Members RidgebackCustoms Posted July 31 Members Report Posted July 31 Rather than post a new thread for each project (posted 2 in the show-off thread), figured I'd just start a thread I and others could add to. I'm learning to do portraits. I started down the rabbit hole doing comic book art carvings. I struggled with the faces, so started researching how to do it better and that effort expanded into pursuing realistic portraits. I've really enjoyed the learning process. I'm hoping this thread can turn into lessons learned, progress photos, and a place for others that may be pursuing the same goal to ask questions. My number one tool I've found besides practice is the videos from Elk Track Studios by Annie Libertini. I've downloaded and used those, but was also fortunate to be able to take one of her live classes in 2024 at Sheridan. The first photos here are a self-portrait of me and my wife and a portrait of CSM Billy Waugh. Annie recommends not doing portraits with teeth, as they look weird. After doing the self-portrait, I can confirm. Would definitely recommend not doing toothy smiles. CSM Billy Waugh is an amazing figure in military history. If you don't know who it is and you want to kill > 1 hour of time check out the video. (The video contains a lot of military humor / crass humor, so be forewarned). Quote
CFM chuck123wapati Posted July 31 CFM Report Posted July 31 Those are looking good, my friend. I haven't done many human portraits in leather, but I did do my Beagle. I used pyrography and less modeling. But i'll bet they could go well together. Quote Worked in a prison for 30 years if I aint shiny every time I comment its no big deal, I just don't wave pompoms. “I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” THE DUKE!
Members RidgebackCustoms Posted July 31 Author Members Report Posted July 31 4 hours ago, chuck123wapati said: I used pyrography and less modeling. But i'll bet they could go well together. It's definitely on my list to integrate into my work, but no pyrography experience on leather. Are you a trial and error guy or do you know any tutorials I should check out? Quote
CFM chuck123wapati Posted August 1 CFM Report Posted August 1 17 hours ago, RidgebackCustoms said: It's definitely on my list to integrate into my work, but no pyrography experience on leather. Are you a trial and error guy or do you know any tutorials I should check out? lol Trial and error, and a book was all we had when I was first learning this stuff. But nowadays I do peruse YouTube just like everyone else. I've always studied art and creating things so this is just a part of that. If that makes sense? Quote Worked in a prison for 30 years if I aint shiny every time I comment its no big deal, I just don't wave pompoms. “I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” THE DUKE!
Members Deanr Posted August 1 Members Report Posted August 1 After my first and only attempt, which I primarily used pyrography, I really appreciate your work. I struggled with the texture. It was all trial and error with the intention for a bit rustic. I made this for my friend who is native american. Quote
Members RidgebackCustoms Posted August 2 Author Members Report Posted August 2 3 hours ago, Deanr said: I made this for my friend who is native american. I like it! Quote
Members RidgebackCustoms Posted yesterday at 12:30 PM Author Members Report Posted yesterday at 12:30 PM Finished another one. Used a sub-standard piece of leather because it's what I had. There are a couple of fat wrinkles running horizontal through the center of the portrait. I don't think I nailed the likeness, but this is why we practice. Quote
PastorBob Posted yesterday at 12:57 PM Report Posted yesterday at 12:57 PM That's some good work there. Agreed...practice, practice, practice. Quote In God's Grace, Pastor Bob "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 www.PastorBobLeather.com YouTube Channel
Members RidgebackCustoms Posted 9 hours ago Author Members Report Posted 9 hours ago Was able to finish up 2 portraits this week. Next one is none other than Ozzy Osbourne. Granted, labeling the portrait is a little bit of cheating lol. This is my first time doing deep embossing (around the hands) to achieve more depth to the piece. I like the effect, but find I can't get the crisp detail out of the carving if I try to add tooling to the embossed section. The filler material (Renia 3D embossing filler) has a lot of give to it. I wonder if a hard setting epoxy or similar may be a better solution? Also maybe I should tool, emboss, then retool to establish the crispness that I lose by pushing out the embossed section? Not sure. I also used the black eco flo antique which I find I prefer the dark brown of the other portraits. The black is too much of a contrast for my taste. The brown seems to marry the leather undertones better, but just my opinion. Quote
CFM chuck123wapati Posted 9 hours ago CFM Report Posted 9 hours ago (edited) That is excellent!!! Stohlmans , The Art of Embossing Leather, is a good reference if you can find it. They use leather under the embossing to raise it. I, 've never tried i but i did get the ebook off of the Tandy site. I don't know if they still have it listed. Edited 9 hours ago by chuck123wapati Quote Worked in a prison for 30 years if I aint shiny every time I comment its no big deal, I just don't wave pompoms. “I won’t be wronged, I won’t be insulted, and I won’t be laid a hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” THE DUKE!
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