the overwhelming tendency today seems to be "cover every possible square milimeter of surface with something" i dont agree with this theory. the engravings you see are all beautiful without question, but i think way "over done" i believe your design suffers from slightly underdone and the nervous hand of the unpracticed beginner. only practice will cure this. your mind has taken you in the right direction, practice will soon get you in the right place. as to placing too much design in a given space- look in the forum for a posting by tira mitchell. she shows a floor plate and grip cap she did for a rifle. both are a balance of maybe 50% desaign, 50% background. her design here is not at all complex. compared to much of the design seen on the forum, one might say it's rather simple in nature. but guess what, if i were charged with awarding the blue ribbon for best engraving shown on the forum- of all that i've seen, her floor plate and grip cap would get it ! i have probably created several enemies by saying this, but shoot me for how i feel . keep drawing, and keep cutting !