Читать книгу Handicraft Simplified Procedure and Projects in Leather, Celluloid, Metal, Wood, Batik, Rope, Cordage, Yarn, Horsehair, Pottery, Weaving, Stone, Primitive Indian Craft - Lester Griswold - Страница 27

Application of Background. The simplest process in applying a background is that of depressing the background area by rubbing the surface of the leather with the flat broad pointed modeling tool. The leather must be placed upon a hard surface marble slab or plate glass and kept moist with a damp sponge. The edge of the depressed or background area slopes from the outline of the design to the level of the leather. Areas between lines are depressed to an even level. Rub the background area with the broad rounded surface of the modeling tool until the color darkens and a high polish results, Sketch C, and D, Fig. 1.

CDD-1

Illustration C shows position of the hands in beveling the edge of the design with the spoon tool. D shows the same operation using the deer foot modeler. This tool must be held more nearly perpendicular and is useful for depressing small areas and along narrow margins, D-1.

A Stamped Background may be used with both flat and relief modeled designs, and is made by a stippled or crosshatched stamp hammered lightly with a mallet-along the design outline and over the background area. The impressions should be of even depth, and placed together to give a uniform surface appearance, see Fig. 2, page 44. A stippled effect may also be secured by tapping the leather with the end of the tracing tool, regulating the depth of the impressions by amount of pressure used. Fig. 2, page 46.

Relief Modeling or Repusse. Relief modeling, sometimes called embossing, is the process of raising the leather in portions of the design.

Slightly dampen the flesh surface with a sponge. Place the tracing paper with design outline over the leather as in Flat Modeling and trace the design. As a rule the impression will be distinct enough for the design to be easily seen on the under surface, but with some designs it may be necessary to place a piece of carbon paper with sensitized surface against the leather, underneath, before tracing the design. Remove the paper and go over the lines of the design with the tracer. With the flat, round pointed tool press down the leather close to the design outline, also the background portions of the design, taking care not to cut the leather. Next place the leather, finished surface down, on a piece of corrected cardboard, as in E2, or hold in the fingers as in E1 and rub the parts that are to appear raised with the flat horseshoe shaped tool or the tracing tool, according to the shape of the portion to be raised. After these portions are raised sufficiently, place the leather flesh side down against the marble and deepen the outline which may have been slightly stretched out in the raising process. It is sometimes necessary to repeat these steps until the desired degree of depression and elevation is secured.

E-1 E-2 E-3

Illustration H shows the appearance of the back of the leather in relief modeling. J shows the raised areas.

Fig. 2

The upper flap design, A, B, shows a plain outline with stippled center. The stippling is produced as sketched in S. The finished purse shows different methods of tooling. c—Beveled Outline, d—Depressed Area, e—Double Beveled Outline, f—Repussé, g—Painted Area.

Color Application.

The surface decoration of the leather, Natural Russet or Light Shades Calf and Steer should be completed before making application of color to the design or background. The surface to be colored should be slightly moistened before applying color.

(a) Liquid dye or a wash of water color paint may be applied to design or background area with a soft camel’s hair brush. Permit each application to dry before successive ones are made. For large surface areas, apply the color in successive applications with a sponge or cheese cloth pad. Experiment with scrap pieces of leather till desired shade is obtained. Polish when dry with a soft flannel cloth.

(b) A dye made by dissolving oil paint in gasoline or turpentine may be applied in a very thin wash which should be wiped off at once, before the solvent penetrates the leather leaving the pigment deposited on the surface. When dry, polish with a soft cloth. The grain surface appearance is preserved by this method of coloring leather.

To secure an antique finish on tooled areas of dark leather articles or Russet previously stained to a dark shade, rub oil paint well into and over the design with a brush. Let it stand for an instant, then rub the paint off the elevated portions with a cloth. It is well to go over the entire area at one time, first lightly and quickly then with greater pressure according to the amount of color to be left in the depressions.

Color may be applied to design areas to emphasize the outline also to produce added contrast and shaded effects. A fine liner or pointed brush should be used, and a good leather dye which may be applied without spreading. Effective decoration may be produced by means of creased lines, with color application as shown in the card case and bag illustrated. The double border line on the card case was first creased, then the diagonal lines which produce the diamond shaped design areas. Dye, a golden brown shade to match the wide lacing, was applied between the lines.

The bag shows a modernistic straight line design colored with contrasting shades. Natural calfskin was used for the card case and natural steer for the bag.