Painting on Leather 

"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 *

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!

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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...

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

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.

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

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.

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?

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

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

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

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 RU-vid.

I feel better now about how messy I am with paints and dyes.

Great video!! Thank you for sharing the knowledge

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

Now how would you know about those cups? I never would of thought ! Aw come on , just funin You. I like Your Video . If not for people like You with experience , Neanderthal’s and Rural Rasputin’s like Me would be wasting time and money learning the hard way.😊

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

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

I've found that if I paint first , oil second , leaching is always going to ruin my project .

Nice to see some professional techniques, thx.

My problem no one talks about is removing a dye u decide you don't like, maybe it's to dark and want to lighten it up

Painting is something I've never been good at and so painting leather is something I'm hesitant about.

Thanks I really wanna see your antiquing process. I’ll try and find it. Yesterday I used mahogany antiquing and then attempted to seal it with Fiebings spray sheen. It looked great but then started peeling and cracking. I thought my knife sheath was ruined. I went back with light sandpaper and removed as much as possible. I then dyed it with a red dye. It made for a unique antigued looking piece. I’m next going to spray the sheen back on. I’ve never used Top Kote but plan to get some. Thanks Don. I just found you and subscribed. Please sub back. Thanks again. Mark in Paducah, Ky. 👌😉

That's a great idea Cheyenne!

You had me at psychotic 😂 thanks for the info and the laugh!

pre dye your areas brown, that you want to paint black

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!

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

Will the paint still soak in if I've already applied Tan Kote?

Thanks kindly for sharing!

If somebody give you thumbs down I will shoot it for you LOL JK great video great information thank you Don.

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-

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

How Long does the Acrylic Paint take to Dry? Understand that Thickness will effects your drying time.

Excellent tutorial. Thanks for sharing all of this knowledge.

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

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?

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

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

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 !

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

Don I read that native Americans used the animals organs to tan leather? I would like to paint Mia-Pow which is black &a white on HD blacleathe

I stand corrected: Keda Dye. Is is a wood product, and made right here in the good 'ol USA... On wood, the best I have ever used.

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

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

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.

Dye with blue spirit dye 1st then multiple coats of black. Buffing between.

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

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.

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

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

Hello there please since you are an expert i need your advice i want to paint on fake leather ''faux leather'' and i really dont know with what i should paint i saw some using acrylic with acetone but some said it will pill off with time would you give me an advice plz i really need you for this and bless you ^^

can someone link me a very large bottle version because im going to paint over a large cushion and these little bottles won't do. or where can I buy this paint?

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?

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

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

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?

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

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

I do have a suggestion when you talk about the products you use it would be great if you held up the bottle or something. I had a hard time understanding what you said on some of the products.

Hello, is there a spray or do you know of something to protect the paintings on the leather belt I made?

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

I was going to paint on a A-2 leather USAF flight jacket would this work on something like that?

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.

I did like it , thank you

ahhhahha ..if you're in a psychiatric situation they bring u meds in these. omg im stil crackin up!

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!

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

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

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

I use fiebings low voc black and it doesn't run or do none of that. It's jet black to.

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

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

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

What does it mean sir if your dye doesn’t run when your doing your back ground?

Don, are there special paints to use? I don't suppose I coud use acryllic art paint...

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

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.

Hello which pen,paint and spray colour do you use for painting on it tell me in detail so i can buy it

Hey so I have this kinda matte wallet (scratches easily) so can I still use paint or imma ruin it

Very useful! Thanks Don!

Thanks don this helped me a lot

Hi Don, I didn't catch what you said about varnishing or fixing the leather paint/bag. Do you recommend a varnish to protect the paint. Does it stay and not come off easily?? I want to use Angelus paint for on bags, but just wondering if by usage the paint comes off easliy or stays on well. Thanks! Suz

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

No I haven't I was wondering if it made a big difference in how the paint adhered to the leather.

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

Absolutely amazing!

Hi, how do you remove any acrylic paint that might drop or smear? thx

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

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

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

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

Don, do you have a recommendation for using 'Fiebing's Dye Prep'? I notice you didn't mention it in your video. (How cool is it to have Bruce Cheaney commenting on your work?!! Way to go!)