Work in progress

[rbaptiste]

New pictures soon ;-)

[SVD]

What I can see of it looks nice! :thumbsup:

I'm limited to what I can see on my phone because the Firewall of Idiocy is blocking me from seeing the image on my work computer.

[mckeenh]

Nice job Roland. Is this your profession? I assume this is a pen barrel you have engraved. I like your work.
Neil:yesnod:

[rbaptiste]

Thanks, yes it is my profession I begin to engrave 18 years ago ;-)

[rbaptiste]

;-)

[rbaptiste]

A another picture ;-)

[Gene Tru]

Roland,
I really admire your design and shading technique, not only on this project but on other projects you have posted as well. What method do you use for holding this pen in a vise? Great work!
Gene

[Vanknife]

Roland very nice I like the design it make me think of the big elegant pillars in an old Roman palace.

Cheers

"VAN"

[rbaptiste]

Thanks
It is my inspiration, wait the next pictures you will have a surprise ;-)

[SVD]

Count me in with both Van and Gene - lovely work, very classical feeling. And how do you secure the pen for engraving?

[rbaptiste]

I secure the pen between two parts of wood

[SVD]

Is it held at the ends or on the sides? I can see doing it either way. In fact, I can see doing it both ways so you can work on the whole pen.

[rbaptiste]

Here you can see a another picture with black ground and my litlle studio photo.
You can see too my secure for my vise ;-)

[SVD]

Great small item 'studio'! :thumbsup:
It must have cost you, what? almost a penny?

Looks like you're just using the wood to pad the jaws and laying the pen along the gap then? How about a picture of a pen 'in the jaws', just to make it clear for us?

[mckeenh]

Good job. I saw a jig for holding pistol barrels and cylinders somewhere and they had set up a pair of centers like a lathe. the bars were bent to fit in the holes on top of the gravers ball and then bent up on the ends to hold the centers. Would work quite well for your pens I think.

Neil:yesnod:

[SVD]

Roland

I was inspired to copy your magnificent macro studio. Had a little piece I wanted to get pictures of and an empty milk jug (I usually keep one around because they're surprisingly useful things) so a minute with the scissors and...

Thanks for putting the idea out there! :thumbsup:

[rbaptiste]

Hi Mckeenh where are you looking that? Do you have the web link?

SVD I wait to see your picture ;-)

[SVD]

Roland

I just started a thread in the Main forum for posting 'recent' work - the image is in there.

[rbaptiste]

This is the pen finished

[SVD]

I'm having to look at a small image on my phone since my work won't let the image through and even then it looks great! Can't wait until tonight at home where I can see it for real.

Thanks for sharing!

edited to add: Yes indeed, that is gorgeous! I foresee a very happy owner in that pen's future. :thumbsup:

[mckeenh]

Good job Roland, Do you make the pens from scratch or do you start with a factory pen? I assume the barrels are stainless? Either way it is a great job! I like your improve on tools as weel. I use a plastic tub from wal mart for my photo tent. It works well, I just need to improve my photo skills.

Neil

[rbaptiste]

Mckeenh, I work for Mercury factory. The pen are all in silver. It is very delicate to work on.

[rbaptiste]

One picture more
The theme is Saint Michel and the Demon ;-)

[SVD]

I thought that looked a lot more like silver than steel.

Interesting that you work at the factory. On the one hand it (should be) a steady paycheck but on the other hand I imagine it somewhat limits what you get to do.

And Neil - the number one tip for better photography: use a tripod (in case you aren't).

[mckeenh]

Roland, I like your work, Steve I am using a tripod but just moved it up to gain some distance and will crop with the software. I will see is that clears things up a bit.

Neil:yesnod:

[rbaptiste]

Thanks, I use a tripod but the silver is very brightness and the focus is very difficult. The form round is a difficulty too.
I try to do better last one ;-)

[mckeenh]

Roland, I guess in this day of technology we can't just be engravers, we have to be photographers and computor wizzes too. Sometimes I find it a pain.

Neil;:yesnod:

[rbaptiste]

Yes 3 job for 1 price ;-(