transparent rawhide question

[ravenbeak]

Hey guys,

I am working on a bow and would really like to paint the back of the bow first and then do a rawhide backing over top so the painting fades through.   Anyone know how to get the rawhide transparent?

I have read in the books about the clarified calf skin,  but it said that today no one know how it was done.   I have a doe skin which has been membraned and grained,  but on my test piece it still came out too thick and I could barely see the painting under.   Do I rack it and dry scrape it to reduce thickness?

any help greatly appreciated,   
jamie

[medicinewheel]

Why not do it the other way round?? Rawhide is perfect surface to paint on. I've done acrylic as well as ink.
Translucent calf hide DOES exist, and it's not hard to find at all. Timpani heads are made of that. I never used it, but I'm sure it's really good.
I always beltsand rawhide to an even thickness from the fleshside and I handsand it some more once it is fully dry.

[mikekeswick]

I would be worried about the glue bond and would only ever paint the outside.