Other skins, however, with either dull or glossy surfaces make good backgrounds for mosaic decoration, and as they are generally fawn coloured, they may first be stained to produce shaded groundwork very attractive in effect.
The old masters of leather mosaic made great use of fawn-coloured calf, occasionally adding a touch of coloured lacquer to bring out the light parts of the design.
PREPARATION OF THE LEATHER FOR THE GROUNDWORK
The first necessity in working leather mosaic is to have a flat and rigid surface to work upon; it is indispensable therefore, when the leather is not in itself sufficiently thick and firm, to stretch it on cardboard. This rather troublesome preparatory process is best confided to an expert; we will, however, describe it for the benefit of those preferring to execute it themselves. A strong, smooth piece of cardboard called millboard is taken, and the edges rubbed down with glass paper. A thin coat of paste is applied on one side of the board and allowed to dry.
FIG. 18.—PARING KNIFE
