first works need critique.

[Brown64]

This is my first attempt other than a couple rounder's for practice. I can't take credit for the design, but everything else is me. I would appreciate any criticism so I can learn from my mistakes. On another note this being my first time here I must say the wealth of information is awesome. been lurking around for a wile hope you don't mind.

 

[Brown64]

Here is the back side sorry about that just getting used to this picture download.

[Tugadude]

Other than the one hole you missed with the lace, it looks great to me!

[Brown64]

1 hour ago, Tugadude said:

Other than the one hole you missed with the lace, it looks great to me!

Yah my punch got away from me there. I have sense bought me a divider to make a reference line with, so hopefully this don't happen in the future. Thanks for your input I appreciate it. 

[VTleather09]

I like both tooling patterns, but I don't know about pairing them?  The two styles are very different so it seems a bit out-of-place.  However, separately they look great.  My first attempts were definitely not that complex.  Also, incorporating the braid top lacing is tough to get down on its own.  So, I say: Great job! 

[Tugadude]

Looked at it again and wanted to comment on your painting skills.  The teeth, in particular, are very nicely done.  Very realistic.

[Brown64]

1 hour ago, Tugadude said:

Looked at it again and wanted to comment on your painting skills.  The teeth, in particular, are very nicely done.  Very realistic.

Thank you for the kind words.

 

1 hour ago, VTleather09 said:

I like both tooling patterns, but I don't know about pairing them?  The two styles are very different so it seems a bit out-of-place.  However, separately they look great.  My first attempts were definitely not that complex.  Also, incorporating the braid top lacing is tough to get down on its own.  So, I say: Great job! 

I agree with you on that one it's a little busy to say the least. I was just going to put my wife's name on it, but I love the Sheridan style, and the wife wanted a tiger. What are you going to do?  

[VTleather09]

9 minutes ago, Brown64 said:

Thank you for the kind words.

 

I agree with you on that one it's a little busy to say the least. I was just going to put my wife's name on it, but I love the Sheridan style, and the wife wanted a tiger. What are you going to do?  

Ha!  I hear that.  A few others were chatting about something similar the other day.  "Happy wife, happy life." 

[Thor]

12 hours ago, Brown64 said:

I agree with you on that one it's a little busy to say the least. I was just going to put my wife's name on it, but I love the Sheridan style, and the wife wanted a tiger. What are you going to do?  

Still make the Sheridan  Women don't know what they want, but they're really eager to get it 

Looking good to me except for the right hand whiskers. 

You might want to practice the decorative cuts on your leaves. I used to have the same problem and did cut hundreds of decorative lines before I got it to the point I like it now. Also practice your curve cuts. The straight lines are disturbing the flow of your vine work. Rounding off the edges with a spoon will help a little to make it look more natural.

It's not the same pattern but you'll see what I'm after https://www.pinterest.com/pin/557461260106984993/

[Brown64]

3 hours ago, Thor said:

Still make the Sheridan  Women don't know what they want, but they're really eager to get it 

Looking good to me except for the right hand whiskers. 

You might want to practice the decorative cuts on your leaves. I used to have the same problem and did cut hundreds of decorative lines before I got it to the point I like it now. Also practice your curve cuts. The straight lines are disturbing the flow of your vine work. Rounding off the edges with a spoon will help a little to make it look more natural.

It's not the same pattern but you'll see what I'm after https://www.pinterest.com/pin/557461260106984993/

Yah I have a hard time with the decorative cuts. The leather seemed harder, and not as easy to cut after I tooled it. I got myself a higher quality knife hoping that helps, and with some more practice maybe I can get the smoothness down. I see what you mean by looking at that link, I think I'll need a lot more practice before my lines are that smooth, and flowing. Thanks for the helpful input I greatly appreciate it. I'll also look into getting one of those spoons you are talking about, it looks like from what I have been reading on this forum they are quite indispensable.