dave198700
Member
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2025
- Messages
- 12
It looks easy but is a hard learning curve. Hats off to you experienced guys
First ever scroll
- Thread starter dave198700
- Start date
About 10,000 hours to journeyman status, at this stage in your process the pencil and eraser is mightier than the gravers.
If you can afford it purchase some of the material that Sam Alfano has put out, it will measurably reduce the learning curve for you, if not search this forum, and look at the work displayed, especially the posts looking for critique, it may seem to be counter productive to spend so much time on the web, but it does pay off.
Also you might try practicing on copper as it is a bit more forgiving and cheaper than silver.
Hats off to ya, it is a journey for sure.
If you can afford it purchase some of the material that Sam Alfano has put out, it will measurably reduce the learning curve for you, if not search this forum, and look at the work displayed, especially the posts looking for critique, it may seem to be counter productive to spend so much time on the web, but it does pay off.
Also you might try practicing on copper as it is a bit more forgiving and cheaper than silver.
Hats off to ya, it is a journey for sure.
I also spend a fair bit of time looking at engraved guns on some of the auction sites. A lot of them have great detailed pictures. Execution is another matter entirely. Lots to learn and figure out. Would love to go to one of the GRS sessions. Probably have to unlearn bad habits I now have.
Dave, Try to find an engraver for help. J.J.
tg3 was right. practice drawing scroll "spines". the very foundation that one aims for. as your spines get better, then practice adding simple internal details. baby steps to be mastered before a marathon!! best of luck to you
tdelewis
Elite Cafe Member
First scribe some straight lines and practice cutting them. Don't be so heavy handed. Try to keep your cuts light and constant depth. In the meantime, get one of Sam's beginning videos. They can be downloaded. There are some YouTube videos you can watch but they are not that informative, just more entertaining.
Leland Davis
Elite Cafe Member
We all want to start cutting and it is important but drawing is just as important or more so. It took monk and JJ and countless others on the cafe to get it through my skull. I'm glad I finally listened.
When I was a young boy we got your first TV Jon Gnagy was the first artist on TV that's how I became interested in drawing and painting also received help from artist Eric Slone. J.J.
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tdelewis
Elite Cafe Member
Eric Slone, His books are great and give good insight into Americana. Love his work!
shinymachine
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2024
- Messages
- 2
I just finished up a week long beginners class with Sam Alfano at the GRS shop in Emporia, Kansas. It wasn't cheap, but I can tell you this is the absolute best money, I have spent (with the greatest return) since I started learning to engrave.
I spent about a year watching videos, lurking on forums like this, and trying to teach myself engraving, then finally took Sam's class. My skills progressed more in just this past week than all 52 weeks of teaching myself put together.
Everyone learns differently, but for me, having someone show me, in person, how to sharpen my tools, & how to cut a straight line of even depth was what it took to actually prepare for the long journey ahead of me.
-Now I know what I don't know, so I know what I need to learn. That is the first actual step in learning something.
As a fellow beginner, my advice is: Don't get ahead of yourself. Jumping into cutting scrolls is tempting, but won't get you where you want to be. Buy Sam's beginners engraving DVD, and practice exactly what he shows you, especially the boring parts, like proper sharpening, then cutting straight lines. Do each lesson in order, and repeat each lesson until you can do it neatly before moving forward.
--Even better: If you can find a master engraver willing to give you lessons, or if you can go to GRS for a class, do it. I wish I would have started there instead of wasting a year trying to teach myself.
I spent about a year watching videos, lurking on forums like this, and trying to teach myself engraving, then finally took Sam's class. My skills progressed more in just this past week than all 52 weeks of teaching myself put together.
Everyone learns differently, but for me, having someone show me, in person, how to sharpen my tools, & how to cut a straight line of even depth was what it took to actually prepare for the long journey ahead of me.
-Now I know what I don't know, so I know what I need to learn. That is the first actual step in learning something.
As a fellow beginner, my advice is: Don't get ahead of yourself. Jumping into cutting scrolls is tempting, but won't get you where you want to be. Buy Sam's beginners engraving DVD, and practice exactly what he shows you, especially the boring parts, like proper sharpening, then cutting straight lines. Do each lesson in order, and repeat each lesson until you can do it neatly before moving forward.
--Even better: If you can find a master engraver willing to give you lessons, or if you can go to GRS for a class, do it. I wish I would have started there instead of wasting a year trying to teach myself.
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