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Step 2
The design to be carved into the leather is drawn up by hand. Alternatively, you can use computer software such as paint shop pro / photo shop program. This is useful if you have to scan the image or if it is sent via email to me.
The design is then traced onto tracing paper using traditional pencil and tracing paper directly onto the leather hide, which has to be kept to a certain dampness at all times throughout carving process.
Wetting the leather softens it and allows the knife to cut more deeply and evenly, as well as allows the leather to compress. This is the key to keeping the carving flowing, not too wet not too dry. This takes a lot of practice to get the moisture just right, and after a while, you can tell just by the feel of the leather and how the knife flows though the Leather.
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