(Pictures coming soon!)

Leather carving is the process of giving a three-dimensional appearance to leather by 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 of the hide. Once the image was sufficiently extended, a filler mixture of glue and leather dust was added to the back 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.

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.

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

 Lone Star Leather Crafters
 International Internet Leather Crafters’ Guild
 Tandy Leather
 International Federation of Leather Guilds

If you would like your organization or society to be listed here, please contact us.