Contributing Member BillB Posted January 16, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted January 16, 2008 It depends on the item. Some leather goods are virtually always colored, like masks. Some almost never - try to envision a saddle painted all over, for example. Occasionally you get surprised by something. There were some posts here recently where someone was creating traditional beadwork patterns in bright colors on handbags and such, and they were beautiful. Mike's work, above, is very well done, but between his two colored pieces, the one I like the best is the dog - the color just enhances the work enough to make it pop. Same with the "beadwork" pieces I mentioned. Leather has been traditionally enhanced with all kinds of things, from dyes and oils to conchos, braidwork and stamping, beading, gilding, and a hundred other things, but to my eye paint just isn't the best match to the material. As a result, it looks better (to me) when it's used very selectively.Bill I am the one that did the Native American Bead Patterns. I had a tough time deciding what to do. My first project was for my wife and I did not color it. After looking at lots of photos of NA Beading, both current and some I took at the museum, I decided to recreate the colors that I found and thus the primary colors I used. On the NA Totems and Totems, I am still struggling with that decision. I have done some that I have colored and others I left natural to get the "carved" wood effect. I have recently bought the Eco-Flo Hi-Lite Stain Assortment Pack. When I did a test pallet on some scrap leather it looks like this will give me the ability to color the totem poles to look like they have aged or naturally weathered, which is the look I am trying to get. So like everyone else, it all depends on the look and feel you are trying to get. My only recommendation is that you take a piece of leather of the brand and quality and tanning method that you normally use and make some test pallets to see how the stains really behave before you put them on your project. The other thing you must take into account is any final finish or preservative you plan to use. Some oils will darken the leather and thus change the colors. Some finishes can dull the colors and not achieve the effects you want. Good luck in you decision. Quote Bill B. Nead
SCOUTER Posted January 16, 2008 Author Report Posted January 16, 2008 It's funny but when I see the entire project painted, no matter how nice it looks, I always ask myself "Why Leather?" There are so many other materials that are better suited for paint. I really like the way Mike and Clay add small amounts of dye to really make the item "pop". The most paint I have done to date was an eye calling for a one hair brush. Thanks for all the imput! Quote
Members indypbear Posted January 17, 2008 Members Report Posted January 17, 2008 Hey Scouter, I agree with Clay and the others regarding colors. They can be intimidating when you have spent so much time on the carving and don't want to mess it up with color but you have to bite the bullet and go for what makes you feel good about your work. Play with it on some practice pieces. You could just develop your own style. Keep on Scoutin' & Toolin', Indy Quote
Members David Genadek Posted January 17, 2008 Members Report Posted January 17, 2008 Here are two shot of some of Bill Gomers work. This is back before anyone know he was a saddle maker. You can see in the one shot how he was using Cova paint. I can hear him talking about how you want to use colors that tie into the leather color. The indian is a good example of this. On the husky you will see that he is putting every color he uses on the picture into the eye. David Genadek Quote
Contributing Member BillB Posted January 18, 2008 Contributing Member Report Posted January 18, 2008 Scouter, I agree with Indy, Clay and the others. In the end we are all expressing our artistic expression. Find the style that fits you. Quote Bill B. Nead
Members Christiaan Posted February 11, 2010 Members Report Posted February 11, 2010 I like to color if the scene allows. Quote
Members terrahyd Posted February 12, 2010 Members Report Posted February 12, 2010 I like to color if the scene allows. CHRISTIAAN;; Don't know how I missed this?? wow you are after my heart with this piece;; I tool and paint wild life as a main stay for most of my buss' your work is simply beautiful , great rifle case and art work; check my gallery; we need to talk ,, THANKS FOR SHARING,,, Doc,,, Quote
dirtclod Posted February 12, 2010 Report Posted February 12, 2010 (edited) Very nice work Christaan !!! Edited February 12, 2010 by dirtclod Quote I'm old enough to know that i don't know everything.
Members Christiaan Posted February 17, 2010 Members Report Posted February 17, 2010 Very nice work Christaan !!! Thank you, dirtclod and Doc. Quote
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