How to do a Mottled / Marble / Sauvage type finish with leather dye? Advice needed.

[Diomedes Industries]

I am wanting to do different tones of Brown on Brown for some different types of effects with leather. I am able to get a decent dye done on my own that is consistent - but I am wishing to get a little creative.

I have heard this called Sauvage as well as many other types of things.

Any resources or tips would be awesome.

Thanks,

TF

 

[VANCE]

jeff law aka "rainwalker" did this one for me

 

[leatherman]

I am wanting to do different tones of Brown on Brown for some different types of effects with leather. I am able to get a decent dye done on my own that is consistent - but I am wishing to get a little creative.

I have heard this called Sauvage as well as many other types of things.

Any resources or tips would be awesome.

Thanks,

TF

Hey brudda, I can show you, I developed all my mottling patterns by myself. I'll show you but only between me and you. Some techniques are to be kept in the family for very good reasons.

Funny thing, I developed most of them back in art school in the early 90's. Nothing to do with leather, but surprise! They do well from one substrate to another.

 

[sheathmaker]

My way is not secret, and even if it was I've been known to share secrets. Use a small cellulose sponge and dab the dye on lightly randomly, NOT repeating over the same area or it will fill in and become solid color. You can also thin the dye a little and make one random pass and then go to full strength for another random pass to give the dye a multi tone effect.

Paul

 

[leatherman]

Okee dokee, first off dont use a sponge. It will make an odd patterned effect instead of the soft transitions you want in the pic provided. What you want is a softer/finer tool like sheep skin or better yet a wool dauber. Dont work wet, again that will cause hard edges because of the flooding of the dye in one place making it very dark in only one place with noticeable hard edging.

Daubing is the key here, its a dry brush technique from water color painting. An over wet dauber will let loose a lot of color all at once, a semi dry dauber will let loose a little color at a time. This is what you want when you are looking for a smooth transition between colors. It takes longer to do, but the results are dramatic.

Start light, saddle tan in a solid base or dabbed around in at least 80% of the area. Next you might want to use a bit of Medium Brown to fill in. This will give you a nice light overall coloring. If you want a dramatic effect use some dark brown dabbed in for a stormy effect. You can use different shades and colors to showcase a color in the handle of the knife if desired. That is the lightning bolt effect you see in some of my pieces.

More to come as I am tired, but I leave you with one suggestion, practice practice practice. I colored many square feet of leather before I ever mottled a sheath. And have since mottled hundreds.

Better?

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Yes - thanks to both of you - I think I will be practicing some with a few techniques.

Thanks Paul and Dwayne for the words.

TF