1st time tooling (Viking Serpent)

[fiftycrushplan]

Hey guys this is my first attempt at tooling I think if I perfected the beveling around the image it would really make the image pop out any tips would be great thanks!

[ScoobyNewbie]

I think it looks very authentic. Good job!

Now do another one in 6 months time and I guaranty it will be even better. 

Is it a buckle, or a piece of art? I can’t tell the dimensions.

Again, good job!

Edited December 10, 2018 by ScoobyNewbie

[fiftycrushplan]

32 minutes ago, ScoobyNewbie said:

I think it looks very authentic. Good job!

Now do another one in 6 months time and I guaranty it will be even better. 

Is it a buckle, or a piece of art? I can’t tell the dimensions.

Again, good job!

It is a pece of art.  I just watched a youtube video and I should of used antique stain for the tooling part.  Do you recommend any?

[Sceaden]

Nice work! 

Yes, almost any tooling work is best with antiquing to help the details pop.

I would recommend doing a little deeper beveling around the outside of the serpent with less aggressive backgrounding to create a harder line. 

[TheAlbinoYeti]

Feiblings antique gels work good for me

[immiketoo]

For your first attempt tooling, you did a great job.  So much of tooling comes with experience and feel, which will come with time, but here are a few pointers.  On any kind of carving other than floral carving, but especially with any kind of figure carving, look into getting a figure beveler.  This will make that pop you're looking for.  I have put a few examples below to show how a figure beveler can separate the background from the carving.

Next, the transitions on any viking or Celtic design where one part goes under another need to have smooth bevel transitions so it looks like a natural flow as opposed to steps down and under then back up.  Again, a figure beveler will help, but you can also smooth the transition using a modeling spoon.  Another analogy is that steep beveling makes things look like they have been pushed down into a pillow, whereas a figure beveler or spoon makes them look like they have been place on top of the leather.

If you're using antique to create contrast in your carving, checkered tools will help hold the antique and give darker areas to help pull the smooth areas to the front visually.  Figure bevelers are generally smooth though.
 

In Pic one, you can see the area around the hair is smooth except for the lines for the branches.  The figure beveler pushes down the leather smoothly and makes your art stand out.  In the second pic, you can see our the branches are behind the birds and Odin, but above the background.  Also you can see the transitions on the celtic weave.  Hope this helps.

 

[fiftycrushplan]

Wow, Thanks guys!  Figure beveler?  I will pick one up.  I am going to get some antique gel stain as well.  After gel stain is it  best to do a 50/50 water resolene seal or should I do something different?  Thanks again guys.

[immiketoo]

Always seal after antique.  I use RTC by Bee Natural.

[noobleather]

Nice work with the carving,keep at it!I I have just started out doing basic shilouette carving and know there is a long road ahead.

Immiketoo thanks for sharing those tips,a few words and images can teach a great deal sometimes.

[immiketoo]

10 hours ago, noobleather said:

Nice work with the carving,keep at it!I I have just started out doing basic shilouette carving and know there is a long road ahead.

Immiketoo thanks for sharing those tips,a few words and images can teach a great deal sometimes.

Thanks, Noob. Pics are great, but videos are even better.   IF you guys have any requests, let me know.