Leather

Leathers and finishes vary greatly. We strongly recommend testing an inconspicuous area or scrap of material before beginning on your final surface.

Clean area and remove previously-applied coatings with isopropyl alcohol. If coatings remain, lightly scuff the surface with fine sandpaper to give the paint some fine texture to grab onto. Apply paints in thin layers for the best flexibility. Bend and stretch the test piece to mimic normal use.  If cracking appears in testing, follow the instructions for adding GAC 900 to acrylics for softness as outlined in the article linked below.

Acrylic, oil, watercolors, and drawing media can be applied directly to the leather.  The most important consideration is the end use.  Acrylics are the recommended choice for wearables, but all applications should be tested.

Article: Painting on Leather with Acrylics