When I "painted" my lads Bodhran I first printed the design on paper, placed it inside and against the skin, then by holding it over a light the design could be seen through the skin.
I used Leather dye pens (like a felt tip pen but filled with leather dye and come in most colours) and just traced and filled the design in.
For the more artistic miss out stage (2) :-)
Pete
as a matter of interest the design is still there over nine years latter after LOTs of beatings although like my hair is wearing thin in the middle!