Beginner Basic Graver Control - Penny Piece

[Crossbolt]

I'm a beginner and like many beginners I need to improve my depth of cut control making it, as a rule, much shallower.
I recently had an idea for forcing myself to do this. I took a modern zinc core penny and, using a typical square graver, cut away all the plating except on any relief items (Lincoln's profile and lettering). I found this to be a useful little exercise. It's obviously nothing artistic but I thought I'd put it out here in case others might find it a useful skill builder. The material is certainly cheap and currently plentiful.

 

[Memorymaker]

Great Idea

 

[SamW]

Very Good! Now try a little scraping to smooth the background.

 

[monk]

a rather good idea for a newbie with control problems. it would also be a good precursor for those wishing to try hobos. the job you did here is really nice. you didn't impact the border too much. the profile didn't show any intrusions.

 

[Crossbolt]

Very Good! Now try a little scraping to smooth the background.

Yes it occurred to me that the next thing would be to practice background texture. The zinc seems feasible to work and may be worthwhile as practice.

 

[SamW]

The scraping will show you the variations in depth of cutting as well as prepare the surface for texture/scroll etc.