"Smaug" - the Dragon OR How to Airbrush Leather

Who said a dragon wouldn't fit on a dog collar? Not me, because it worked and I like it a lot. And as a huge J.R. Tolkien and David Cumberbatch fan it had to be Smaug. I hope he is recognisable.

And I included a simple instruction on how to use the airbrush on leather for stunning effects.

Step 1: Supplies

You need

blank leather 4 cm wide and 4 mm thick. Lenght depends on the size of your dog.
4 cm buckle
D-ring 4 cm
rivets

Tools needed

baking paper
swivel knife
beveler
different carving tools http://www.metalclay.co.uk/carving-tools-12-piece-...
Fiebings leather dye black, medium brown and chocolat
eco-flo acrylic colour white and yellow
leather finish http://www.die-ledermacher.de/produktansicht.php?...
edge slicker

Step 2: Drawing Your Pattern and Transfer

a.
I drew the complete dragon on baking paper.

b.
Dampen the leather with a wet sponge.

c.
Transfer pattern to the leather with a pointed tool.

Step 3: Tooling

a.
Cut the lines with your swivel knife.

b.
Bevel the lines.

c.
Use the modeling tools to create the scales.

Step 4: Airbrush the Dragon

To get an amazing colouring effect I didn't paint the dragon but used an airbrush.

I used fiebings leather dye and thinned it with destilled water. Otherwise it wouldn't work with an airbrush, because the pure colour is too thick. The leather perfectly absorbes the water.
This method worked very well for me.

a.
I airbrushed the dragon in as shown with the Fiebings medium brown.

b.
I airbrushed the edges of the dragon with Fiebings chocolat leather dye.

Step 5: Colouring the Background

Paint the background black.

Step 6: Antique Finish

a.
Put on a resist. I use the japan finish.
Let dry.

b.
Rub on a black antique finish with a kitchen paper in circles and work the colour in all cuts. Rub off the remaining colour with a kitchen paper fast.