Leather carving is the process of giving a three-dimensional appearance to leather by a process of cutting and stamping the surface.

Robb created his three dimensional works by tracing a pattern onto a piece of cow hide, or leather. He then wet the leather and stretched it forward by pushing on the back side of the hide. Once the image was sufficiently extended, a filler mixture of glue and leather dust was added to the back of the hide to hold the shape.

Then areas on the surface of the hide were painstakingly cut and lifted with knives to add further depth to the image. For example, on Robb’s famous bear’s head, each bit of fur was individually cut and lifted.

After cutting and lifting, various leather carving tools were used to provide additional detail and texture, and finally Robb painted the pieces by hand.

[show pictures of works in progress or detail on final pieces]

All of Robb’s techniques are available today via instructional videos. In addition, Robb created many of his own patterns which are available for sale at XXX.

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For additional information on leather carving or leather carving societies, please see the following:

 Tandy Leather
 International Federation of Leather Guilds
 Other???