I Promised I'd Start A Challenge For April

[Harley Corns]

Nice start Cheryl. ...your tough design decision is now history.

If it were me....I think I'd do some really forceful beveling on the outline cuts.

Double bevel all the lines where the horse is exiting the glass.

Emboss the central portions of main body/Lt .shoulder boldly...then in a diminishing degree down the Lt. leg.

Emboss the front chest ...& Rt leg.

Save the rest of the mane until last.... with light uniform Swivel knife cuts and/or hair blade.

Edited April 24, 2013 by Harley Corns

[Harley Corns]

Thanks folks for the input.

I hear what you're saying about the hair blade and burnishing.

Still contemplating my approach on the surface texture of the tail,and the water .

I attached a couple close up pics to show what I'm looking for.

The top one has distinct lines flowing out toward the tips ends of the tail.(which are counter to the water flowing off)

Where as in the lower example the lines appear to be just the water flowing off the tail

Ultimately,(another challenge down the road) , my plan is to try and finish-highlight with colors, in hopes that I can create a wet look and bring the viewers attention-focus to the splashing,flowing,dripping, water.

But right now I'm still toying with how best to texture the tail to represent the water flowing off..into a spray....and droplets.

And By the way....

Thanks Cheryl for ram-rodding this challenge.... Its my first time to participate,and probably not my last.

What I've already learned through seeing and reading about what you and the other participants are doing, has been well worth the price of admission.

A tip of the hat to you !

Whale tail texture.doc

[DoubleC]

Nice start Cheryl. ...your tough design decision is now history.

If it were me....I think I'd do some really forceful beveling on the outline cuts.

Double bevel all the lines where the horse is exiting the glass.

Emboss the central portions of main body/Lt .shoulder boldly...then in a diminishing degree down the Lt. leg.

Emboss the front chest ...& Rt leg.

Save the rest of the mane until last.... with light uniform Swivel knife cuts and/or hair blade.

Thanks Harley, the tooling isn't done yet and I have a lot to do. I was discouraged by the image itself and just plain sick of it so put it up for a day, but will be back at it by Friday.

I know what emboss means but not in this context. Can you explain? Thanks, Cheryl

[DoubleC]

Thanks folks for the input.

I hear what you're saying about the hair blade and burnishing.

Still contemplating my approach on the surface texture of the tail,and the water .

I attached a couple close up pics to show what I'm looking for.

The top one has distinct lines flowing out toward the tips ends of the tail.(which are counter to the water flowing off)

Where as in the lower example the lines appear to be just the water flowing off the tail

Ultimately,(another challenge down the road) , my plan is to try and finish-highlight with colors, in hopes that I can create a wet look and bring the viewers attention-focus to the splashing,flowing,dripping, water.

But right now I'm still toying with how best to texture the tail to represent the water flowing off..into a spray....and droplets.

And By the way....

Thanks Cheryl for ram-rodding this challenge.... Its my first time to participate,and probably not my last.

What I've already learned through seeing and reading about what you and the other participants are doing, has been well worth the price of admission.

A tip of the hat to you !

I see a whale actually does have lines and I love the shadowing on those pics, excellent example. If you could find one facing the direction of yours it would show you what I tried so ineptly to explain.

As for the wet look you could burnish it, leave the leather naturally colored and just put a finish on it. Or you can paint the picture which would be awesome using color and light but quite another lesson I hope to have on here.

Thank you for your kind words. I've been told I'm running this 'wrong' because I didn't do it the way it was done last year. If people are having fun and learning then how can it be wrong? Thank you for joining us on this journey. Cheryl

Edited April 25, 2013 by DoubleC

[Harley Corns]

I know what emboss means but not in this context. Can you explain? Thanks, Cheryl

Like what I did on the whale tail...

I used a modeling tool with two different sized ball tips on the ends.... rubbing it on the flesh side within the beveling... raising and forming the shape of the horses body.

[DoubleC]

Oh Harley that will make it easier to give it definition. I use a stylus with a ball end to trace the patter, then go back over it with the stylus after i have the pattern on the leather so I'll just do that again next to the cuts to make them stand up more. What I good idea, wouldn't have thought of that. Thanks Harley. Cheryl

[Regalto]

So here is my fully finished submission as well as a perfect example of how paint in my hands absolutely ruins a good carve and tooled piece of leather. This is why all my projects are usually 1 single color.... However here it is. Did not apply a finish to it yet but will probably put acrylic resolene on it then nail it to the workshop wall just because.... So yea...enjoy....

-Chris

[DoubleC]

Chris I hope you do put it on your workshop wall because you did an excellent job. The only thin I could suggest is you put some brown in your red to make it look more 'dried' on the ground. I'm so impressed and glad you joined us. Please join us again next month when Rae is going to tech us to do people or faces, your choice. Great job, cheryl

[Regalto]

Didnt go for dried since it is pooling due to dripping off hammer

[DoubleC]

Oh well that makes sense Chris.