Latest Leather Squadron Patches ..................

[Itch]

You do some beautiful work ..

[Itch]

Sir, this is Itch's wife. Your patches are so clean and very crisp. How did you do it? Is it painted by hand on the leather? I made a guitar strap once for a friend, who wanted "in memoriam RANDY RHODES" on it. So I stamped the letters on a second piece of black leather, painted the letters red, and outlined it white. It looked like a 3 year old made it. But he liked it anyway, and I cut around it, and sewed it onto the strap. I am glad he is far away on stage, and nobody gets close...;0

I used acrylic paint, but just got leather paint from Dharma Trading Company. Any suggestions on what to use, and how? I would say that becoming about 10% as clean as your work is, would be a big progress for me.

Thank you,

Isabel

[johnnysignor]

Hello Itch's wife, well , I've been making the patches going on 30+ years now, when I first started they weren't 'Clean/neat" as my work now, , I do all by hand , cutting the leather out ,tooling the design into the leather and painting it .

As to neatness/clean lines , I use a very small pointed brush for the fine details, actually for just about the whole patch, I use just basic store bought acrylics from Wal Mart , nothing pricey .

I think the "key" to really good "line " work is the small fine point brushes , I used to use somewhat larger width/size bristles and found the smaller superior in what details you can achieve, also don't rush the colors, even though acrylics dry fairly quick it's best to give them a little extra drying time before painting another color along next to the others , I'm all self taught, no classes college courses etc , but again a lot of years are behind me in my work, the old saying "practice makes perfect" is a good one to go by , anyway thanks for the compliments and good luck in your art works, don't get discouraged , it takes time ....................

Coming soon to the link a WW2 era version of the 309th Fighter Squadron ......................

[johnnysignor]

Thank you "Itch" for the compliment , I have 30 years into making the patches, started out with them being not as good as my present works , but we all have to start somewhere !

I highly enjoy making the patches , especially when most have gone to veterans , and some were nearly in tears to be able to have their old unit patch/es as some lost them etc !

It's fun hobby and very rewarding knowing the veterans appreciate them the most !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Johnny

[Itch]

Hello Johnnysignor,

thanks for getting back with me. It helped me to know that there is no trick, but lots of practice to achieve this precision. I am an artist for 30+ years, doing mostly abstract BIG paintings (4x6 ft and bigger) where I use brushes 2inches wide and bigger. And it is messy. So I am totally on the other end of the spectrum when it comes to neatness. Being so attracted to your work shows me, that it is time for some discipline.

It is wonderful that you make so many veterans happy with your patches. I bet that a thankful smile from a veteran is worth much more, than hard dollars in a wallet.

Thanks again, Sir. I appreciate your input.

Isabel - Itch's wife

[johnnysignor]

Hello again Isabel, yeah nothing beats those smiles and phone calls from the veterans !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One called me some time ago nearly in tears , he was so moved by having something he lost long ago and the memories it brought back to him , nothing can beat that for sure !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah , the large paintings are a whole other world , I've done some aircraft oil paintings and the larger brushes are great for filling in the sky backgrounds or land areas, but even then I've found you still need the small ones for the detailings on the aircraft themselves .

I am happy that my posting helped you and I wish you much success in your works !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Johnny

[johnnysignor]

Just added a 309th Fighter Squadron patch to the link ..............................

[johnnysignor]

Working on a CAG-11 patch and later I'll be making a 120th Fighter Squadron , Colorado ANG patch, will add both to the link when finished ...............