Author Topic: Opinions on engraving idea sought (Read 2561 times)

Scota4570 · « **on:** August 17, 2018, 01:59:29 AM »

I am planning the engraving on a domed patch box. I am OK with the flower I already did. The lid need something. I have also included two photos of the carving to give a flavor of the rifle in general. Is my mock up idea too busy? Look generally good?

G_T · « **Reply #1 on:** August 17, 2018, 02:20:24 AM »

I'm very early on the process of learning engraving, so take anything I say with a large grain of salt. More years of practice are needed...

The sketchup you provided is pleasing - at least I find it so! But if you choose to engrave it, I'd alter it a bit first.

Some of the backbone scrolls are not as smooth as they could be. Most obvious is the left-most large scroll, where from 8 o'clock to 12 o'clock the line is too close to the center of the scroll. It should extend out a little farther, to produce a smoother expanding spiral.

Also, sketch in a casual overall outline of the engraved area, as if it were a string stretched over the outside of the pattern. It could be perspective and cameras certainly can lie, but the overall pattern looks bent rather than symmetric, appearing high in the middle.

Anyway a slight bit of touch up here and there can clean it up a bit. But as I said, I like the general pattern!

Now I may be off on this - I certainly haven't studied enough originals! - but I like to see a continuity of style between the carving and the engraving. But I do know that a lot of originals had different skill/difficulty level work for carving and engraving. I'm not sure of the artistic continuity of this scroll pattern with the rest of the rifle.

I apologize for being way too critical - and possibly flat out wrong. If I had that pattern engraved on any rifle of mine, I'd be pleased!

Gerald

smylee grouch · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2018, 02:55:06 AM »

I like your carving and your engraving design on the lid but the carving design has large elements of design while your engraving design looks to me to have too small of elements to be in balance. Nice looking rifle BTW.

P.Bigham · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2018, 03:00:18 AM »

Enlarge and simplify the engraving to match carving.

okieboy · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2018, 03:09:57 AM »

I would suggest studying some Jacob Dickert patch-boxes.

Scota4570 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2018, 03:44:37 AM »

The Dickert boxes I have pictures of are plain.

The top part of of my box is similar to a Haines box. The lid of that Haines box is also blank in the middle and has engraving on the ends. I may go with copying that box. To me it seems like the space in the middle of the lid need something. I guess I want to be a bit different.

He is a simplified version:

Mark Elliott · « **Reply #6 on:** August 17, 2018, 03:47:08 AM »

I would be thrilled with the the carving and engraving that you have already done. However, I would keep the engraving on the patchbox lid simple to match the carving. Perhaps some border work on the lid might might be more appropriate than the very nice scroll work you have drawn on it. All that said, this is your rifle and your artistic expression. You should do whatever you want to do as long as you can properly execute it. My big problem is that I frequently try to execute a design that is beyond my ability. That doesn't seem to be your problem.

Scota4570 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 17, 2018, 03:50:55 AM »

We crossed in the mail Mark. Very kind words, thank you. This is my third decorated rifle. I have decades of learning to do. Maybe some day I can keep up with the artists here.

Blacksmoke · « **Reply #8 on:** August 17, 2018, 02:26:20 PM »

Scotia: I would agree with Mark - your carving has "simple elegance" - your patchbox engraving should be similar. Remember your final outcome will only be as good as your layout. Practice your engraving many times before cutting the final patchbox. Hugh Toenjes PS Good looking gun so far!

Metalshaper · « **Reply #9 on:** August 17, 2018, 05:12:12 PM »

A simple border line(s) down each side? and a simplified scroll in the middle.. That's what I'm seeing in my head.

Respect Always
Metalshaper/Jonathan

Acer Saccharum · « **Reply #10 on:** August 17, 2018, 05:54:18 PM »

Keep it in context with the finial, not too fancy, but a nice amount of folkey.

Hungry Horse · « **Reply #11 on:** August 17, 2018, 06:01:14 PM »

A word of warning, Dickert is often used as an example of a prolific maker, that exhibited marginal engraving skills. I wouldn’t have a problem with Dickert style engraving on a Dickert replica, but wouldn’t put it on a gun that wasn’t modeled after his work.

Hungry Horse

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #12 on:** August 17, 2018, 07:08:13 PM »

I concur with others comments. I would start with some border work, especially along the parallel edges of the lid. Then the engraving design may come out of that. Your design, though pleasing, appears to me to have no origin...it simply lays on the dome like an island.

Scota4570 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 18, 2018, 01:33:38 AM »

When in doubt "borrow" from others. A Mix of Isaac Haines and John Weson. You all are right, it does look better. IF I get twitchy I an add a nick and dot border later.

The carving is standard issue Jim Kibler practice kit but simplified.

smylee grouch · « **Reply #14 on:** August 18, 2018, 02:19:53 AM »

I like this one better .

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #15 on:** August 18, 2018, 03:10:47 AM »

Get a copy of John Schipper's engraving book. It will give you all the inspiration you need to create patterns that flow.

Scota4570 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 18, 2018, 03:37:13 AM »

Quote from: D. Taylor Sapergia on August 18, 2018, 03:10:47 AM

Get a copy of John Schipper's engraving book. It will give you all the inspiration you need to create patterns that flow.

That is where I got it, p. 166. I also found a very similar original in Rifles in Colonial America, p. 331.

The deed is done! My border skills are not sufficient to outline the side plates. I'll do it later.

Ed Wenger · « **Reply #17 on:** August 18, 2018, 12:55:22 PM »

I think the pattern you cut “fits” the gun much better than what you had initially drawn. Looks pretty good! You might want to think about adding some simple shading to the elements, they’re pretty big, and would fill some of that big space. Good job!

Ed

Blacksmoke · « **Reply #18 on:** August 20, 2018, 01:02:30 AM »

Much better than your first drawing! Hugh Toenjes

Jim Kibler · « **Reply #19 on:** August 20, 2018, 06:40:42 PM »

Your rifle looks really nice. The box fits very nice. I was hoping you would opt for a simpler engraving design. The stock finish looks nice and I like your slight patina on the hardware. Great job!

Jim

flinchrocket · « **Reply #20 on:** August 21, 2018, 01:03:55 AM »

Is this one of Jim's colonial kits?

PPatch · « **Reply #21 on:** August 21, 2018, 01:27:39 AM »

Nice looking firearm overall, good job. Your patchbox engraving fits the style and execution often seen on originals.

dave

Scota4570 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 21, 2018, 05:23:37 AM »

Quote from: flinchrocket on August 21, 2018, 01:03:55 AM

Is this one of Jim's colonial kits?

Yes.

flinchrocket · « **Reply #23 on:** August 21, 2018, 07:43:37 PM »

That came out real nice. Good job

Kingsburyarms · « **Reply #24 on:** August 22, 2018, 01:13:53 AM »

Looks great - Fantastic job on the patch box inlet and the engraving.

Jon

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Author Topic: Opinions on engraving idea sought (Read 2561 times)