Leathers carved with all kinds of patterns like grass and flowers, mountains and lakes, birds and beasts and various tattoos are hanging on walls and sitting on shelves at a workshop in Changchun, Jilin province.

All of these carved products were made by Zhang Yuan, one of the first craftsmen to be obsessed with leather carving in China.

He started to perfect the skill in 2006 after acquiring advice and suggestion from many leather carvers.

Zhang works on one of his leather carving art pieces at his workshop. [Photo/Xinhua]

Taking advantage of his solid foundation in painting, Zhang is able to make delicate and unique leather carvings that attract people, particularly young ones, to come to him to learn the skills.

Zhang said his favorite patterns are the grass patterns created and popularized in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) as they are a part of traditional Chinese culture.

"We should follow our heart and do something we love and that is at the same time meaningful in our limited life. I want to make good products and make my life worthy," Zhang added.

The Tang Dynasty grass pattern is one of Zhang's favorites. [Photo/Xinhua]

Leather carving is a type of traditional craft in many western countries and spread to China only in recent years.

The patterns are always carved on cattle hides and making a leather carving involves complicated processes such as sketching, rubbing, grooving, carving, dyeing and sewing.

Zhang dyes his leather carving product at his workshop. [Photo/Xinhua]