cbeatti2 Report post Posted November 7, 2016 (edited) Hey. I've been away from leatherworking/tooling for a while (and I don't really know why) but have decided to work my way back in, gradually building my skillset. Attached is the first practice piece in maybe 3-4 years. Feel free to critique, as I can use some feedback. The pictures don't seem to do it justice to be honest, but I guess they rarely do, like a photo of a mountain and actually viewing the mountain for real are two totally different things...not that this simple piece is all that majestic. :-) Actually I am sorta happy with it, being the first attempt in a long while. Thanks! Edited November 7, 2016 by cbeatti2 trying to organize the photos into a timeline. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brown64 Report post Posted November 8, 2016 Looks good to me, being a novice myself I really don't have much critique other than maybe using a peddle lifter to make the flower peddles pop. It's really pretty good IMO. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikermutt07 Report post Posted November 8, 2016 (edited) Looks really good. The flow of the piece is really nice. I'm no tooler so I don't have anything to add. Edited November 8, 2016 by bikermutt07 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cbeatti2 Report post Posted November 9, 2016 Thanks. I "borrowed" the pattern so I can't really take any credit for that...and I do agree Brown64, some lift would help. I should get me some of those lifters, or fashion a few in the machine shop. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GaryB Report post Posted November 18, 2016 As a novice myself, I find it to be nicely done! I might have to "borrow" the pattern as well, lol! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted November 18, 2016 Overall, it aint bad. One thing that stands for a bit of attention... maybe... your shading (pear shader, thumb print, whatever ya call it) ends quite abruptly. I like to see the shade taper out a little more gradually. Ideally, someone looking at the carving would see a flower with some contour, rather than the mark of the tool that made it. Still, it dont look "bad'.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cbeatti2 Report post Posted February 7, 2017 On 11/18/2016 at 10:38 AM, JLSleather said: Overall, it aint bad. One thing that stands for a bit of attention... maybe... your shading (pear shader, thumb print, whatever ya call it) ends quite abruptly. I like to see the shade taper out a little more gradually. Ideally, someone looking at the carving would see a flower with some contour, rather than the mark of the tool that made it. Still, it dont look "bad'.. Good point. I'll give that a go next time around, and be more cognizant of the use of the shader. Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bigfoote Report post Posted February 7, 2017 Looks real good for someone who hasn't been doing it for a while. I agree with JL, but it still looks pretty good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoldArmored Report post Posted February 21, 2017 It's amazing! I love the color. The one thing I'd have to say is practice the mule foot. It should start big and deep and go small. It's not easy because it's all about controlling the pressure of the mallet! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HARVEY Report post Posted March 2, 2017 It does look good. And I WELL understand having been away from it for awhile. I think we ALL go thru "The Slump." My only comment would be fade out with your pear shader. a bit. Hold it up a tad. But otherwise looks like you're on your way back! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
