Critique Request Work in progress

[Borzzza]

Struggling to get the shading right...
Design inspired by Sam Alfano))

I am a total newbie, took a beginners engraving class at GRS in St.Petersbourg in February 2018, but only bought my Gravermach and had it delivered to my country in April, started to engrave in May, 2018.
Last week I took another class in St.Petersbourg for deep relief engraving, so dropped this practice plate unfinished, now looking again at it - and I have a feeling I should make some changes/improvement in shading...

Please give your critique/tips/advise, I’m not asking for a pat in the back (my hubby is quite well in it...)

 

[Stefan]

The ideas and pictures of Sam Alfano are very interesting. But try to look for your ideas. Did you study in St. Petersburg with Brama Ramona and Manayenko? It is better to buy books with ornaments from Sam Alfano and take drawings from there. Good luck to you. Not bad for a start.

 

[Borzzza]

The drawings and ideas of Sam Alfano are very good. But try to find your ideas. Did you learn from Sergey Manayenko or Brahma Ramona in St. Petersburg? I wish you success. And it is better to get a book with ornaments and drawings of Sam Alfano. there are lots of ideas.

Thank you! Sam Alfano’s book is on my Christmas gifts wish list)))

It was Sergey’s class, intensive and informative, and I loved to have him as a teacher, very nice person. (Some pics from our class attached)

 

[Stefan]

Visible school Manaenko! These are his training tasks.
And what about deep and relief engraving with modeling? The first steps are made! Tepps do not reduce!

 

[monk]

the shading is done to create highlights, shadow, and to create the illusion of depth where none exists. check the work of didyoung. he's a master at this. don't try to copy his work, rather practice shading the way he does it. using a pencil †o ceate shading is a good way to appreciate the effects. simple then to recreate the effect on the metal.

 

[Borzzza]

the shading is done to create highlights, shadow, ... using a pencil †o ceate shading is a good way to appreciate the effects. simple then to recreate the effect on the metal.

More I think of it more I’m sirprised why it didn’t come to me before, such an obvious idea... Thank you! I’ll go back to my studies))

 

[monk]

for me, the obvious is the very last thing i try. it's something in the water i think.
btw: after drawing, check them with a mirror. sometimes a bad spot will show more easily that way.

 

[Borzzza]

for me, the obvious is the very last thing i try. it's something in the water i think.
btw: after drawing, check them with a mirror. sometimes a bad spot will show more easily that way.

Good to know I’m not the only one!))))
I take pics through the microscope and look at them next day with fresh eye, mirror is a nice idea!