first try at picture

[lindatt]

This is my first tries at doing pictures. I need some ideas on how to paint, dye, antique..... and how to display... frame/mat, etc.

The mask is one that I tooled and just put antiquing on. Looks like wood huh?

[Crystal]

Hi- Great Job! I like how you did your mane and hair, has nice flow. And love that color on your mask - what antique did you use on that? Congrats!

Crystal

[tazzmann]

Wow! beautiful work. Almost hate to see it colored!

[TomSwede]

Those looks really nice Lindatt!

Are you a painter? I remember that those dragonmasks was quite painted or dyed so perhaps a go with thinned down dyes and brushes. I think those would look good in realistic style but also perhaps with some antiquing or just leave it in sun until it's tanned to your liking.

Tom

[Storm]

 Very nice work kiddo!  Keep it up!

[jammon]

Very nice work! I would NOT have thought those were your first portraits!

[craftsman827]

Very nice carving.

About the painting & other finishing.

I would suggest getting a book about the subject.

Al Stholman & Peter Main both have good books.

Either one will give you what you need on the subject of coloring leather.

Tandy,S&T, Zack White, all carry the book, along with many oyher suppliers.

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.

[lindatt]

Sorry about the wording "how to paint" I know how to paint already, just need to know if I should paint the pictures or leave them natural. Also how I should display them....

Thanks for all the wonderful comments... now give me some constructive criticism hehe

[Beaverslayer]

Very very nice work, the mask must have been a real challenge to keep all that carving from getting ruined. About the two pictures, I think they would actually look real good with just a light antiqueing, and hang them as is, no frame or anything. I think this will look as good as if they were in frames. They have a real nice flow to them with the way the pieces of leather are shaped already.

Ken

[ClayB]

This is my first tries at doing pictures. I need some ideas on how to paint, dye, antique..... and how to display... frame/mat, etc.

The mask is one that I tooled and just put antiquing on. Looks like wood huh?

Hi Linda,

I have been watching your posts since you joined and enjoyed seeing the masks you have been making. You have been doing some different things than some of the other mask makers and it's fun to see your originality on the dragon and the fairy mask. But, I REALLY like this last mask. I love the tooling on it, and the color. I am guessing you must have tooled it before you molded it, but there is still a lot of depth in the tooling.

I am also really impressed with your first pictures. You did a great job on them. There is a lot of fine detail showing. If you decide to paint them, my caution would be to try not to overdo it. A little color might look really good, but if you do it to heavily, it will hide all the natural beauty in the leather, and your carving. If you use acrylics, thin them down a lot and apply light coats, building up to the color you want.

As for framing, the man on the horse might look nice if you use a matt with an oval cut out. It might also look nice just laced onto a wooden hoop. The girl with the horse might be a little tougher, but it looks like a rectangular matt might fit around the carving. If you have a frame shop nearby, they should be able to cut an odd sized matt to fit your picture. I try to make sure that there is always some extra leather on my pieces these days, even if it is a practice piece because the practice pieces always seem to turn out really good if they are on some odd scrap that you cant make into anything.

Thanks for sharing your pictures.

[Spider]

Yeah these sure are nice. Very nice as a matter of fact. I'd say oil them and call it a day but that's me. Or the sun effect like Tom mentioned. I love my leather to look like leather most of the time but then again i'm still a beginner. Great work...

I love the mask. Does look like wood.

[carr52]

NICE WORK, I'm still afraid to try animals. Carving that is. LOL. I tried to make an eagle and it turned out so so. I think I just need to keep practicing. Also need to work on my camera skills. My camera is ok I just dont use it enough to get good at it.