Critique Request My first post

[thejeweler]

So I am beginning my journey as an engraver. I have scratched 3 or 4 odd small pieces to get a feel of the tools but this is my first "official " practice plate. It is a 3 inch square cold rolled.

It is my design and I know it is target rich for improvements, as well as my execution.
Like a recent post points out, please CRITIQUE. I am fortunate to have friends and family to tell me I did a good job. I need now the guidance from this forum to begin to grow.

Thanks to all for everything I've learned here so far.

 

[sam]

Welcome to the Cafe

I would say that based on the borders you can cut relatively well. That's good! As for your design, it much too complex for where you are at this time in your engraving career. I would suggest learning and mastering very simple scrollwork and gradually explore more complex designs as you get proficient.

Congrats on your first official practice plate :clapping:

 

[thejeweler]

Thank you Sam. I learned a lot doing this. Mainly some things to work on, so back to the basics.

 

[Eric Olson]

Make sure your main scrolls (the backbones) go all the way to the edge of your allotted space. As it is your design is kind of floating, and some areas that should be background are way too big. 3 inches is a big space to fill - maybe start smaller.

If I have the time, I like to "sleep on" a design and engrave it the next day after I draw it.
It seems to be emotionally easier make corrections and, if necessary, start from scratch.

Don't engrave a design you're not completely happy with - cutting it won't make it look any better.

 

[JJ Roberts]

thejeweler,I recommend Ron Smith's book Advanced Drawing of Scrolls,you can get it from GRS. J.J.

 

[monk]

welcome aboard ! what they said, plus laying out a border such as you have here, you'll get better results doing a light scribe with a small set of dividers. a good, small pair of dividers should be in yer drawing kit. go to google images. print out a large scroll, plain with nothing on it. use it as a study guide. force yourself to do scroll spines as perfect as you can make them. generally, lumps, bumps, and flats in such are the result of poor drawing, not poor cutting. best of luck in your pursuits of this art.