Baygraver
Member
Hello all,
I’ve taken a particular interest in engraved calligraphy. I’d like to raise a point that I haven’t seen expressed.
I’ve carefully studied the directions for cuts of letters (slanted script) in Meek’s and others’ books. Certainly, this can be helpful but IMHO, I think those instructions are for push and hammer/chisel engraving and not entirely applicable to the pneumatic tools we have the pleasure of using. For one thing, we can make more “sweeping†cuts, not being limited to the shorter incisions that a burin, etc., requires.
I’m blessed by having my studio in a silversmith/restoration shop and have had the opportunity to closely study a lot of engraved items that come through there. Examined carefully with a loop, the “older stuff†can be very impressive and a lot of it can only be done with a push tool.
What I’m saying is that some engraving can be better done or at least given a different look with a pneumatic tool.
Perhaps someone will soon write a book about the possibilities created by our newer tools. Included might be diagrams of slanted script letters with little arrows sometimes pointed in different directions (or fewer arrows) from what we’re accustomed to seeing in the older books.
On the other hand, I might be totally off base here, showing inadequate respect for the traditions of engraving.
Regards, Jim Slaughter
I’ve taken a particular interest in engraved calligraphy. I’d like to raise a point that I haven’t seen expressed.
I’ve carefully studied the directions for cuts of letters (slanted script) in Meek’s and others’ books. Certainly, this can be helpful but IMHO, I think those instructions are for push and hammer/chisel engraving and not entirely applicable to the pneumatic tools we have the pleasure of using. For one thing, we can make more “sweeping†cuts, not being limited to the shorter incisions that a burin, etc., requires.
I’m blessed by having my studio in a silversmith/restoration shop and have had the opportunity to closely study a lot of engraved items that come through there. Examined carefully with a loop, the “older stuff†can be very impressive and a lot of it can only be done with a push tool.
What I’m saying is that some engraving can be better done or at least given a different look with a pneumatic tool.
Perhaps someone will soon write a book about the possibilities created by our newer tools. Included might be diagrams of slanted script letters with little arrows sometimes pointed in different directions (or fewer arrows) from what we’re accustomed to seeing in the older books.
On the other hand, I might be totally off base here, showing inadequate respect for the traditions of engraving.
Regards, Jim Slaughter