Need pointers for dragon

[anester05]

I want to incorporate a couple of dragons in my next project, I will upload the pattern I am working with later. I just need some pointers, tool tips for different effects and so on.

Thanks,

Adam

[tashabear]

Your dragon needs scales! Try a mulefoot.

Also, either your knife is too dull or your leather was too wet when you cut this -- see the drag marks on the cuts? try both stropping your knife more and letting the leather dry a bit more.

[joet]

I want to incorporate a couple of dragons in my next project, I will upload the pattern I am working with later. I just need some pointers, tool tips for different effects and so on.

Thanks,

Adam

Adam, The use of the mulefoot (as mentioned earlier) would really enhance your dragon. Try two or even three different sizes, larger on the neck, smaller around the head. Also use a small pear shader around the scales on the jaw. When I did this dragon I left off the scales around the head and just used the mulefoot. Might also want to finish the flames so we can make comments about ways to improve that too. Other than those, nice job. A hair blade on the hair works well, it can also be used on the flames.

[8thsinner]

The only thing I can see wrong is the drag marks and a few cuts are a little off 90%.

I am not a tooler though, but theres a rat dragon project done by someone here, I think it was a note book or diary or something similar, where a chisel was used for underneath the wing edges which gave it a very effective 3d effect, have a look around for it.

The pattern itself is great and I can't wait to see the end result

[C E W]

Polish your swivel knife blade. You can see it is dragging through the leather, you can see it in your test cuts. A cut should be smooth.

[Desiree]

Other than reiterating what some others have already said regarding sharpening your swivel knife so there aren't drag marks, I would also recommend going in with a spoon of a modeling tool to smooth out the tool marks. In some places (I noticed around the scales) you can see each individual place that you hit the stamp. The more you practice, the better you'll get at avoiding tool marks, but it's always helpful to go back and smooth them out. Modeling tools are also great for defining detailed and delicate areas: not everything can or should be outlined with a swivel knife cut. Save the swivel knife for the more distinct areas and use modeling tools or other stamps for the more subtle areas.

Hope this helps Keep up the good work!

Edited November 30, 2009 by Desiree