My first attempt at Sam’s shading video.

[R.Quecke]

So April was one year from the first time I touched a a graver to metal. I haven’t been able to take any classes, and have had only these forums and the internet to help. I got Sam Alfano’s shading video recently and here is my first attempt. All. Critiques welcomed. Thank you all for looking and I hope everyone is well. Hopefully this year I’ll be able to take a class or two. Now to start try the flare cutting.

One picture is just cuts with no black, and the other has been blackened.

 

[John B.]

I would say you are doing VERY well.
Congratulations.
Looking forward to seeing your flair cutting.

 

[thughes]

That looks great!

 

[dcurrie911]

I agree with John. Your graver control is very good. I’d even say exceptional for only a year. Just a few places where the spacing between shade lines are not consistent. How is your designing coming? Someone once told me, ‘mediocre cutting of an exceptional design is often more pleasing than exceptional cutting of a mediocre design.’

 

[R.Quecke]

I agree with John. Your graver control is very good. I’d even say exceptional for only a year. Just a few places where the spacing between shade lines are not consistent. How is your designing coming? Someone once told me, ‘mediocre cutting of an exceptional design is often more pleasing than exceptional cutting of a mediocre design.’

I’m still learning proper scroll work, but I’ve been a professional tattooer for 18 years now, and been drawing and painting my entire life. So, I’m pretty capable of most design. I really, really enjoy learning engraving, it’s quite hard, but i enjoy that. Feel free to check out my Instagrams. They tend to be more up to date.
Thank you for the compliment, I’m still learning.

 

[dcurrie911]

Interesting. I have often thought that tattooers would make good engravers and visa versa. I have never seen a tattoo shop with microscopes so I would be in trouble if I tried to make the switch. . keep up the good work.

Dan

 

[sam]

I would have never sold you my video if I knew your results would be THAT good!
Just kidding....really nice result you've got there! Congratulations!!!

 

[R.Quecke]

I would have never sold you my video if I knew your results would be THAT good!
Just kidding....really nice result you've got there! Congratulations!!!

Hahaha
I wanted to say thank you for doing the video and sharing some of your knowledge. I learned a lot! I appreciate you. It was fun and different to cut a piece with a solid reference. I just tried to copy i the best I could. The more I do this stuff the more I’m falling for it.

 

[R.Quecke]

Interesting. I have often thought that tattooers would make good engravers and visa versa. I have never seen a tattoo shop with microscopes so I would be in trouble if I tried to make the switch. . keep up the good work.

Dan

Honestly, I thought there would be more parallels then there are. It’s an entirely different animal. After having to deal with people for almost 2 decades, I’m loving how much metal doesn’t “talk”. Hahahaha
Thank you very much. I’m very excited to have been able to start this journey.

 

[sam]

Honestly, I thought there would be more parallels then there are. It’s an entirely different animal. After having to deal with people for almost 2 decades, I’m loving how much metal doesn’t “talk”. Hahahaha
Thank you very much. I’m very excited to have been able to start this journey.

Lookup Mark Dupp. He's a tattooist turned engraver who is really killing it. Fine fellow as well, and he's loving engraving as much as anyone I've ever seen.

 

[Patrick valade]

Very nice you have set the bar high , keep up the good work up . Looking forward to seeing more in the future.

 

[monk]

i'd say just about what they all said. good show, chap !

 

[jerrywh]

Gee. That looks pretty good.

 

[R.Quecke]

Lookup Mark Dupp. He's a tattooist turned engraver who is really killing it. Fine fellow as well, and he's loving engraving as much as anyone I've ever seen.

Will do! Thank you Sam!!!

 

[Goldjockey]

Late to the thread, but WOW! Really impressive results!!! JMHO, but truly, if you can translate what you've done here to your every day engraving work, you're seriously ready for prime time anytime you want to be!

Believe me... not a few of us are seriously jealous of your first time results. You've both set a high bar, and encouraged others to step up!

Well done!

 

[jim garrett]

Sam, how do I order your new shading video. Please send me a PM

 

[Si si]

Dam I’m jealous I’m in the same time of a year. Your work is awesome I checked you Instagram really good. I wish I wouldn’t of wasted all my time on making tools although I just didn’t have the $ I look forward to seeing your work

 

[R.Quecke]

Very nice you have set the bar high , keep up the good work up . Looking forward to seeing more in the future.

Thank you.

 

[R.Quecke]

i'd say just about what they all said. good show, chap !

Thank you, I appreciate you.

 

[R.Quecke]

Late to the thread, but WOW! Really impressive results!!! JMHO, but truly, if you can translate what you've done here to your every day engraving work, you're seriously ready for prime time anytime you want to be!

Believe me... not a few of us are seriously jealous of your first time results. You've both set a high bar, and encouraged others to step up!

Well done!

Thank you very much for the kind words. I am trying and working as much as I can at this. I work full time and can’t engrave after, so it tends to just be on my days off. If you’d like, my Instagram is fairly updated. Thank you again.