Close view of the scales on a living crocodile's tail

The Craft · 04

Look closer. The pattern changes.

The shape is recognisable. The scales are never arranged in quite the same way. Take a closer look at four photographed skins.

Explore the surface

01 · A surface study

Four surfaces. Different details.

Hold the whole skin in view. Inspect the central field, outer edge and narrowing tail. Switch between the four photographs to see what changes.

Cognac crocodile skin laid flat, tail extending to the right — Cognac · photographed skin 03

Four skins, shown whole and in detail. Each set of crops comes from the photograph directly above it.

01 Black

Central scales on the black skin — Central field

Outer edge of the black skin — Outer edge

Narrowing tail of the black skin — Narrowing tail

02 Dark brown

Whole dark brown crocodile skin laid flat

Central scales on the dark brown skin — Central field

Outer edge of the dark brown skin — Outer edge

Narrowing tail of the dark brown skin — Narrowing tail

03 Cognac

Central scales on the cognac skin — Central field

Outer edge of the cognac skin — Outer edge

Narrowing tail of the cognac skin — Narrowing tail

04 Navy

Central scales on the navy skin — Central field

Outer edge of the navy skin — Outer edge

Narrowing tail of the navy skin — Narrowing tail

Colour and scale layout invite a closer look. A grade needs defined criteria; a finished piece needs its own image.

Scale detail on the tail of a living crocodile — Scales on a living crocodile.

02 · Before the workshop

The pattern is there before the cut.

This photograph shows scales on a living crocodile. The four skins above were photographed separately. Compare the living texture with the surface a maker later studies.

Explore life on the farm

03 · What you can see

From surface to selection.

What you have studied here is material. In the collection, bring that eye for detail to the photographed piece, then check its fit and code before you choose.

See the finished pieces

Next · 05 of 07

A surface becomes a decision.

In the workshop, placement determines which part of a skin appears in the final form. Follow that decision next.

Follow the cut Or explore The Pieces