old looking horse buckle i just finished

[Jared Eason]

Still using rotary tool. Haven't got confidence in my graver technique in stainless yet. My client wanted this to look old , worn ,and to look like it was engraved way back when. This is what I came up with. Still got to put name on it and might do some touch ups ,

Thoughts... tips....just say whatever comes to mind..lol

 

[Doc Mark]

Jared. Although I am not a fan of rotary "engraving", I think you will transition well into graver manipulation without too much trouble. That being said, I don't know how you put your design on the buckle before cutting but something went seriously wrong with the two rear hooves! Look closely at them and project the rear legs through the "banner" and you will see that this poor pony couldn't even walk, much less run! One leg in particular in about 2 feet too long. Be careful of your initial layout before cutting. You will do well when you decide on a engraving system and have a chance to really practice.

 

[Jared Eason]

Ha.. the angle I took the pic made it look worse than it really is. I picked this pic of the horse off the web. Then laid the banner over it. I didn't notice at the time his legs were catiwampus . The banner is also a lil offset. This was intended per request of client, for why idk. I should have went with my gut and just drew the horse myself. Its what I get for not looking really close at every detail.

 

[Jared Eason]

O I have an Enset. Just still learning control.

 

[Jared Eason]

Here are a few others I have done with rotary tool. Really look forward to transitioning to a hand graver. Just cannot get the detail I want with rotary. All of these are completely stainless steel. They were fun to carve though.

 

[Jared Eason]

This is the pic I used. All I did was resize to fit. Put banner over it. When I cut it I just followed the lines. Not exactly sure what went wrong.....

 

[Red Green]

You didn't ask for a critique, but it is fairly obvious what went wrong.

Bob

 

[Jared Eason]

Bob , I did say . Say whatever comes to mind. So spit it out...lol...bet you going to say because I used rotary tool.

 

[Tira]

One minor point would be to put a pupil in the eye. It looks like a mannequin without eyes now. You have a lot of control with the rotary so your transition to the engraving world should be pretty smooth.

 

[Jared Eason]

Thanks tira . I put a pupil in another horse buckle I did. In my mind I guess I figured being that the client wanted an old worn somewhat primitive look that a pupil might be a bit much for the over all effect. I do agree with you though. Its not my favorite buckle and think I could have made the hours look more life-like , but if this is what the client wanted then that's what he's going to get.

 

[Jared Eason]

One goal was to make the stainless look like old silver... not easy

 

[Red Green]

Honestly, the tool you've misused here is the pencil. I don't know what attracted you to this drawing but you did not make it yours. As you had no connection with it you made prospective errors that were exaggerated in transfer and execution. You didn't notice because you didn't 'know' the work. The layout and/or the process you used is ill-conceived, how did you come to the overall design?


Bob

 

[Jared Eason]

The overall design was mainly the clients.. I more less just laid it out. Like I said I should have just drew it myself. .. I hear what your saying.. and it makes for a good point. The art was not mine so I botched it ..

 

[Jared Eason]

Keep in mind also. I have only used the rotary tool on metal maybe 9 months. And that's just off and on. I know I have soooo much to learn in every department. And up till I joined this forum i have been on my own.I take all criticism of my work as teaching. I would rather someone tell me what I'm doing wrong rather than let me keep making the same mistake. An that's why I like you Bob. You don't mind telling it like it is. And for that I'm greatful.

 

[Jared Eason]

Bob this is one I drew of s bull with no horns per clients request. I used a pic of a bull as reference, again not my best work. But the client was pleased.. it turns out looking like something from a coloring book in my opinion. I was going to scrap it but he wanted it.

 

[Jared Eason]

Now here is a few I did without rotary tool.

 

[bigransom]

The overall design was mainly the clients.. I more less just laid it out. Like I said I should have just drew it myself. .. I hear what your saying.. and it makes for a good point. The art was not mine so I botched it ..

The artwork is not yours, and in such, you should not have reproduced it in your own work without the authorization of the artist.

It's a fine point, but in learning to illustrate and engrave, producing and using your own artwork is not only the right thing to do, as Bob and others have noted, it's the only way to control perspectives, proportions, and design layout on the piece that you're designing.

Respect every other artists work because one day someone may take your artwork.

Just a friendly reminder. Keep up the good progress, Jason.
br.

 

[Jared Eason]

Thanks for that Jason . I made sure the pic I got came from a royalty free site. Or so it said. I cannot remember what site it came from though. I have turned a lot of work down because people bring me pics they want and did not get authorization to use. But yes drawing your own gives better translation when cutting it.

 

[Jared Eason]

Its funny. As I said in my new perspective post. How I no longer oooo and aaaa at things I once thought were great. I look back at some of my own work an am like . WTH was I thinking........ learning more about hand engraving really makes me not want to use my rotary tool on metal, and leave it for wood and background removal.

 

[John P. Anderson]

The non-rotary buckles are more appealing to my eye. The others need a bit of honing of your general illustration skills. It's not the rotary tool as much as the general illustration. Essentially we are trying to create a high quality illustration of light and shadow no matter if from pencil, pen and ink, scratchboard, etching or engraving. Many books on my shelves are there simply to study the illustrations. In the late 1800's and early 1900's magazine and book illustration was at it's peak. Much of Fredrick Remington's work were illustrations for his writings. Personally I'm a big fan of C. M. Russells rugged pen and ink style.

Great work and great enthusiasm. Your learning from each one and moving forward. Keep it up.

John