Author Topic: Painting leather (Read 7782 times)

george kevil · « **on:** November 04, 2009, 02:51:53 AM »

To the bag makers or leather workers
If any of you use paint on your bags or leather projects what type of paint do you use? I have a plain lid on a bag that I thought I might add some color to. And do you use a sealer over it when dry?
Thank You
George

smallpatch · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2009, 04:40:19 AM »

George,

Are you trying to change the color of Bambi???

That's a REALLY cool book by the way.

T.C.Albert · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2009, 05:25:33 AM »

George...I am no expert, but Ive had good success with high quality artists grade acrylics on leather, but oils are a bit more p.c. ... I do think oils would be best, but will take longer to dry, smell worse if you use thinners and linseeds etc...and be much more of a pain to clean up after...

they both cost about the same and can easily run ten, twelve, or even fifteen bucks a tube for the basic crimsons, cobalts, Ivorys and "noir" blacks...my daughter gave me a few hundred dollars worth of her "left over" paints when she graduated her art and design classes at college, and Im still using those...I dont know if the cheaper "craft " grade little bottles of paint would work, but as watered as that stuff is I doubt it and wouldnt try them myself...but good quality air brush paints may be a cheaper alternative?

Good paint sticks like crazy to leather it seems, as many old bomber jackets seem to attest to...I have generally antiqued my painted creations back some after I paint them,, but never really technically seal them.
TCA

george kevil · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2009, 06:28:35 AM »

TC
Thanks for your information.I really wasn't sure what to use . I've seen some things you and Ken Scott have done and I thought I would try the same but on a smaller scale. I'll head on down to the artist store in the morning. Thanks again for your help. And if someone I know that's worried about Bambi would help me post pictures I'll show the results.
George

george kevil · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2009, 06:53:50 AM »

This is the bag I want to paint on if I did this right per someones help

Beaverman · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2009, 08:25:46 AM »

Nice pouch George

Mike R · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2009, 04:12:30 PM »

Consider permanent color inks. I did an Indian design on my very 1st pouch in red and black India ink and it came out great [although the red ran a bit in use--it still looks good].

gusd · « **Reply #7 on:** November 04, 2009, 06:37:27 PM »

I have lettered a few leather jackets over the years. Being a sign painter I have always
used 1 SHOT lettering enamel with very good results. Some art supply stores
have it, or try a sign shop.
Gus

BrownBear · « **Reply #8 on:** November 04, 2009, 07:57:01 PM »

This is a shot in the dark because I haven't done it myself. But Tandy Leather Factory seems to be a hot spot for leather painting and staining. Prices are right and they have quite a range of colors, but I don't know that I would buy sight unseen. It would be worth a walk-in if you have one nearby or a toll free call with questions to the store nearest you. Noodle around their site and you'll find a listing for store locations and #'s. I've visited half a dozen of their stores around the country, and everyone I've talked to is an experienced leatherworker, and not necessarily 100% pimp for Tandy products. Quiz them about something better in their experience and they'll tell you. And if they think the Tandy product is best, you'll get that too.

G. Elsenbeck · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2009, 08:58:11 PM »

Now that's a nice looking bag George. Great job. Can't wait to see the flap when you get done. What do you plan on doing for color to the bag?
Gary

george kevil · « **Reply #10 on:** November 04, 2009, 11:54:18 PM »

Thanks for the complements on the bag boys.
I picked up some acrylic today to mess with and will try the other stores too. I have lots of scraps to practice on. Kinda like working with wood , lots of scraps and no finished projects. The more I think about paint and ink It kinda scares me to do the bag,but it's only a lid that I can replace.
Glen, when I first started the bag I didn't dye it on purpose . I was just tired of my dyes not being even so I just did one plain with the intention of maybe oiling it.'Then I was looking at some water color drawings and thought about maybe a folk art type picture on the flap. Something new to learn.
Thanks again boys,
George

smallpatch · « **Reply #11 on:** November 07, 2009, 07:59:07 PM »

George,

That some one who's worried about Bambi, would be glad to help you post photos. It looks like you did all right yourself though.

That is a really neat bag.... I got to handle it, and the workmanship is excellent.

If it didn't have that frilly, flowered lining, I'd have tried to talk you out of it. Just not that in touch with my feminine self I guess.

JCKelly · « **Reply #12 on:** November 08, 2009, 04:54:05 AM »

if you decide to use artist's oil paints, www.cheapjoes.com is one good source, moderate prices on Grumbachers stuff.

george kevil · « **Reply #13 on:** November 10, 2009, 02:11:01 AM »

JC,
Thanks, I'm going to put that site in my notes for next time.I found some acrylic and have been playing with it .And cleaning it off everything. Also tried some red and black ink to outline a shape and color it in. Not a solid out line but a suggestive line for shape.
George

G. Elsenbeck · « **Reply #14 on:** November 10, 2009, 02:43:11 AM »

George, by all means, do show us as you progress on your painting. Oh, while I have your ear, your package is in the mail.
Gary

hammerhead · « **Reply #15 on:** November 21, 2009, 08:52:01 PM »

painted leather just never looked pc to me.

rwiegand · « **Reply #16 on:** December 10, 2009, 09:42:04 PM »

Howdy,

FWIW, Ben Hunt back in the day suggested using model airplane dope. The old butyrate type(watch the fumes) for doing imitation quillwork. I tried it back when I was a scout and it worked pretty well. Check his books for the reference. Neat technique.

Whats old is new again, eh boys...

I do know acrylics will work as well.

Good luck, and post the results.

By the way, that bag is almost too nice to paint. Just my humble opinion.

Bob

mill creek trading · « **Reply #17 on:** December 20, 2009, 01:48:21 AM »

The bag looks first rate and I also hope that you post pictures of the painted bag. Dennis

Lloyd · « **Reply #18 on:** December 23, 2009, 02:40:47 AM »

I have done lots of painting of tooled leather. Mostly Cowboy stuff.

I carve and stamp pictures in heavy saddle skirting and then paint it.

What I use is Fiebing's Acrylic Dye for leather. I get it at the Leather Factory (now part of Tandy) in Spokane, WA.

You can get it in 2 oz bottles and it comes in black, dark brown, medium brown, red, blue, green, white, yellow, turquoise, orange and light blue. You can mix the colors to get the color and tint that you want.

It is pretty durable, but it will wear/come off over the years. I have a belt buckle that is about 20 years old and it is warn pretty bad...(You see the natural leather showing through.)

george kevil · « **Reply #19 on:** January 24, 2010, 05:58:58 AM »

First I want to thank the folks that responded with their thoughts. I would have responded sooner but I had trouble with my keyboard. I'm not real savy on this computer.
What I did learn from a customer was to try using latex paints as they are real flexable.
My daughter decided for me not to paint this bag. But a light coat of oil instead. And to go take more art lessons which will be fun.
Thanks for the help
George

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Author Topic: Painting leather (Read 7782 times)

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Mike R

BrownBear

george kevil

george kevil

hammerhead

rwiegand

mill creek trading

Lloyd

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