June 30th Grandmasters 2008 deadline approaching

[sam]

Just a reminder that the application deadline for Grandmasters '08 with Alain Lovenberg and Philippe Grifnée is June 30th. This is an opportunity to study with two of the world's greatest engravers.

GrandmastersProgram.com for more info.

 

[Alain Lovenberg]

Just a reminder that the application deadline for Grandmasters '08 with Alain Lovenberg and Philippe Grifnée is June 30th. This is an opportunity to study with two of the world's greatest engravers.

GrandmastersProgram.com for more info.

I am precisely writing a small handbook illustrated by examples of engraving for the class which I will give this autumn. I point out that the subject of this course will be the traditional line engraving with the graver ( or bulino , burin) such as I practice it. It is an alternative to the dots engraving ( puntili or stipple engraving ) so often used currently. The process by dots undoubtedly allows the photographic imitation but it is very slow while the technique of line engraving, more direct, approaches the drawing and is completely appropriate to the cutting tool which is the graver. The tool used is very simple but the manner of using it is complex. It is the technique known as of the “burin rangéâ€￾ elaborated and sophisticated during centuries by the old Masters, that which is used for art prints but also banknotes! Here two examples of what it is possible to carry out by this means:

 

[Weldon47]

WOW, Alain!!
Makes me regret not being able to attend this year!

Weldon

 

[Alain Lovenberg]

The first example is a detail of " Les Quatre Cavaliers" after Leonardo da Vinci, engraved by Gérard Edelinck (1649-1707), a Belgian engraver and the second is a detail of "Merlin and Vivien Repose" of Gustave Doré, a French illustrator (1832-1883), for the Tennyson's book " Idylls of the King"

 

[Alain Lovenberg]

Some details of the Napoleon gun showing the line engraving technique which I used for the battle scenes.

 

[Andrew Biggs]

Hi alain

That is amazing work with the most astonishing detail

how big would the horse and rider be?

Cheers
Andrew

 

[vilts]

Now that's a class where I'd love to be...

But knowing my current engraving level, I'll be accepted maybe in 5 years.

Viljo

 

[Alain Lovenberg]

Hi alain

That is amazing work with the most astonishing detail

how big would the horse and rider be?

Cheers
Andrew

The real size of the engraving would be around 2,5 cm high, I think.
I forgot to mention that it was engraved with a simple traditional tool. There was not yet elaborated new tools like your wonderful Excagraver on the market at the time

 

[Ken Hurst]

Alain, would you sell those booklets to those of us who are unable to travel ? Ken

 

[Alain Lovenberg]

Now that's a class where I'd love to be...

But knowing my current engraving level, I'll be accepted maybe in 5 years.

Viljo

Viljo,
I don't know your engraving level but it is certain that it will not be a basic engraving class.
Don't be afraid however, I'll teach the technique and I don't expect the same results as these examples!
This level of engraving will come with time and practice.

 

[sam]

Alain: Will you bring your fiddle to Grandmasters this year?
~Sam

 

[Alain Lovenberg]

Alain, would you sell those booklets to those of us who are unable to travel ? Ken

It is a good idea, I am going to think about it!

 

[Alain Lovenberg]

Alain: Will you bring your fiddle to Grandmasters this year?
~Sam

Hello Sam,
Will you be there with your banjo?
I have to say that I have hardly time to play the fiddle for the moment.
I would have to practice it before this autumn!

I hope to visit you soon in Antwerp during your week of engraving class.

Alain

 

[Frank P]

Mr Alain,
as I guess like the most of us, not possible or affordable to take a class, I m sure this booklet will definitely be a bestseller.. Thanks for taking more time to be among us finaly...
Bien a vous
Frank

 

[Ken Hurst]

Alain, make me your first non-attending student/buyer of the booklet (signed of course) Ken

 

[Ron Smith]

Alain, did I get you correctly? Are there not any dots in the examples that you showed us, only lines?
Ron S

 

[Alain Lovenberg]

Alain, did I get you correctly? Are there not any dots in the examples that you showed us, only lines?
Ron S

Ah Ah! You have good eyes Ron!
I had forgotten that I had placed dots and small short strokes in the clouds of smoke in the background.
I made this engraving 15 years ago and I am not certain that I would still do it in the same way today.
It is however necessary to notice that in the technique of the line engraving there are sometimes also dots and short lines mixed in the main cuts. Their use is quite simply not systematic.
Thank you for your judicious remark!

Alain

 

[Ron Smith]

It is beautiful and outstanding to say the least. I wasn't trying to pin you down, I was just curious, and my eyes weren't good enough to tell for sure, but the subtleness of the shading in some spots made me wonder, and photographs don't always reveal these things as they truly are.

Flawless work!

Thanks for showing it. I remember seeing it some years back. A maserpiece no doubt.

Ron S

 

[sam]

Alain: Yes, I will have my banjo at Grandmasters. I know you don't have much time for practice (me either!) but I hope you will bring your fiddle.

I will look forward to seeing you in Antwerpen! Maybe we can have dinner.

Cheers / ~Sam

 

[Alain Lovenberg]

It is beautiful and outstanding to say the least. I wasn't trying to pin you down, I was just curious, and my eyes weren't good enough to tell for sure, but the subtleness of the shading in some spots made me wonder, and photographs don't always reveal these things as they truly are.

Flawless work!

Thanks for showing it. I remember seeing it some years back. A maserpiece no doubt.

Ron S

Ron, your remark was indeed right and do not believe that it opposed me.
On the contrary, this kind of question allow to clarify and often to correct the things.
Alain