Working on my engraving skills

[Goo]

I attended Mike Lea's engraving class at the log cabin shop last year and this year here are some results!   Rather than copy an existing design I have studied and attempted to organize design elements .   The design is pieces of rococo design elements.   There is no shading as I have yet to grasp a better understanding.    For this side plate I intended to work on composition and lines.   The designs were hand drawn on the side plate, no transfer methods were used. I cut the lines with push Gravers and engraving ball. All opinions & comments welcome.

[Mike Brooks]

You need to blacken that so your work can be seen. This is just my opinion, but if you want to do KY rifle engraving you should stick with traditional design.
 The elements seem to be floating in space and you need a nick and dot border across the bottom. From what I can see, your technique of cutting is working well, pretty good  flowing curves and it appears you have good control.

[Goo]

Thanks Mike!  I will work on that do you think Nick and dot can go next to the existing border?

[Mike Brooks]

Nope, it will run through the existing engraving.

[jerrywh]

GOO.
   That is really good for a beginner at hand push engraving. The trouble with hand push on a long rifle is , it is too light. That is the way hand push is.  However it is great that you are learning hand push. You can develop into a real fine artist. Keep it up. Not many today can do it.

[Mike Brooks]

I missed the push graver part, not many can do that. Most original KY engraving was done with a hammer and chisel, shows lots of hammer hits in the work which gives it some charm.

[Goo]

Thanks Jerry

[smylee grouch]

Thanks for that info Jerry, I have an H. Holland double side by side in 13 Ga. I think that looks like it might have push engraving. Made in 1850 something.

[smart dog]

Hi,
Goo, you are doing very well.  Nice job.  I cannot remember where I heard this story so I cannot verify it.  In England the traditional firearm engraving was done by hammer and chisel from the 1600s - 1800s. It was deep and bold.  During the 1830s or so many of those engravers were drawn to copperplate engraving with hand pushed gravers used in the fast growing trade of lithography, which paid more.  As a result, gun engravers with hammer and chisel became hard to find and I am sure demanded more for their work.  The gun trade adapted by employing more hand engraver trained workers and changing their designs from deep bold engraving to lighter more precise scroll work, which became what we call "English scroll".

dave

[Goo]

Hi Dave thanks for the encouragement !   I've been doing some hammer and chisel work.    It's easy to cut really heavy lines with that method but it's hard to make light cuts, control etc which is why I am using push Gravers for some things.
My next goal is trying to bring the work to life, shading, relief,
composition, is pretty important.    I have come to understand just because you can cut lines does not make you a good engraver.    So.... I wish to be a good engraver and this is a start . 

[Acer Saccharum]

Your composition will benefit greatly from having bold and light cuts; bold cut with a hammer and chisel, and light, with push graving. Variety of line delights and intrigues the eye.

Composition of design takes precedent over cutting technique. Your design must work with the gun, with the hardware, with the time period. Time spent drawing is so important for an engraver. Over time, your hand and eye develop the sensibilities and skills needed to produce good engravings. This comes with time spent behind the pencil and engraver.