Graduated Staining Using Eco Flo Dyes?

[GAZXB9R]

Anyone care to school a newbie to leatherwork?

I have made a pocket notebook, very simple but wanted to fancy up the front cover.

I'm into skulls so had to be a skull design on the front.

The leather is too thin for proper tooling. So I delicately tooled the design and now want to stain and finish.

I'd like to darken some areas prior to an antiquing gel.

Some of these areas would need to be shaded from black to nothing.

Can I dilute the water based stain and build up in coats from nothing to near black?

I'll post a pic once its finished.

Gaz

[GAZXB9R]

Found some info on youtube about feathering from a loaded brush to a dry brush.

Seemed to work not too bad. Looked a bit stark though.

Now I've hit it with dark brown antique gel though, it's really taken on the look I wanted. Still to be buffed up etc but here's a pic of it so far. Just a simple notebook cover to be used as an everyday type pad to use and abuse.

Any critique is welcome. Bear in mind its my first ever piece after no practice.

I'll update again with a final pic once its buffed finished and completed.

Gaz

Edited March 7, 2016 by GAZXB9R

[Norton Custom Leather]

you could do an antique style on it. you would stain you product then use an antique on it & the deep areas will be darker than the rest.

[GAZXB9R]

The finished article.

Not perfect by any means but a good process for me as my first piece.

Feel free to advise.

Gaz

[Norton Custom Leather]

doesn't look bad. i do see there is no eye on the right side? don't know if you meant for there to be one or not? if you did & forgot or it didn't turn out right you could do an eye patch on that side. i would also burnish the edges.