My First Ever - Please help - Engraving Forum.com - The Internet's Largest and Fastest Growing Engraving Community

arda · #1 03-30-2011, 06:43 AM

Hi all,

This is my first ever engraving apart from practise on a plate.

I am aware that alot to be fix but if I can get suggestions on where to start and how I should do it next time would be much appreciated to better myself.

What I'm feeling frustrated with at the moment is shading. I just can not get it right. not sure where to start.

Thanks in advance

Regards,
Arda

chickenscratcher · #2 03-30-2011, 02:35 PM

Hay great start, but as you wish I'll say my piece. The scroll at the base of the blade although not finished with shading is Not perfect but OK. However the 1st scroll coming off it has a weak backbone (to thin and to light) at the attachment point. The balance of that scroll is strong but the final set of scrolls that look very good are coming off the #2 scoll from the wrong way. Try flippng the last set of scolls as a mirror image, change the attachment curve a little and see if that doesn't work better. As far as shadding goes me too !!!Hope that helps a little and if it didn't (isn't this the knitting forum?) chickenscratcher

JRon · #3 03-30-2011, 03:42 PM

I agree with chickenscratcher's comments. I believe it would be a best approach for you to layout and engrave the pattern you intend to use on a plate befor attempting the actual subject piece. You can alter, fine tune the pattern and then transfer it the the subject piece. One question, did you allow for the knife bolster?

arda · #4 03-30-2011, 05:03 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Yes, doing it on a piece of plate is the ideal way and I did try it on a piece of metal but to me it does not feel the same when I have the piece of a knife shaped metal. this is not the actual expensive knife material I am using.

regarding to bolster, I do not use bolster - the handle material will go far just before the engraving start.

At the moment - I kind of bite the bullet attitude to get me started.

thanks again to chickensratcher and JRon for the input. This certainly help me to plan next time. If there is any other suggestions, they will be much appreciated

JRon · #5 04-10-2011, 10:41 PM

Seeing how you are bitting the bullet, try doing your art twice size, it is sometimes a lot easier on you to do a larger piece of art and reduce it to final size. This enables you to use some grid paper and french curves which should help you get a more flowing scroll._JR