• Make Professional looking leather pieces

• 20 years experience

• Inspiration to Creation to Marketing

• 12 easy-to-follow modules

• Tutor & Student Discussion groups

• Watch & Practice Videos

• Digital eBook

• Bonus Guidance Patterns

• Bonus Exclusive Arts

• 30 Day Money Back Guarantee

Begin Your Creative Adventure

Leather from Concept to Creation in 12 Simple Steps

Have you ever sat staring in awe at the masterpieces your favourite heroes wore on the big screen?

Maybe browsed through photos of incredible leather costumes or armour, wishing you could make something just like it... but don’t think you have the talent?

Or perhaps you have dreamed about creating something amazing using leather for yourself or your beloved horse or dog... but haven’t known where to start?

With over 25 years’ experience in crafting leather armour and costumes for Ren enthusiasts, Larpers, Cosplayers and the film industry, I have decided to share my passion for leatherworking, design and all things creative to your workbench. Via a new unique online course, I will lead you by the hand through everything.

Step by step I'll share my entire personal creative process so even an absolute beginner will be able to design, create and bring life to their dreams.

Whether your passion is for Ren Fairs, Larp, Cosplay or SCA, this course will prepare you for a journey of expression and creativity.

Learn to Create Masterpieces, Even While on a Tight Budget

30 years ago, I made my very first piece of leather armour for a theatre production. I picked apart second-hand sheepskin from a flea market, used hot glue and some DIY hobby rivets, and somehow cobbled my armour together.

That experience ignited my passion for leather crafting. I had no teachers and no internet, no mobiles or wi-fi… just libraries, museums, and old VHS tapes to fuel my dream.

But now, you don’t need to guess and pray your armour holds together right… you get to learn from anywhere in the world.

Start off your fantastic journey crafting leather armour. Capture your inspiration. You'll learn:

• A step by step detailed introduction teaching you the fundamentals behind the art of “Design” and the skills needed allowing you to create your own unique projects, using centuries old techniques;
• In depth discussions and demonstrations, showing how you can then takes your concepts to the next stage of creation;
• How to create your very own libraries of ideas, as well as my own go to secret sources of inspiration;
• How to keep all your ambitious plans, mood boards and ideas organised so you'll never lose a design again.

Beginning to bring your concept to life. You'll learn:

• How to create a working dummy based on your exact proportions, enabling a perfect fitting for the wearer;
• The fundamentals of basic design practicalities, enabling a closer look at how materials work together;

• How to work with a mannequin, sizing up, re shaping and adjusting the form, including techniques for extending the life of your working dummy for future projects;

• How you’re working dummy and base forms, will work with your pattern.

From concept to pattern. You'll learn:

• How to construct begin constructing your own detailed patterns using the mannequin or former from module 3;
• How to create your first pattern skins, as well as how to bring a perfectly fitting 3 dimensional feel to your design.
• The fundamentals of pattern cutting and working with your personal dummy former;
• The different pattern options; and...
• The different media and methods involved in pattern making.

Choosing your materials, their best uses and best practices. You'll learn:

• The different types of leathers and also non-animal alternatives;

• The different terminology;

• How to identify different types and parts of leather;

• A basic understanding of how different types of leather are made;

• How to size and source leather;

• What type of leather you'll need for any given project;

• How to budget for your project and costs involved; and

• Where you can substitute if things get too expensive.

Learn all the tools you need to work with leather. You’ll learn:

• What each tool does and their uses, as well as practical demonstrations, hints and tips ;
• The reality of how few tools you require in order to produce any design:

• To gain experience in using these tools; and...

• To gain a solid understanding of how to use them to dramatic effect.

Here we teach you more advanced tooling skills to get the detail you want.

• Get 20 years worth of experience and techniques, as well as the processes used by many leading industry professionals;

• How to use simple techniques to create stunning designs; and...

• Discover how to add texture, detail and embellishments to elevate your own work to a new standard.

Learn the ancient art of leather forming.

• Learn how to use simple techniques and little more water to shape to help you form leather into complex and rigid shape;

• The limitations of forming leather; and...

• Tips and tricks to make the process easier.

The final application of dyes stains waxes and distressing. You'll learn

• How to create stunning professional level finishes:

• How to decorate your leather work, including an introduction to many of the metalwork & finish options available;

• Insider advice on how to add world class finishes; and

• How to apply the same antiquing processes as Alex to create stunning leather.
• How to Gild using both modern and ancient techniques, using a variety of foils, leaves & paints.

Dive into all the considerations when designing Armour, Accessories and Costumes. You'll learn:

• How the physical limits of the human form influences the design of your armour, Costumes & Accessories;
• How to create something fit for purpose, its aesthetic fit for your costume or character, as well as all the practical lists of considerations needed when creating any project (Materials choices & their place in your planning);

• The strengths and weakness of different types of materials, be they leather, fabrics or other synthetic materials;

• What's possible and practical when creating armour (and when you can bend the rules);
• The differences between turning heads with your Armour at a Ren Faire, Larp or Cosplay vs the NEED to Turn Rattan or Steel at SCA Event.

Continuing from the previous pattern making module, learn how to transfer your physical prototype patterns into final format. You'll learn:

• How to translate designs into digital and final pattern format; allowing faster, easier adjustment options for later use:

• To gain solid understanding of patterns, & sizing techniqies;

• How patterns form the skeleton of almost all designs; and
• The software that Alex uses and valuable tips from his experiences.

Drawing on all the skills that you've learnt, you'll move from concept to real life creation. You'll learn:

• How to transition from design to a physical representation of your concept; and...
• Some basic leather tooling skills.
• The final steps in creating your first working prototype design:
• How to plan for your detailing, embossing and embellishments.

Building your audience, client base and following. You'll learn:

• How to market, create a social media presence and turn a hobby into a business; and...

• Everything Alex has to know about creating a business so that you can create a successful armoury.
• How to create your own personal brand and signature style, enabling your own unique fan following.

Discover Your Resourcefulness

I’ve designed this course to start you at the level I was when I started, with no money or materials. The course assumes no prior knowledge, so wherever you are on your leatherworking journey, you’ll be taken step-by-step through a process that genuinely delivers results.

My passion is supporting and empowering the next generation of leather craftsmen, which is why this course is structured in such a way that any investment in tools and materials is kept to an absolute minimum. Second-hand tools and materials are readily available from various outlets and are very cost-effective. You’ll be amazed at the effect you can achieve for very little cost.

Full Support When You Need It

Each module comes with a post-module discussion group so you can discuss your ideas and any questions you may have with your fellow students. If you need extra help, we also offer ongoing support to help you with any issues you may have. I’ll also be filming bonus videos to cover the most frequently answered questions arising from these discussions to make sure you have all the information you need.

What’s more, the course comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, no questions asked, so if you try it and decide that it’s not for you, you have the confidence of knowing you’ll get your investment back.

Alex Agricola

Founder of Black Raven Armoury & Author of The Crystal Anvil

Born in the U.K. and currently based in the historical town of Stratford Upon Avon, Alex currently heads up one of the most respected teams of creators in the world, specialising in the design and production of Leather Armour & Accessories for a variety of industries including Larp, Ren, Cosplay, Motion Pictures & Television.

Now It's YOUR Turn

Whether you’re a hobbyist who wants to perfect their skills or you dream of being a professional leatherworker with your creations featured in movies and more, this course will take you wherever you want to go.

As part of the course, you’ll be assigned a project. If you choose, you can submit a digital portfolio of work to Alex and his team, who will personally assess your work. If it meets our standards, you’ll be issued a certificate to confirm that you’ve been trained by Black Raven Armoury, which will help you get started in this exciting industry. We will give you the confidence and skills you need to establish yourself as a professional in your own right. This course could open doors you never believed could be accessible to you.