Celtic Horses

[yaklady]

My daughter had asked for this particular pattern to be done on leather. She found it on line somewhere. It's actually a picture of a rug. I enlarged the picture to the size I wanted, about 9 inches by 5 inches, and made the pattern off of that. Since it was a rug, it had to be straightened out a bit. I have been asked a few questions about this and shall attempt to answer them all here. Unfortunately, I can't get the computer to make a new paragraph on here, so it will all be in one big fat annoying hard to read paragraph. That bevellers I used on this piece, and on most things I do, are my very old Craftools that I got at Tandy's way back when I first started leather craft in 4-H. They are smooth and very square. To get the lines parallel, I would cut one side of the knot and scribe a line next to it with my small wing divider. Then I would cut that line. I used my A104 in the back ground. The color I used was acrylic paint, Delta Ceramcoat, from Hobby Lobby. The leather is 5/6 oz. Hermann Oak. I feel lucky to have a daughter who comes up with fun projects like this.

[dirtclod]

Really nice work !!!

[Madadh]

Beautiful

[Wishful]

Wow, impressive

[DoubleC]

This is just so awesome. I remember back when you did your fighting horse biting at each other and how I couldn't quit looking at them. Cheryl

[rosiart]

These are gorgeous. The patience this must have taken. My head aches just thinking about following all those over and unders of the celtic knots.

[WinterBear]

oooo, thank you thank you. Hah, now I'm gonna pester you a bit. All I can say is that you are one ambitious lady. I'm definitely a little intimidated by all the over/unders. It sure makes me want to try a celtic hippocampus pattern I have (consisting of a single "horse", and not nearly as complicated) and make some sort of bag with it though.

So how big is the piece--looks like it is bigger than a purse or journal panel? I hope it isn't smaller than that, or I won't be able to understand how you stayed sane beveling it all. What is the piece (wallhanging/framed picture sort of thing maybe)? It looks like you antiqued--did you use a leather antiquing gel, or seal and use thinned acrylic washes to get your antique color in the low spots?

[yaklady]

You can pester me all you want. I enjoy helping out others. The over/unders are simple, really. It's the parallel lines that can be tough. The beveling isn't so bad, either, but smoothing out everything takes forever. I do suggest that you start with something a bit less crazy. I sure wish I could get this thing to make a new paragraph for me! The piece is 9" x 5". I intend to make a computer bag for my daughter with it, but the construction hasn't happened yet. Yes, I did antique it first, but I honestly don't remember what I used. It would have been something acrylic to go along with the paints. The paints were dry brushed on to keep from hiding the antique.

[Harley Corns]

Beautiful ....you did a great job all around.

I hope you post pics of your daughters bag when its completed.

[Harag]

The paints were dry brushed on to keep from hiding the antique.

Quick question if I may... What is Dry brushed?

Also, when you bevel, which tool did you use for the small areas, I've got the basic starting bevel and found it's too large when I've tried doing some celtic knots. So looking for a new bevel - they are so many to choose from.

Edited May 13, 2013 by Harag

[yaklady]

To dry brush, I wet my brush, then wipe the excess water off. Then I dip the brush into the paint and wipe the excess paint off. Then I brush a piece of newspaper until there is barely any paint on the brush. Only then do I touch the brush to the leather. If this is done correctly, the paint will only hit the high points of the leather. It's very easy to get too much paint. The little beveller I use is Tandy's B935. That size comes in checkered, too, it you prefer that look.

[Half Goat]

wow very impressive!

[Harag]

To dry brush, I wet my brush, then wipe the excess water off. Then I dip the brush into the paint and wipe the excess paint off. Then I brush a piece of newspaper until there is barely any paint on the brush. Only then do I touch the brush to the leather. If this is done correctly, the paint will only hit the high points of the leather. It's very easy to get too much paint. The little beveller I use is Tandy's B935. That size comes in checkered, too, it you prefer that look.

Many thanks for that, Understand better now, will have to have a go at some point to see what it looks like close up. B935 - Great, I bought the B936 as my supplier didn't have B935 in stock. Wasn't sure if they were any smaller ones or if I was on the right track.

[yaklady]

B936 is the same size as B935. One is checkered, the other is not. So if you are using checkered bevellers, B936 is the one to go with. I like smooth and can't seem to get out of the habit of using them.

[Harag]

I initially ordered a B935 from my supplier but they didn't have it in stock at the time, so got the B936 to try. I like it, but I think I might prefer the smooth one. I'll put it on my next order and hope they have it in stock. I was just initially wondering if that was the smallest one available. Still learning...