horizontal lines is dark and vertical lines are lighter as you demonstrated.you must decide on a viewing angle and plan for that.that is how i understand it i might be wrong.
Yes, a very informative thread, indeed! I love detailed engraving work, especially when it comes to animals. I would love to explore it further and apply it to more fantasy-style creations of my own design. I've only cut one small bulino-ish piece in nickel silver, and it was quite rough IMO, lol. Now to search for that coveted "time" and apply it to my bench...
Just a penny and a half thought...it all is based on the ability to draw, even on the small scale of the object at hand so practice, practice, and practice again. What I DON"T understand is how to take a superb photo and make IT look like an engraving (hehehe).
>Just a penny and a half thought...it all is based on the ability to draw.....................................
And drawing is a learned skill. I didn't learn to draw until I was almost 30. It was like being blind and learning to see for the first time. I sure wish I'd met the right art teacher 20 years earlier. I also wish he's been an engraver as it motivates me more than drawing.
I'll never be a master but that's beside the point. Art is good for the soul.
I have done several animal pictures using the bulino techniques (lines and shading principles) and on this particular one I posted several months ago it is one of a Russian Wolfhound. I used both lines and dots, similar to what I do when I do scrimshaw on ivory. I draw the picture bigger (Andrew I am like you, I can't draw a very small picture) and then trace over only the very important lines (hair growth direction, eyes and nose, ear placement) I do not draw every line because when you reduce it to engraving size all you will have is a blur of dark lines. I scan the drawing and using the computer to reverse the image I make a laser print to the desired size, transfer and begin with the eyes, nose and mouth. then I put the main hair lines in to establish the hair growth. I do work under a microscope since I now have "old age eyes". I still consider myself in the learning phase but really everytime you engrave it is a learning process, you will never learn it all.
My advice to anyone wanting to try this is to find a subject matter that you like, (meaning don't start on a picture of something you wouldn't like to keep yourself) set yourself up for success (don't start on a day where everything is going wrong for you or you are under a deadline) put some music on if you enjoy engraving with the background sounds and just enjoy the process. It gets easier everytime you try it. The first try will not be perfect but hang on to it then many years later when you are having "one of those days" take out that first piece take a good look at it and you will realize that you are doing o.k. because like anything else, you will get better every time you attempt a project. Enjoy!
SamW
Photoetching is one answer to a photo quality transfer.
Many an engraver and painter has used a 35mm negative projected onto a steel or canvas canvas to outline the subject. Projecting in one case for larger paintings and reverse projecting for small engraving subjects. Even Jim Meeks and Frank Hendricks used a projector/enlarger for some of their work. Project the image onto the steel or canvas and scribe in your outline. This is along the same line as today's transfers.
There are numerous ways to get that cat skinned.
Man what beautiful work is shown on this forum. The talent that our members have is mind blowing. To top that off they are willing to share it with anyone that cares to ask, amazing!
Thank you Sam for creating this knowledge sharing forum and thanks to all that post to it. I may never be able to engrave to these levels but it will not be due to not having the knowledge to do so. I think I am just going to start telling folks that my engraving hand got run over by a truck and that this will be the best I will ever be able to do. Ha Ha!