Members CitizenKate Posted March 11, 2007 Members Report Posted March 11, 2007 Here's something a little different I'm playing with. I've been doing a lot of small projects lately, just for a break from all the big game board projects, and also still searching for projects I can use up my smaller pieces of leather on... I've always loved those little retractable key cases for which you can buy kits from Tandy, Hidecrafter, etc. This one is "from scratch" though, using a little better grade of leather than what comes in the kits, and I also fasten the keyring to the retractable strap with rivets, instead of snaps, because the snaps are not very secure and someone could lose their keys. This just shows the cover after carving. I'm in "learning and experimenting mode" on this one, so if anyone has suggestions on the carving, feel free to speak up. Also, the coloring... I have some Createx pearlized colors (acrylic, I suppose). I'd like to see irridescent green on the head and down the back side, which blends into either yellow (spirit dye) or gold (pearlized gold Createx). This is my first time to play with Createx colors, and also my first chance to try some of Clay's tips on coloring with acrylic. Suggestions there are also welcome. Kate Quote
Contributing Member ClayB Posted March 11, 2007 Contributing Member Report Posted March 11, 2007 [quote This just shows the cover after carving. I'm in "learning and experimenting mode" on this one, so if anyone has suggestions on the carving, feel free to speak up. Also, the coloring... I have some Createx pearlized colors (acrylic, I suppose). I'd like to see irridescent green on the head and down the back side, which blends into either yellow (spirit dye) or gold (pearlized gold Createx). This is my first time to play with Createx colors, and also my first chance to try some of Clay's tips on coloring with acrylic. Suggestions there are also welcome. Kate Hi Kate, When I colored my pheasant, I used regular acrylic paints first. Then went over them with irridescent colors afterwards to give that sheen. I think you could color your dragon the same way, with either acrylic or spirit dyes first. That way you could get some shading in the dragon with the regular colors, and wash the irridescents over the top to get the sheen. Putting acrylic over spirit dye isn't a problem. If you want to use spirit dyes, do it like Peter showed in his last book. Mix a few shades of green, light, medium and full strength, and a couple shades of yellow. Then you can gradually blend the green into yellow. Cant wait to see what you come up with. CLay Quote ClayB Badlands Leather Art blog Badlands Leather Art Website
Members Oscar B Posted March 12, 2007 Members Report Posted March 12, 2007 When using acrylic paint in air brush sometimes find it is to thick to spray and will use sheen to thin the paint, and this will give the acrylics a bright sheen. Quote Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would most likely be worth it."
Ambassador abn Posted March 12, 2007 Ambassador Report Posted March 12, 2007 Kate, when you're finished, I'd love to see some pictures of the full exterior and interior, if possible. I'd like to try a keycase, and I'm curious about construction methods... Best, -Alex Quote
Members SmilinJim Posted March 12, 2007 Members Report Posted March 12, 2007 Really nice work lady. Looking forward to seeing it completed. I've got some designs to send to you that I think you will like. It's some tatoo flash. I'm about to get another couple of tats. Guess I'm just getting old and crazy. Rephrase that, I'm already old. Keep on smilin Jim Quote
Members MatthewD Posted March 13, 2007 Members Report Posted March 13, 2007 Kate what would it take for you to do a tutorial on how you did this particular one? Or can you suggest a good video or book along this line. I really like how you did this one... Quote
Members CitizenKate Posted March 14, 2007 Author Members Report Posted March 14, 2007 This is just the cover, again, with all the colors applied. It still needs to be sewn together. Clay, you are the master of acrylic color. Your suggestions yielded some nice results, but I still need more practice. I will post again when the piece is finished. Oscar: Thanks for the tip! Great idea - I will try it! Alex: When I post photos of the completed project, I will show it from several views. Also, if you would like the pattern, I will gladly share it. The pieces for the keycase, that is, not the carving pattern. I am under a license agreement not to distribute it. However, if you like that design, you should check out www.tattoodles.com. Their subscription rates are very affordable, and there is a ton of material there that renders well in leather. Jim: Thanky, sir! Y'know, you could just get it done in leather and wear it. Matthew: I think I'm going to do another one of these (in another color scheme), so I could shoot photos on each step so you can see how I did this particular design. I've been wanting to make a Chinese Checkers board with an elaborate dragon design all around it, and did this to explore things I could do with a dragon's skin texture. Thanks for the comments, all. I'm hoping to finish this tomorrow... Kate Quote
Members MatthewD Posted March 14, 2007 Members Report Posted March 14, 2007 WOW!!! Kate I am even more impressed with it now.. I like the coloring on it That would make a very fancy archery arm guard if you had an archer in the family.. Quote
Members Oscar B Posted March 14, 2007 Members Report Posted March 14, 2007 WOW! Great job, excellence color choice. Oscar Quote Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would most likely be worth it."
Contributing Member ClayB Posted March 14, 2007 Contributing Member Report Posted March 14, 2007 CitizenKate said: This is just the cover, again, with all the colors applied. It still needs to be sewn together. Clay, you are the master of acrylic color. Your suggestions yielded some nice results, but I still need more practice. /quote] I've come to expect really nice stuff from you Kate and you've done it again! I like what you did with the color. Me, master of any kind of color? You better go check your can of barge cement. I think you must have left the cover off!! Clay Quote ClayB Badlands Leather Art blog Badlands Leather Art Website
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