Before she discovered the joys of leatherwork, Annie Libertini was a painter with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Painting. In this workshop, Annie will bring her painting knowledge to you, covering color mixing, application techniques, and everything else you need to know to create beautiful color and depth in this southwestern landscape with acrylic paint.

The landscape you color must first be carved in Jim Linnell’s “Pictorial Carving: Spirit of the Southwest – Carving” workshop on Friday, or using this online class

Registration and full class information here

Strong drawing skills are a huge advantage in figure carving, allowing you to create original patterns from references and model the leather with realism, and giving you an understanding of shading and contrast that will improve your skill and confidence with coloring. In this class we will cover a range of drawing skills that will enhance your figure carving, including choosing good references and creating templates, how to use light and shadow to show dimension, and using drawing to create and visualize new designs before moving to leather.

Registration and full class information here

My first online class of 2025 is coming up fast! Join me live on Thurs, 2/6 to learn how to create realistic-looking jewels and gems in leather, using reflective and translucent illusion effects that can only be created with color. These techniques can open up a whole new world of uses for seeders, flower centers, and other common stamps!

Register here: https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/1361223327459916800

If you aren't free to take the live class don't worry! It will be recorded and a download link will be sent to everyone who registers. You will save $2.00 on the price of the class by signing up ahead of time!

The class will also be made available for purchase at www.elktracksstudio.com after it is recorded.

In this one-day workshop you will learn leather sculpting techniques and create a life-like, three-dimensional magnolia using natural looking flowers and leaves and using water-based dyes and acrylic paint to bring them to life! At the end of the class the flowers will be assembled and can be made into pins or ornaments.

$100.00 per student

Register here:

https://www.gatewayleatherguild.org/pdf/2024/ShowBooklet.pdf (additional class information)

https://www.gatewayleatherguild.org/files/2024/IFOLG2024ClassRegistrationwithURLs.pdf (registration form)

This class is being given as part of the 2024 International Federation of Leather Guilds Show (IFOLG) being hosted in St Louis, MO by the Gateway Leather Guild and the Saint Louis Boots and Saddles Guild.

Join Annie as she teaches you how to mold, color, and assemble this elegant and realistic peony out of leather. As with all of Annie's flower classes this project is done with minimal tools.

Don’t worry if you aren’t available for the live online class, everyone registered will receive a link to download the class video after the class has been completed.

Register here: https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/7152036604422558723

11/5 Saturday 9am-5pm

Cost: $165.00

Location: Pendleton Leather Show, Pendleton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate, Pendleton, OR 97801

Pre-register here

In this one-day class you will learn leather sculpting techniques and create a life-like, three-dimensional peony using only your hands and a few basic tools. Each student will be instructed in manipulating the leather to make natural-looking flowers and then use water-based dyes and acrylic paint to bring them to life! At the end of the workshop, the flowers will be assembled and can be made into pins, clips, etc. .

11/3 Friday 9am-5pm

Cost: $180.00

Location: Pendleton Leather Show, Pendleton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate, Pendleton, OR 97801

Pre-register here

In this one-day class you will learn all the skills needed to create realistic, life-like portraits in leather. Annie will show you every step needed for a successful leather portrait, from choosing the best images and making a tracing pattern to using basic tools to create dimension and capture the details of character and personality that should shine through in every portrait. While we will not have time to do any coloring in class, Annie will provide a video demo to all students on how she colors portraits. 

I will be selling my masks and other work at All Hallows Art Fest this year, it’s your one chance to buy my work in person!

11/5 Saturday 9am-5pm

Cost: $140.00

Location: Pendleton Leather Show, Pendleton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate, Pendleton, OR 97801

Pre-register: https://www.pendletonleathershow.com/2022-classes-contests/scuplted-3d-orchid-by-annie-libertini

In this one-day workshop you will learn leather sculpting techniques and create a life-like, three-dimensional Cattleya Orchid using only your hands and a few basic tools. Each student will be instructed in manipulating the leather to make natural looking flowers and using water-based dyes and acrylic paint to bring your orchid to life. At the end of the class the flowers will be assembled and can be made into pins, hair clips, or attached to stems.

Materials to bring: Misting spray bottle, stylus, safety skiver or preferred skiving knife, ball end modeling tool (i.e. Tandy #8039-04), paint brushes in a range of sizes (Annie will have extra tools as well).

11/4 Friday 9am-5pm

Cost: $160.00

Location: Pendleton Leather Show, Pendleton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate, Pendleton, OR 97801

Pre-register: https://www.pendletonleathershow.com/2022-classes-contests/tooling-realistic-portraits-sitting-bull-by-annie-libertini

In this one day workshop you will learn to tool a realistic, lifelike portrait of Sitting Bull. In the process of tooling this portrait, Annie will show you how to make a tracing pattern from a photograph and how to use basic tools to create dimension and capture the details of character and personality that should shine through in every portrait. She will also discuss how to choose the best images to use for portraits and how to translate them to leather so that you will be ready to take these skills home and do your own! Although we will not have time to color the pictures, time permitting Annie will demo how she colors and finishes her portraits.

October 20th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM CST
Live Online Workshop - $30
Register at https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/5246604931479818753

Raven are among Annie Libertini's most popular and best-selling masks. She is generously going to share with our community of leatherworkers how they are made!

For those who have never made a mask, this is a great workshop to start with because the coloring is simple. For those who are more advanced mask makers, Annie will be sharing some of her techniques for creating textures and integrating multiple pieces of leather to create the beak. It will be a great one for all!

Annie Libertini is an award-winning artist whose work has been featured on television, in magazines, and more. Her background in studio art offers a unique perspective on how leatherworkers can push the boundaries of how leather can be used as a canvas.

10/6 Thursday 9am-5pm

Cost: $100.00

Location: International Federation of Leather Guilds Show, Double Tree Hotel Dallas - DFW Airport North

Pre-register: https://lonestarleathercraft.com/shop/ols/products/autumn-leaf-mask

Halloween is coming fast and leather is the perfect material to use to make a custom mask! In this one-day class you will learn how to sculpt, detail, and color a striking autumn leaf mask that will look great worn or displayed on the wall. The skills taught in this class can be used for so much more than masks, each student will be instructed in manipulating the leather to make a realistic looking sculpted leaf mask and using water-based dyes and acrylic paint to bring them to life with vivid autumn colors. Tools/other items to bring: Paper and pencil, stylus, modeling spoon, safety skiver or preferred skiving blade, misting spray bottle for water, paintbrushes if you have ones you prefer. Annie will have extra tools available.

Join Annie as she teaches you how to mold, color, and assemble this elegant and realistic magnolia out of leather. As with all of Annie's flower classes this project is done with minimal tools.

Don’t worry if you aren’t available for the live online class, everyone registered will receive a link to download the class video after the class has been completed.

Register here: https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/5380276945739632129

Does anything say 'spring is here' more than blooming tulips? In this class, Annie will teach you how to make these realistic tulips out of leather and bring them to life with beautiful spring colors.

Don’t worry if you aren’t available for the live online class, everyone registered will receive a link to download the class video after the class has been completed.

Register here: https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/1998361697630857985

Join Annie as she breaks down this complex flower into an accessible leather project using minimal tools. This class will cover molding, coloring, and assembling the 3-D purple iris.

Don’t worry if you aren’t available for the live online class, everyone registered will receive a link to download the class video after the class has been completed.

Register here: https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/929943159176726529

Annie Libertini will be offering a two-part workshop on creating a beautiful mallard portrait! The first class will focus on the figure carving and tooling of the bird. In the second, Annie will share her award-winning painting techniques for completing this beautiful mallard portrait.

Register here: https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/3645000204889639681

Annie Libertini will be offering a two-part workshop on creating a beautiful mallard portrait! The first class will focus on the figure carving and tooling of the bird. In the second, Annie will share her award-winning painting techniques for completing this beautiful mallard portrait.

Register here: https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/3645000204889639681

In this one day workshop you will learn to tool a realistic, lifelike portrait of Sitting Bull. In the process of tooling this portrait, Annie will show you how to make a tracing pattern from a photograph and how to use basic tools to create dimension and capture the details of character and personality that should shine through in every portrait. She will also discuss how to choose the best images to use for portraits and how to translate them to leather so that you will be ready to take these skills home and do your own! Although we will not have time to color the pictures, time permitting Annie will demo how she colors and finishes her portraits.

Register here: https://leathercraftersjournal.com/product/tooling-realistic-portraits-sitting-bull/

In this one-day workshop you will learn leather sculpting techniques and create a life-like, three-dimensional sunflower using only your hands and a few basic tools. Each student will be instructed in manipulating the leather to make natural looking flowers and using water-based dyes and acrylic paint to bring them to life! At the end of the class the flowers will be assembled and can be made into pins or ornaments.

Register here: https://leathercraftersjournal.com/product/sculpted-3-d-sunflower/

Mythical creatures are a wonderful way to stretch your creative muscles. The first part in the pair of online workshop will demonstrate how to use basic tools to figure carve this pattern, creating the depth and textures for features such as feathers and flames that help manifest this magical bird on to your leather. The second workshop will be on the painting and coloring techniques that bring this majestic creator to life.

Register here: https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/6535740511737262337

This will be an online class that you can pre-register to join in live on the date and time listed. Live participants will be able to ask questions during the class and will receive a download link for the video within a few days of the live class. The video will also be available for purchase on www.elktracksstudio.com.

Mythical creatures are a wonderful way to stretch your creative muscles. The first part in the pair of online workshop will demonstrate how to use basic tools to figure carve this pattern, creating the depth and textures for features such as feathers and flames that help manifest this magical bird on to your leather. The second workshop will be on the painting and coloring techniques that bring this majestic creature to life.

Register here: https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/3827546615648318977

Part 2 - Mask Painting and Detailing
October 17th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM CST
Live Online Workshop - $30
Register at https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/9166394645281139969

Live class is Oct 17, 6:00-8:00 central time, but if you miss that the video and pattern will be available for purchase on www.elktracksstudio.com within a few days of the live class.

Owl Mask Making Workshop Series with Annie Libertini

Part 1 - Mask Sculpting and Creation
October 10th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM CST
Live Online Workshop - $30
Register at https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/71206972527365889

Live class is Oct 17, 6:00-8:00 central time, but if you miss that the video and pattern will be available for purchase on www.elktracksstudio.com within a few days of the live class.