Molding Leather

Molding Leather

We begin by cutting 8 oz, vegetable tanned leather to size and shape. The leather is then soaked in room temperature water for 12 hours changing the water, as needed. When it is soft and pliable, it is molded to the form (in this case, a glass head) by pressing and stretching, using plastic kitchen gadgets, until it begins to take form. I used rubber bands to hold the mask in place and plastic spoons (with the handles broken off) to help press the leather into the "eye sockets". Leather Mask soaking on the "mold" form

Most commonly, a plaster mold would be used to form the leather. But, since I used the glass head, I was able to immerse the mold with the leather on it, in water. Using a plaster mold, the leather would be allowed to dry almost completely, before re-soaking. The process requires that the leather be soaked and molded several times, in order to obtain more detail.

Plaster Mold and Leather Mask
Using plaster impregnated strips, available at most art supply stores, I made a mold of the glass head for the purpose of casting a porcelain mask, in addition to the leather.

Comments: There are a number of sites that offer information about molding leather for body armor and period dress. The techniques are equally effective for sculptural works, as demonstrated by the two links, below. Kingsmere Crafts   Leather Sculpture

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