonathan. I can't believe how far you've come on your project. I'm really feeling bad about mine now I really really like your design. As far as the shading on the grave stone I liked the sandpaper a lot if it doesn't run outside of the stone. And I also liked the E294 a lot too. Actually all of them looked good. I'm sorry I can't be more help on that but I just really like all the looks, don't think you can go wrong no matter what you do. Cheryl

Is it aluminum or cast iron? Thanks, Cheryl

Geat job, really turned out nice. Cheryl

You guys have out done yourself, and now I have two finished entries, and a wonderful drawing and I've found myself stuck in gear spinning mode. Haven't started on putting mine to leather yet although I have a nice clean room too work in now, so maybe today's the day? Wish me a little luck or at least some energy Q love your Harley Quinn, can't wait to see what you decide to do with it. And reg your dye is going to look awesome on your piece.

Reg the pictures is awesome. I can't wait to see it on leather. Cheryl

Very beautiful, Cheryl

Jonathan I love the idea of sandpaper. You're thinking much faster outside the box than I am and I can't wait to see it. Hurry up ok? LOL.Cheryl

Well that's a good point. I think it would definitely hurt

Reg I think you did an incredible job on whipping this up, and I'm so glad you decided to join us. My only suggestion would be to leave the drops off the back wall because I'm not exactly sure what they are, lol. I think you did an excellent job on perspective and can't wait to see it finished. Cheryl

As usual your work looks absolutely perfect to me. Cheryl

Jonathan I love your piece and think it turned out awesome. I don't think the line of the stone looks like a mistake. In answer to your questions I have some ideas and hope the one for the stone works. The bat is a matter of preference and I wouldn't add it because to me nature is seldom symmetric, but it won't ruin the picture. I was trying to think about how gravestones look. They aren't really marbled, but they do have a texture to them, some kinda rough. If I was going to try and get that look I would use a pear shader sparingly to make some places darker that others like a stone is. Also the smaller the better. You don't want it too busy I don't think. Also you mentioned your spoon so maybe that would work even better to indicate some texture. It's an awesome piece. Cheryl

Hi Harley. We would love to have you participate. I went to the blog, downloaded the image itself and putting it up here for you. When you want to post a picture just click the 'more reply options' at the bottom of the post. Welcome 'aboard' LOL. Beautiful sketch. Cheryl

Q you are anything but a jerk. You have faithfully helped all of us. Cheryl

Hi Celtic, I have lightingale coming to look right now. I'd be more than happy to help. Cheryl

Beautiful. Cheryl