Critique Request More english scroll practice before engraving a gun

[Don H]

I thought long and hard about the advice and help I received the last post and decided the best course of action would be to back up and work on the fundamentals instead of trying for a finished product. I started by scaling back from the side of the receiver to the trigger guard as it involves a much smaller space. I started by drawing what I wanted to engrave until I was happy with that part and then practiced cutting tear drops until I could pop out the chip successfully every time and leave a smooth surface. I then began to engrave the pattern I want to put on the trigger guard. I know what I have still needs improvement but I would like to have your honest opinion to make sure I'm on the right track. I don't want to tell you how many times I've cut this pattern but will tell you I see English scrolls when I lay down at night and close my eyes! I guess that's a good sign as it must represent more practice! And Sam, no sand paper was injured during any of my practice sessions.

Thank you again for all your help. It would take much longer for me to get where I want to go without it. All the best, Don Hansen.

 

[monk]

not too bad. since you asked-- a couple of your spines come out at too steep an angle. reduce the angle, and the flow will look a bit better. learning to "pop" at the exact time may take a bit of practice, but saves some work cleaning up those nasty barbs. the angle i mentioned, in the 2nd foto, is the one growing to the right of the central scroll. a non engraver would likely never see this. it is just the fussbuttons lurking here that are tryin to give the best advice to those wanting to learn. keep on cutting !

 

[Bama]

Hi Don

I am studying small english scroll right now using the study guide that Marcus Hunt put out. I am not expert enough to provide a good critique but one of the things that I have picked up on that Marcus really stresses is the space that is left when laying out the scroll spines of the larger to smaller scrolls. These large spaces he fills in with a smaller scroll before he progresses into his inside work.

The space between your starter scroll and the scroll to the left of it is the area I am refering to. These two scrolls are OK as you have them drawn but the large space between them needs another small scroll before you start your inside work. This is common throughout your design for the larger spaces between your scrolls. I highly recommend Marcus Hunt's material if it is still available.

 

[Don H]

I guess I didn't go at this the right way. I previously posted the side view outline of an Ansley Fox I am rescuing. I'm almost done restocking it, the barrels need rust blued, and the frame and forend iron have been annealed and are waiting to be draw filed, polished and engraved. I posted the engraved side view practice plate I planned to use on the gun. I received many helpful comments and tried to address each helpful critic in an effective manner. I should have included the pictures from the previous post to make it easier for people to see if I'm advancing or making the same mistakes. I've found it to be very easy to look at my work but most difficult to see. And there is a huge difference. Without truly seeing it is impossible to improve. That's why I need your help.

Many thanks to those that have replied. I will incorporate your suggestions as I go forward in an effort to improve before working on the Fox. I may not have much talent, but I do have persistence and I've found that patience and talent always take a back seat to persistence. It just takes me longer to get there!

Again, thank you for your help. All the best, Don Hansen.