kaerkes Report post Posted May 1, 2015 Hi! I'd like to share one piece that kept me hitting the hammer a long time. It was for a tablet case for a friends and these are the main characters of an awesome manga of Hiroaki Samura, called Blade of the inmortal. I am not used to carve such detailed patterns so it was really challenging to me. Hope you like it and as allways all critiques are well recieved. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HARVEY Report post Posted May 1, 2015 Although the subject isn't my cup of tea, the superior workmanship shows up clearly. I'd like to see more of your work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plowboy73 Report post Posted May 1, 2015 Very cool tooling. Not my normal either but very well done! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MonicaJacobson Report post Posted May 1, 2015 Very impressive. Cool subject matter, too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaerkes Report post Posted May 1, 2015 Thank you for the feedback! You are right, not very common subject, i like to introduce strange references in some of our carving works. Although traditional subjects as sheridan style or celtic and nature patterns are amazing, we cannot ressist to include freak references that we love in special pieces. In this "freak" section we include subjets from mangas, bands, movies, books or artists that we love. We are going to post more of this material soon. Have a nice weekend! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAZZMAN Report post Posted May 1, 2015 Right that is it, i have had enough, can people stop posting such incredibly amazing works of art, it is making me feel very inadequate perhaps we could have some pictures of people who do really terrible carving work then i could join in too. This is absolutely amazing, you are a true artisan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaerkes Report post Posted May 1, 2015 kjiasjiasjias! You really make me laugh jazzman! You only have to have 2 words in mind: patience and hard work! We have been hammering on leather only 2 years at this moment but lots and lots of hours fixed at the desk. We think like everything in life, practice is the phillosofer stone here. i think everybody can do maginfique things putting passion and perseveration on it. Innate talent is rare, most of us have to improve little by little trough hard-ing-working, and try-error circes.... Thanks for your funny words! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAZZMAN Report post Posted May 1, 2015 Well thank you kaerkes for your words of encouregment, the truth is i do have every intention of putting in the work and hopefully one day becoming a skilled leathercrafter and tooler, i too believe hard work is the only way to achieve this and am under no illusions about that. I still say that you have done very well in those two short years of study to be achieving this kind of standard of workmanship, thank you for the inspiration and advice, take care my friend. Peace. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaerkes Report post Posted May 2, 2015 This is the ing attitude mate! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OdinUK Report post Posted May 3, 2015 Thats a very nice carving, I like it a lot. My critique would be the following, I'd have used a triple loop braid/stitch around the edge. Also I'd bevel and burnish the edge of the flap. The picture is fantastic though Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted May 3, 2015 Overall the work is very nice, but since critiques were welcomed, I'm going to nit-pick on something pretty minor....but it's something that will give the carving a more "finished" look. Almost all of the beveling has the "halo" effect around it. That can be reduced or eliminated by careful use of modelling spoons/tools. It's an extra step and time consuming, but the results are well worth it. The result is that each element stands out more instead of being individual elements set into the piece. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kaerkes Report post Posted May 3, 2015 (edited) thank you very much fot the feedback! OdinUk. You are totally right, it look much better with an elaborate lacing work. Twin oaks, i understand this halo effect you talk about. Is that the tool that you suggest? http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g138/mahtosapa/leather%20tooling/LTT026.jpg I really have a few tooling tools, so maybe i have to start thingking on buying others to complete my basic kit. Edited May 3, 2015 by kaerkes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IngridG Report post Posted July 21, 2015 (edited) I am new to this medium but I have been an artist for years and sculpting for some of them. A) really nice work again, good contrast and faces. I thought I would chime in because I am liking the results of using the stainless steel dental tool set I have used for sculpting in clay for years, works super on leather so far. I don't know if it's traditional or not but as long as you are using hand pressure and not a mallet or hammer they are very accurate and super smooth. I think they are nicer than the spoon type tools sold for leather and can be got cheaply sometimes. also if like me you have trained your hands to work this way, retraining them to work with a hammer is a little hard to get used to. I still am doing so for some things like beveling and backgrounds but for putting in lines of various types (not cuts) I like them. http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Wax-Carving-Dental-Spatula-Polymer-Clay-Carver-Tools-/351458298220?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51d48c096c Not this specific set they come in all kinds of shapes but to give you an idea of the tool range you can get for the price. I find with a bit of pressure they are giving nice lines on the leather. Especially the spoon shaped ones and the spear shaped ones. Edited July 21, 2015 by IngridG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites