High Contrast Marbling The Grain?

[Martyn]

Hi guys, just a quick question for the hive mind, you know that marbling effect you see when you heavily oil a piece of leather? I assume it's when the creases in the hide take up the oil a little faster than the surrounding area - is there any way to enhance that and lock it down to make it permanent? I love the look, but I've only ever seen it when I've put way too much oil on a piece and it always fades quickly anyway as the rest of the leather eventually takes up the oil and it all evens out.

[Martyn]

You can see what I mean on this test piece...

You can see the grain...

But if I give it a quick oil, for a few minutes the grain really pops...

Is there any way to enhance this contrast and make it permanent?

Edited March 22, 2016 by Martyn

[Troy I]

I've found through trowel and error that sometimes water will set the grain...before you add any oil...try wetting your leather--not like your casing, but like your wet forming...let it dry naturally.. then oil...sometimes this works, but not always.

[Martyn]

Thanks Troy, I'll give it a go.