Leebroox Report post Posted October 24, 2017 So I did this recently for my Son for his birthday. I'm new to leather. I started about 4 or 5 months ago. This is my fourth leather project and I am in need of some serious critiques. I struggle most with dyeing and coloring to get the effect or results I want. Any pointers or constructive criticism is very welcomed. Thanks and Cheers, Leland Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
verus22 Report post Posted October 24, 2017 I love that design! Very creative! I can't offer any advice, since I don't do any carving...but I'm sure there's others here who can. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JD62 Report post Posted October 24, 2017 That's cool, nice job! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjartist Report post Posted October 24, 2017 I think your coloring is fine. With the antiquing, if you want a smoother appearance, you have to just work quick and keep it wet. Not easy to do on a big piece. For being at this point for only 4 or 5 months, I'd say you are doing great! Even so, you asked for serious critiques, so here is what stands out to me. You swivel knife cuts are a bit choppy on the long curves. You can see it on the paisleys. Before you start to carve, it helps to do a bit of a warm up on some scrap leather. Just practice a few small circles and curves before you start. It really does help. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alpha2 Report post Posted October 24, 2017 As you do beveling, do a first light run, then go over the line a couple of more times, keeping the tool moving and using a LOT of small taps. That will smooth the line of beveling. Try it on some scrap lines first, to perfect your tool use. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vegansurfer Report post Posted October 25, 2017 It's lovely! I'm sure your son will love it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwican Report post Posted October 25, 2017 Love it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leebroox Report post Posted October 25, 2017 9 hours ago, cjartist said: I think your coloring is fine. With the antiquing, if you want a smoother appearance, you have to just work quick and keep it wet. Not easy to do on a big piece. For being at this point for only 4 or 5 months, I'd say you are doing great! Even so, you asked for serious critiques, so here is what stands out to me. You swivel knife cuts are a bit choppy on the long curves. You can see it on the paisleys. Before you start to carve, it helps to do a bit of a warm up on some scrap leather. Just practice a few small circles and curves before you start. It really does help. Thanks for that. I was trying to get this effect (This is obviously not mine but it is what I am striving towards) from the beginning and it wasn't working. I did the resist like I have seen and heard others talk about but my results were obviously way off. I'll try to do a small section next time to see what I get. As far as the swivel knife I was wondering if I was casing the leather correctly or if my knife is not sharp enough. SO I am going to keep trying to refine those two things and I'll employ your advice with the scrap pieces. Thanks again. Leland Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leebroox Report post Posted October 25, 2017 11 hours ago, verus22 said: I love that design! Very creative! I can't offer any advice, since I don't do any carving...but I'm sure there's others here who can. Thanks for the support... 10 hours ago, JD62 said: That's cool, nice job! Appreciate it 9 hours ago, alpha2 said: As you do beveling, do a first light run, then go over the line a couple of more times, keeping the tool moving and using a LOT of small taps. That will smooth the line of beveling. Try it on some scrap lines first, to perfect your tool use. Thank you for the advice. I know I have a problem with consistency and I see more flaws in the photographs then I had previously caught so it helps to definitely reexamine the work. Really appreciate the tips 8 hours ago, vegansurfer said: It's lovely! I'm sure your son will love it! Thanks! And he did. 8 hours ago, kiwican said: Love it! Thanks for the support. Cheers everyone. Thanks again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alpha2 Report post Posted October 25, 2017 In my experience, if you aren't COMPLETELY sure if your swivel knife, or any other leather blade, is sharp enough, it isn't. Many times I thought I'd sharpened, and stropped it enough, then found that if I'd continued to sharpen/hone/strop, etc, it was FAR sharper. I'm not one to spend that much time on something, but I've had to admit that my lack of patience is at fault, not the blade. Stop to strop numerous time when cutting a pattern in, also. One stropping won't get you through a project. I know, it's cases leather, but apparently, that can dull a blade quickly! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeilMac Report post Posted October 30, 2017 Very nice creative way for a scorpion, nice work Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
