Burning on leather

Susan N · #1 06-06-2005, 07:19 PM

Hi, I am new here and have done some woodcarving. I have an optima burner that I used for burning feather details on birds. I would like to try burning on leather and was wondering if anyone has used it. I guess I will need to get some tips for shading for my burner. Has anyone used this brand of burner and if so what would be some good size pens to get for shading. Also any info or books for leather burning.

Susan N

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #2 06-06-2005, 09:55 PM

go to www.suewalters.com she is a fantastic woodburner and has a good tutorial on her site plus lots of info and pictures of woodburnings you won't believe!

Susan N · #3 06-07-2005, 07:58 AM

Thank you for the link to the Sue Walters site. I will be ordering a book or two. Her work is amazing and I will be spending some time there looking at everything.

Susan N

squbrigg · #4 06-07-2005, 08:11 AM

Welcome aboard Susan N, hope you stick around and enjoy the place. Folks here are the best, supportive, encouraging and some darn fine artists. Hope you find what you need in instruction on burning in leather, shouldn't be that different than wood, but like anything else, practice, practice, practice. Burning has turned out to be a welcome change from carving, in addition to a whole new set of skills to assist my carvings. Have fun.

Bob

BasketballJones · #5 06-07-2005, 08:50 AM

Ssshhhh don't tell her she's amazing she comes on the board all the time

.

pat hyndman · #6 10-03-2007, 10:57 AM

Hi I'am new here to, and I was thinking of burning on leather BUT I can't get my pattern onto the leather . Can some one help me out . Pat

Woodartist · #7 10-03-2007, 11:16 AM

Hi Pat:

I burn on leather and use a graphite transfer paper to transfer the pattern onto the leather. You don't want to make it too dark and if using a pointed stylus or pen, you will actually make a small score into the surface. Again, you don't want to do it too heavy. Light transfer markings can be erased with a pencil eraser..

Also, most leather for woodburning is vegetable tanned leather....less toxic.

teeburn · #8 10-03-2007, 12:32 PM

Hi Susan N,

Just wanted to say welcome. I also have the Optima and I love it. I haven't tried leather yet but it is on my to burn list. But a good pen for shading would be the bent spear shader and it comes in two sizes. You can get the pens several different web sites.

And as Bill said makes sure it is vegetable tanned leather. Let us know how you like it.

burning!

teeburn · #9 10-03-2007, 12:37 PM

Hi Pat,

Just wanted to also say welcome to you too. Look forward to seeing your work. Have fun and

burning and learning as Dannie would say.

Pyrographer · #10 10-03-2007, 04:38 PM

I don't like burning on leather (have tried it but not my favorite thing) but as previously said you should only use vegetable tanned leather.

I highly recommend Lora Irish's book as she is not only a skilled burner but a great artist and I have reviewed her book and it's great. I can't remember if she has tutorials on leather (my copy of her book got lost in the move

) but she's a valued member of this group and perhaps can offer more guidance on the subject.

My favorite shading tool is the Bent Spear shader available by Razertip (HD5MP or SP) and Optima (#18). Very versatile tool and can get into most of the tight spots. The Razertip now has 3 sizes of this shader. I had them make a new one for me and I loved it so much that we have now had them make them for us. It's narrower and fits into the tightest spots. It's the HD5MSP and it's way kewl

....

Nedra