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Tooling An Oak Leaf

Step 5

 

There are a couple of final steps to finish off your oak leaf.  First, using a pear shader, hollow out the center of the leafs to give some texture.  Then, using your swivel knife, make some cuts to indicate viens in the leafs.  Finish off with a few cross hatch cuts on the acorn husks and you are finished.

 

As for staining, you have some choices here.  One method is to use an antique stain and rub a bit more off the oak leafs that the background.  This maks the leafs look like they are sitting on top of the project.  

 

A second way to create the look of leafs sitting on the project is to dodge out  the leafs completely.  There are two ways to do this that I've had success with.  One is to use acrylic clear paint.  The other is to use Tandy Super Sheene.  Use two coats of Super Sheene if you go that way.  Now when you add the antique stain it rubs right off the dodged out areas.  Be sure to let the dodging coats dry fully before trying this and have moistened paper towels at the ready when you do it.  Some of the antique stain will get in the cuts and grooves of the leafs but that simply adds character to them

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