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omg! This is to good! Just wow!
[HEAVY BREATHING]
Can I ask how do you get those imprints on the leather to look so nice? Are they custom per order? How do I get my own logo? How detailed can the logo be? How many colors can be used on the logo?
Sorry for asking so many questions so fast.
Hehe np :)
1) is just plain old practice, plus using quality tools (which in leatherworking does make a huge difference). But I'm by no means an expert at carving, for example this guy's bevelling is so insane
https://www.flickr.com/photos/threemuttscustoms/sets/72157628752308441/I posted this in one of Binge's threads too, here's the first ever thing I made out of leather from a how-to video, as you can see it looks horrible :D
2) Yes, though as you can see from the fish for example, I can redo something I've done before if you want it too.
3) Most of the time I end up adapting an existing image for carving in Photoshop, drawing outlines on things and removing some details so it prints okay. Then I "trace" that onto the damp leather to make an imprint, which I use as a guide for the carving and then add details back in freehand.
So, if you have an image in mind, I can usually tell you if it's doable or not. I have made up completely original designs before too, most recent was my coaster for Binge, but that takes more time. Right now I'm doing a couple vectorizing photos which is sort of in the middle.
4) Text has to be reasonably big to look good carved. That's the number one reason I find someone sends me an image they'd like and I can't make it work. The ideal is like something that would work in a colouring book. On the other hand though, I always like to take on something challenging, no harm in trying out a test to make sure it can be done :)
5) Lots :) For example, for Tyvar1's rhino, I mixed up a custom orange to match, just cause it wouldn't be Otto otherwise.
I have something like 30 acrylics so I can usually get something close for anything.
Pretty much I quote the price for this in 3 tiers: no colours/just highlighting, one colour, and then as many as you need (since once you're above one the labour is pretty much the same).
The only thing to keep in mind is that more colours = exponentially more time for completion. I have tried to see if it can be reduced, but it always causes problems so I now stick with what works.
For example, for Tyvar's Otto, the steps so far have been: carving and full 24h dry, first orange coat, outline in black dye, latex mask, main black dye, first coat of orange touchups plus first coat of other colours. Next will be more layers of other colours until they are all complete, each with a day in between for proper drying. After than comes clear finish on carvings, black finish on black, then highlight coat (needs 48h drying time), then clear finish. So that is a lot of days spent drying!