Painting on Leather

[@carlaburgess1596]

Back in the 70's my dad started creating beautiful art using a leather canvas. I recently inherited my dad's creation of The Last Supper. Your video instructions were very helpful to me because the piece required minor restoration. My dad's in heaven now and whenever I look at the piece I can hear him saying "well done daughter. " Thank you Dan!

[@derinedala5032]

"Here's a scrap piece that I tooled a practice pattern on" * pulls out the most intricate and beautiful floral design I've ever seen *

[@Handles-R-Lame]

Shut up with the spam bruh.And give ur gf some space, unless you want me to come by and swoop.

[@cheaneysaddles]

Don, In my younger days I made and antiqued a lot of belts and then got away from that and started making saddles and just oiling them for the finish. I really needed a refresher course on the subject of painting, dyeing and antiquing and this video explains everything I needed to know. Thanks for the Video it is Great! Bruce Cheaney

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

Bruce Cheaney hey there Bruce! Thanks so much sir! I have been following your work for years and to have that compliment from someone at your level means a lot to me! Sorry it took me so long to respond... I guess I missed this when you posted it! Thanks again!

[@jakebrandt5882]

Folks, even the masters, like Bruce, never stop learning. Thanks for all you've both taught me over the past couple years!

[@turkeycreekknives133]

Wow complement from mister Cheaney love to see both of you working together thanks for the videos !

[@racp9mm419]

Bruce Cheaney love Bruce!

[@katelee9718]

Mr. Don I recently opened a leather shop and I have learned so much from you and Mr. Bruce Chaney. Thank you so much for this post! I was really struggling with this now I feel much more confident about doing two tone work.

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

+Kate Lee hey there!!! Fantastic and congrats on the new business venture! Thanks so much for the support!!!

[@maynardconde.2954]

I thank you so much for all your instructions and availebility on teaching, Don!! All the best, Master Craftman! Maynard. Brazil.

[@curtissheppard1996]

This is perfect video man, I got some spur straps to make,with paint,and burning the lines. Dream catchers. I needed this man thank you.

[@christianolivier9188]

Ireally appreciate your videos on all skills in leather crafting. Its really fascinating to watch these patterns come to life as you work. Thank you for sharing

[@valerieconrad926]

The info in this dying/painting video makes so much sense. Glad I referred to it, as it gives me confidence to dive right in. Here goes...

[@Ben-rr1pe]

Thanks again boss! Your gonna be in the leather hall of fame one of these days.

[@jesusesquer440]

If you’re using plastic cups put a dab of petroleum jelly on the bottom. I am also a tattoo artist and use that for my water cup and ink caps. It really helps.

[@robingibson7503]

I really appreciate you taking the time to share your skills. The dyeing and painting always stumped me.

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

+robin gibson fantastic! Glad I could help!

[@dianegraham4410]

Thank you Don, this was really helpful. I could sit and watch you ALL DAY but I have work to do and your lessons to put into practise. BRILLIANT!

[@ericsmith5104]

I'm not artistic at all but this video gave me some ideas I NEVER would have even considered. Great video. Thank you.

[@waynerogers5485]

Nice reference to “Draw, Mix, Paint”. I was thinking of him right after you started. Absolutely.

[@INFIDEL82AA]

Hey, DG, that's exactly where I pick up all of my paint cups! The psych-ward! Sometimes, the left-over residue from the anti-psychotics, will help bring the tone down in some of my brighter colors, too. So, there is definitely a "Pro" to re-using those little suckers! I really like the painting technique that you used on your flowers! The strokes leave a really natural-looking transition, from one color to the next, allowing them to look more realistic. Thanks again! I really do enjoy your work! You are my favorite artist in the business, on KZbin.

[@jellybaby822]

🤣🤣

[@kevincohn5862]

I thought you did a great job. First time painter...I've just got started. I thought your carving was incredible and how you did your background dying was so easy. I enjoyed your videos very much..... thank you Kevin.

[@mikeflerchinger5765]

Very educated on your leather working. Great work! Your my schooling! Thanks!

[@colormecutecanines]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge on all these different aspects of leather work. Im really enjoying learning from you. Im just starting to do some leather work and love that someone with so much knowledge is willing to take the time to teach others not to mention all the tedious video editing and what not that goes with this aspect. Many, many thanks to you Sir!

[@AnniArizona]

This was the 1st video I've watched of yours... I'm a beginner with alot of design ides. And no clue how to put them into effect .... LOVE this video, helped alot ... will be watching 'em all !

[@delRio956]

I could not stop laughing in the beginning when you demonstrated the spilling...LOL. . . I'm probably laughing more than i should, but I just thought that was funny

[@michaelwills1926]

delinah juarez same here...it’s all inevitable isn’t it. Haha

[@janjones4772]

Beautiful leather tooling, nice painting. 👍 Thanks-for sharing

[@LOVoutdoors]

Awesome info!!! Thanks Don for sharing your knowledge to fellow crafters... you got a fan for life! I will also pay it forward!

[@stevecoster322]

Never mind dieing, you killed it. Just that first background bits among the flowers and bang there they were... Man but you're good... Loved this video, thank you.

[@fenderman065]

Don, Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with everyone, it helps tremendously... You do AWESOME work..!

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

+Rondall Jones thank you so much for the support and kind words! I appreciate you buddy!

[@temilola1]

I love working with leather and I learned so much! Thank you!

[@MotherHemCreations]

I'm just about to make my first leather project and this has helped so much for my girlfriends leather collar she requested.

[@codybroken]

Even if you have no interest in this excellent video, at least watch until Don gets up from his paint bench, about 1:50.

[@philipgoetz8681]

For straight black, look into vinagaroon leather dye. (It's not a brand; it's a medieval method of dying leather black with vinegar & iron.) It's basically free, never runs, gives a perfect even dark black, & is easy. Downside is it can weaken the leather a bit, but not much.

[@proamericanstoptyranny1260]

Appreciate the info. New to leather and this has really helped

[@richardkatzman1215]

Absolutely amazing!

[@joshuaewing2647]

I love your use of humor without A. Acknowledging it and B. Being overbearing about it. Well worth the subscription.

[@pdwhit]

Thanks Don! Great video. Extremely helpful. Answered lots of questions for me.

[@neilyeag]

Excellent tutorial. Thanks for sharing all of this knowledge.

[@gillianturner5300]

Brilliant, easy to follow and understand.

[@christopherconaway4028]

Outstanding instructional video. You Tube can be such a amazing and useful tool, when someone of this guy's knowledge base makes informative vids as this-

[@OtterLakeFlutes]

Thanks -- Ilooked for this since I wanted to follow suit and antique w/Tan Kote & Fiebing's antique finish paste (Tan Kote instead of Eco-Flo or even Fiebings acrylic products) but noticed Fiebings warns Tan Kote is not a water resistant top cote (at least not as much, or by description) so this made me concerned about using the water-based stains. So voila: use Fiebing's oil stain and don't worry about it. Done and done :) I LOVE the more subtle, matte finish of Tan Kote! Super-Sheen reminds me of my cheesy plywood violin that don't play right. So cool to see the masters salute each other below

[@williamlanza7858]

Very informative and well presented!

[@tosihikonatui9747]

My name is Toshihiko Natsui, who is watching in Japan. Thank you for your wonderful videos.

[@wknoxwknox]

Very useful! Thanks Don!

[@cwranch1]

Great video!! Thank you for sharing the knowledge

[@Esuper1]

Appreciate the time you take to share your tutorials. Having said that if you were to tell me you were about to paint over such beautiful leather work, we would be doing some muay thai in the shop.

[@AcrossLeatherNewCastle]

Don, Great video! A gal asked if you can put glitter in paint. I wash some in the finish. Really cool effect along with translucent paints.. Your leather piece rocked too! I usually use ,my airbrush with the spirit dyes

[@guismth]

Thank you for doing this so generously

[@leecooper5876]

Awesome video, mate.

[@LoraKnutson]

I love your work! Very cool!

[@DougsterCanada1]

Thanks kindly for sharing!

[@jimandjeanboyer4526]

Very helpful video, Thanks.

[@jenniferturner961]

Thank you for sharing tips and techniques..Sooo helpful!!

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

That's a great idea Cheyenne!

[@macgyver2417]

Nice tutorial. Thanks

[@roberthodgson4741]

Thank you Don - appreciated....

[@purplebrainmtvlam]

you used raw leather. how about painting on a finished product already, like bags? do you use the same proces?

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

Anthony our belts average around $500 depending on artwork and color.

[@bonniebrumfield49]

If you need protective paper under your leather when painting, open up an old magazine using the pages to protect your table. Tip for small painting areas. Just turn the pages to get a clean new area to paint on.

[@bccazdsrtdwlr]

Hilarious!! "....psychiatric ward where they bring you your meds...." Great to have some humor in here;)) Thank you....

[@hoss1003]

To keep it from bleeding into the letters or other area, paint with Tandys Super Sheen on it first and let it dry real good. Then dye or paint other area. It will seal the leather and keep anything from penetrating. Great videos and good luck.

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

+Hoss cool deal I️ will have to try that! Thanks!

[@eddiecollins4487]

Al Stohlman's Luck 8 Belts...Blue then Black...Probably like the Blue and Black mix together..

[@sreynoldsred]

Your videos are great! Thanks for sharing

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

Thank u so much!

[@luke4351]

Thanks don this helped me a lot

[@caster2534]

You rock DG.

[@codymitchell8077]

Don awesome video as always i have been following your vids for awhile now and learn a great deal. I have been leather working fir about 4 months now and still cant find a good way to clean my brushes after diein. I have used alcohol and other stuff. Just wondering if u have something. I am interested in your classes as well if you get around to it. Let me know, thx.. Cody

[@sisherb6685]

Great videos. Thanks. Do you put neatsfoot oil on your tooled leather before you start the painting or dying process, or only after you are done with the background and boarder?

[@Slepho]

Thanks for a great video.

[@MrJdsenior]

Nice to see some professional techniques, thx.

[@karenbusch3549]

I did like it , thank you

[@craigdraper8325]

Don Thank you for your videos, this is a good one. I tend to struggle with white acrylic paint no matter who or what makes it. I originally thought it was Tandy's cova color white but I switched to Angelus and was told to thin with water like you said. I received two white acrylic Angelus paint so I thinned one down and kept one at full strength and neither way was doing the job. I had some lettering that I was trying to paint white on a black background and I would fill the letters with white. When it dried the paint in the center portion migrated to the out side so that it appeared that I was antiquing black with white. I did at least four coats with the same results. Since I had hand painted a 3-D stamp of a mountain scene and roses and leaves I didn't think that would be a problem for the letters, boy was I wrong. What can I do th get the white to stay in the letters well.

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

+Craig Draper thanks a bunch man! If I understand u correctly you were trying to cover black dyed leather with white. I would suggest leaving anything you are going to paint undyed especially if the dye you are going with is black. Black is hard to cover especially with white. As far as the white bleeding outside of where you want it, I would try not thinning down as much or maybe not at all. Sounds like it was a little thin. I usually have this problem with the black dye... I have never had the paint bleed like this though. Let me know if any of this helps.

[@defaicofurniture282]

great video!

[@briantooker8224]

Don. I am just getting into leather tooling and I am finding your videos very helpful. You are using Feibing's Oil leather dye in this video. However, I believe that Feibing now has "Pro Dye". I do not believe that the Pro dye and the Oil dye are the same. Would you recommend using the Feibing's Pro Dye or find another Oil based leather dye? thank you. Brian

[@victorymike88]

I know all my colors and most of my shapes!!

[@vaviking1]

Great video

[@eh024680]

Awesome demo. However, what oil product did you use for oiling. after painting to bring out your tooling and natural leather features color? And, which antique did you use? Please reply ASAP. Eddie Hodges

[@billmccaffrey1977]

Have you ever made/used vinegaroon dye? You can turn leather jet black through and through.

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

I made it one time just to try it... I want to experiment with it more... seems pretty cool... I just don’t use a lot of black.

[@Viziblee]

Great work Don! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. Question: When finishing an item, and applying tan kote, this doesn't seem to guarantee the item won't bleed the dye off if it gets wet. I'd hate to make a wallet/belt and have the dye bleed on clothing. If I use a sealer like tan kote is that what you use for items like bels? Also, can I still soften the leather with a beeswax/olive oil type conditioner after it's sealed with tan kote or is it of no use. Just trying to make sense of this all. Thanks so much Don!

[@minervaruiz5754]

Loved it

[@teddymunoz]

Nice tnx for sharing your talent and process. Quick question though.. What is your suggestion on how to seal a leather paint job? Is there a clear top coat that can be added as another layer to give protection to the paint job?

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

teddymunoz thanks so much man! When it comes to paint on leather, the paint acts as a finish coat. There really is no need to deal it but i use tankote. Anything stronger will actually strip the paint from the leather and cause a mess.

[@teddymunoz]

Don Gonzales awesome! Appreciate the quick response. Cheers!

[@Komponents]

Your videos are WONDERFUL! Wondering if you’ve tried alcohol inks?

[@afair937]

Hi Don, I see you have One Shot sign paints in the back there. I’m just now considering entering this world of leather/textile painting. I’m a fine artist who wants to paint on leather jackets and other types of clothing. I want to work mostly in one color applications for now (probably white). Wondering if you’d suggest the one shot paints for something like painting on a leather jacket or because of their qualities do you think they would chip away? Just thinking about nicely it applies to your surface, and only having to paint once. Thanks so much!

[@CantrellLeatherGoods]

Love your videos. Thank you so much. That sunburst technique is beautiful, I'm stealing it and calling it my own 😉 just kidding, of course.... Sorta 😜 Thank you again!!!

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

+Choya C hey thanks so much and steal away!!! That's what this is all for!

[@smilelifes.a.4204]

great job man i have cuestion for you wath kind of preparation follows that painting a sealer or wath or just that s it im preparin a my knife custom jaj but i dont now about leather well

[@cheyannechilders1878]

Beginner here... I am just starting to practice oil and dyes but was wondering if the leather still needs to be cased to apply the dye/oil or if it should be dry?

[@randydavison6363]

Good afternoon Don! I've been toiling on a clutch purse. When not tooling I keep the leather in a gallon ziplock. Today I took it out of the bag and there is an area that has what looks like something blue has been rubbing on it. Mold? If so what do I do?

[@claraluna6799]

Hi, Excellent tips, I'm learning how to work leather, can you please tell me if the normal acrylic paints on canvas are used to paint leather? Excuse me, I'm also learning English

[@satawa8]

Hello ,thank you for your video, I am from France and I discovered this channel to which I subscribed immediately. I have a question to ask you I would like to know how to protect angelus painting on your books? Obviously you seem to produce the article for horses (from what I could see through your videos) .. I myself produce and unfortunately I met some woes with this painting angelus, which finished peel over time .. I know that the "enemy" of acrylic is the fat .. what is embarrassing is that we know that the riders over time to maintain their equipment will make a adding oil or fat to nourish the leather, and unfortunately the paintings do not like too much; and also the folds repeated on some bridle bridle I was able to notice cracks and peelings of paintings sometimes .. Would you have a product to advise to protect the paintings patterns please? I use recently the "pro'resist" fiebing's I do not know if this product is good to protect the painted patterns ... I tested the "saddle lake" in aerosol, it has been a disaster this product crack very fast .. MErci in advance

[@JunkMailBoxStuff]

Have you tried Resolene?

[@katherinecox]

The dye spill 🤣🤣 hilarious!

[@angielewis5056]

Were you talking about the black dye bleeding or the black acrylic paint?

[@redwordsLou]

"psychiatric environment" that was the best, Great Vid! Thanks for all your vids.

[@TheMNBlackBear]

Nice!

[@homegardencompletecarehome2182]

Hi Don I like your paintin. Time to time im doing small things eg keyring etc. May I ask you what are those color paints like white blue etc pls? I guess they are not Fiebings but probably some acrylic, am I right? Would you let me know manufacturer and type of those paint? Thank you

[@claraluna6799]

Hello, Excellent tips, I'm learning how to work leather, can you please tell me if the normal acrylic paintings of painting are used to paint leather?

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

Some say that other brands of acrylic paint will crack at bends in the leather. I have no personal experience, but the paints made for leather appear to be better that way.

[@tiffanykampersal5978]

I'm new to leatherworking and on a bit of a budget, is there a way to paint leather by watering down and using Americana or those types of acrylic paint?

[@markrichardson239]

Have you tried Keta Dye?

[@fordfan3179]

What's the upside to tan coat over plain resist?

[@davegreenlee1802]

I see you have sign painters paint on your shelf. What do you use that paint for? Thanks, love your videos

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

+Dave Greenlee thanks so much! I dabble with sign painting... not good at it... just dabble! Lol! You can use it on leather though!

[@scottearl6479]

Don I'm trying to figure out a way to paint on a tooled leather motorcycle seat. I am worried about running if it gets wet, or any other damage to the painted surface. Any ideas ? If acrylics were watered down enough would it soak into the leather and stay. Might not be as vibrant but still dramatic

[@raafayes]

How do you rub off mistakes on leather? Anything you can recommend

[@betoloera1]

how do you do a sunburst on a belt.. is it better to use dyes or gals or does it matter.. What do you recommend

[@logenmiller8969]

Do you use a steep bevel or a standard. On a separate note, I can not get my beveler to level that dark color / burnished look. Is this a casing issue? Or maybe the leather is not dry enough? I’ve tried both, and everything in between, and can not get the color you do. I thought it could be the angel of my beveler. Appreciate your time

[@randydavison6363]

I'm inclined to tell you it's the leather. I had the same problem using cheap veg tanned and when I tried a piece of Herman oak, I couldn't believe how much better my tooling looked.

[@alexgaddis2790]

How does this paint hold up to use? Like if I painted a wallet or a holster

[@walterjones6028]

Hi Don in the past i would die dark blue then die black. It will prevent fading and make the black look richer. walter

[@everettmukes2235]

Trying to mix dyes to get burnt orange for a UT customer. What would you suggest? Thank you