guybell

I wanted to see if I could do something in the style of Al Stohlman, so I sketched out a drawing from one of his pieces and basically used the same techniques that he taught in his many books. A lot of work.

Just got this in the mail today. $150 on Amazon and works like a charm. After some problems with snaps on my last project I did some research and this tool sounded like an affordable answer.

Just saw this and I really appreciate the feedback. I have a great respect for the tradition of leathercraft and look forward to learning all that I can.

Thanks Monica!

Finally put other projects aside and finished case.

Thanks, joet, that's really nice of you. There is some amazing talent on here that I hope to learn from. Also, if anyone is interested, I used an old Craftool F119 for the hair. I don't reall care for the hairtool with blades that is often recommended.

Carved and dyed wolf I did last night.

Nice work!

Thanks! I'm fairly near you down in VA so maybe we can do a project together sometime.Finished up coloring on pin up project.

Beautiful! Really amazing when you see the size those flowers really are.

Working on more pin ups tonight. Face referenced from an old Gil Elvgren painting.

More pin up carving.

Doing some coloring

Pic of roughing in the face

Carved The Duke. Will start coloring tomorrow, hopefully.

Thank you. I looked at a bunch of pinups until I found a face I liked and then drew it from that. The face is from an old painting from Baron von Lind who did incredible pinup girl art. I just started carving but but I color them the same way I paint, which is to use the leather as the mid- tone. Then all you need is a light brown and a dark brown and finish with white acrylic for any highlights.

Figure practice on pinup

Working out colors for portrait

Working out the initials for front of case. The portrait will be in a circle on the back.

Oops. Forgot to attach briefcase pic that I referred to.

Thanks! I started 3 months ago but have invested a ton of time and money into learning the art. The hand control is very much like pinstriping and I did that years ago so it feels pretty intuitive. I plan on retiring in 10 years and wanted something that would bring in a little extra money and keep me busy. I am most comfortable with Western Floral but in doing some research on what people in my area (Virginia, outside of Washington D.C.) would most want, it seemed to be dogs and horses on bags and purses.The dog is the first figure carving I did, mainly trying to get a grip on dyeing. It is straight out of a Stohlman book on figure carving. The briefcase I just finished for myself for work