snakeskin

What kind of prep is needed to snake skin to cast it in PR? Is just clean and dry sufficient, or does it need to be tanned. If being tanned isn't needed, does it cause problems if it is already tanned? Thanks

This is a custom Pentel conversion I made for a trade with a member on another forum. He sent me some arrow shafts and the copperhead skin I used in the pencil. The wood accents are Honey Mesquite. This was my first successful snakeskin cast and I have to thank Don ward for his tutorials on...