YinTx

Normally the backgrounding is done at the end of the work.  This allows you to make modifications, if needed, such as adding stems or leaves, or just filling a space differently than you had intended.  If you background first, you are locked in.  Do you know that as you tool, if the leather seems to be drying out too rapidly, you can lay it face down on the stamping surface for a few minutes and the surface will effectively re-wet itself?  I prefer to wet the surface lightly with a sponge, even if I have to wait for it to reach the desired moisture level.