Terry, Rawhide is amazing stuff. I use it when I have doubts about a bow's back. It has cool coloration on its own but I usually decorate it with snake skins or in this case animal print tissue paper.
BLM, Give it a shot. We can talk you through the process. I consider most of my bows to be flat bows. I do make an occasional ELB style but mostly flat bows. I usually let the stave decide the shape although I have to hobble them first sometimes. Pat