Hello From Fenton, MO, USA

[inkart]

My name is Michael Halbert and this is my first post to this forum. I have been a freelance illustrator for over 30 years, and have specialized in scratchboard with and engraved or woodcut look for about 20 years.

I have recently been reading about metal engraving and am interested in giving it a try. I think my drawing skills in general and experience in drawing leaf scrolls will help me get started. I'm sure the cutting technique will take a lot of practice and study to master. I'm a little worried that it could cause problems with carpal tunnel.

I'll be reading and watching.

Thanks,

Mike H.

[Steve Lindsay]

Welcome Mike

[SEngraver]

Hi Inkart,
to the Engraving Forum.
Your drawing skills are useful and a part of engraving,so,no problem there.
You can start as soon as you can use gravers,learn the different geometries of gravers and the different types of engraving and sharpening gravers.
Thats it.
This link will be useful ;

http://www.engravingschool.com/

When you wish to aquire tools ;

http://www.airgraver.com/Hand_Engraving_Tools_Overview.htm

Up to that point advise and support is always available on this magnificent forum from the patrons.
Good Luck.
SE

[inkart]

I have ordered a book titled Art of Engraving: A Book of Instructions, which will arrive in a few days. I also subscribed to a video series called Engraving University from smartflix.com. I'm going to learn what I can from these while having my carpal tunnel fixed. Once that's fixed, I will get some tools and start with hands-on practicing.

Thanks for your advice.

Mike H.

[Steve Lindsay]

Mike, How far are you from Festus, MO? That is where Ray Cover is located. Ray teaches engraving. http://engravingclasses.com/Ray_Cove..._Engraving.htm


Jim Downing is in MO too. Springfield, MO
http://engravingclasses.com/Jim_Down...20Engraver.htm



______________

[inkart]

Yes, I found those guys here on the website and in a book from the library, and I have Ray Cover's web site bookmarked. Thanks for pointing them out, though. Ray is only about 25 miles from me. Once I get far enough along to be sure I want to seriously pursue metal engraving, I will see if I can get into one of his classes.

I'm 58, so I'm wondering if it may be too late for me to take this on.

Here is a video of how I work on scratchboard:
http://www.inkart.com/video/Tutorial...mber_Boch.html

I think there are some similarities, however, there are some huge differences, too.

THANKS AGAIN,

MIKE H.

[Roger Henrichs]

Mike
Engraving has no age limits.....It is mater of whether you want to devote the time it takes to learn how to engrave and the money to invest in good equipment to become a good engraver.....all it takes is practice and then when you think that you're done with that.....practice some more.

Roger

[Zippy]

Hi Mike, my name is Paul,or zippy, to this site. I am also 58 and have intense illustration background from Washington University in St Louis, I grew up in Creve Couer, for got spelling been so long, but any way if you have problems digging get into bulino, with your illustration background you will excel at this, I like black background as you can see in my album, good luck