Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: boxerboxer on March 21, 2023, 01:19:19 pm

Title: How would you do a blended multi-tone finish like this?
Post by: boxerboxer on March 21, 2023, 01:19:19 pm

The bow pictured was built by a guy that goes by November South but I think maybe he's on here as Will H, so maybe he'll answer, but generally I'm just wondering how one does this kind of blended look, and what sort of dyes work well for this sort of thing. I've only built a few bows and have left them natural, or in one case, rubbed the whole thing down with charcoal before applying oil.

Title: Re: How would you do a blended multi-tone finish like this?
Post by: bradsmith2010 on March 21, 2023, 03:03:23 pm

I wipe on leather dye,,you can steel wool off and start again if you not happy,,, maybe practice on a test piece first

Title: Re: How would you do a blended multi-tone finish like this?
Post by: Weylin on March 21, 2023, 03:06:06 pm

Yeah, Like Brad said. I use Fiebing's leather dyes. They are great for blending and fading. Takes a little practice to get it right but you can make some cool effects.

Title: Re: How would you do a blended multi-tone finish like this?
Post by: Aksel on March 21, 2023, 03:40:29 pm

I´ve used high quality artist´s oil paint. Mix with oil and/or turpentine to dilute then rub it in. It´s also easy to blend colors this way. Then put a nice shellac varnish over!

Title: Re: How would you do a blended multi-tone finish like this?
Post by: boxerboxer on March 21, 2023, 04:40:08 pm

Thanks guys, appreciate the info!

Title: Re: How would you do a blended multi-tone finish like this?
Post by: bradsmith2010 on March 21, 2023, 04:43:03 pm

let us know how it turns out,,good luck on your project,, :D

Title: Re: How would you do a blended multi-tone finish like this?
Post by: superdav95 on March 22, 2023, 12:40:09 pm

Same here.  Leather dye feibings. Alcohol based.  Start with you lightest Color first then use a heat gun on low setting the dry it well before moving to your next darkest Color and so on. 

Here’s a pic of one I did last year this way. 

Title: Re: How would you do a blended multi-tone finish like this?
Post by: boxerboxer on March 27, 2023, 03:58:41 pm

Quote from: superdav95 on March 22, 2023, 12:40:09 pm

Same here.  Leather dye feibings. Alcohol based.  Start with you lightest Color first then use a heat gun on low setting the dry it well before moving to your next darkest Color and so on. 

Here’s a pic of one I did last year this way.

Did you run the yellow all the way under everything, then red over the top, then black over that? Or does the yellow just overlap with the red a bit? I would imagine you could do either, just with slightly different results.

Title: Re: How would you do a blended multi-tone finish like this?
Post by: Eric Krewson on March 28, 2023, 08:53:48 am

I put on several coats of leather dye, drying each coat with a heat gun, then I rub the areas that I want to be light with a green scotch bright pad.