Practice Plate

[Dave Friedman]

Dear Engravers Cafe friends:

I have been studying and practicing for 1 1/2 years. I'm a beginner and a student.

Thank you for viewing and your comments.
Dave Friedman

 

[DanM]

Dear Engravers Cafe friends:

I have been studying and practicing for 1 1/2 years. I'm a beginner and a student.

Thank you for viewing and your comments.
Dave Friedman

Looks good,but why is it marked sterling?

 

[Dave Friedman]

Thank you.
The base metal is Sterling Silver.

 

[John B.]

Well done Dave and a pretty fair likeness of President Abe.
If I may suggest :-
The image of the face is the most important part and you have done well.
The shading on the coat could stand to be cut quite a little finer and lighter.
That way it does not compete so strongly with the face for attention.
Face and coat shading would both benefit from finer and lighter cutting.
That will come with more study and practice.
I'd advise cutting it again on the back of the silver or another piece and seeing improvement.
Well done, especially after only 18 months of engraving.
Lets see more from you, please.

 

[Dave Friedman]

Thank you very much John B.
I agree the cutting and shading of coat needs refinement and improvement.

Dave F.

 

[Goldjockey]

Sooo... if its a practice plate, will you be posting it for others to shade and compare? It's great for experienced engravers (not me, I'm just an old silversmith with no more experience than you have) to critique the work, but I wonder how more experienced expert engravers would shade the project, and what techniques the true pros would apply.

Dave, I'm completely impressed with your work, and I think most people would be, but if there's room for improvement at a professional level, I'd personally be absolutely appreciative of physical examples of how it could be made better from the pros on this forum!

 

[Dave Friedman]

Dear Goldjockey,

Thank you for your kind and supportive comments.
Upon completion and oxidation I realized the cutting and shading of Lincoln’s top coat is too heavy and shading needs refinement.....
All part of the “learning curve” and more practice.
I also am a silversmith, specializing antique restorations.
Dave

 

[98XL5]

Great job Dave!

 

[JohnC]

Good likeness, line drawings can allow fast work you can go nuts with shading. And when it suits you you may just do that. Your efforts are shaping up nicely.

 

[Dave Friedman]

Thank you....
I appreciate your comments.

Dave

 

[papart1]

Looks nice to me

 

[mdengraver]

It's funny I like everything about this engraving including the heavier cuts and shading!

 

[JohnC]

I may have previously posted this in the wrong place.

The squirrel and the hen turkey were done 2012 in Jesse Houser's class.
The two Rococo plates were done in 2019 in John Shippers class.

 

[Dave Friedman]

Great...

Thank you for sharing.....
Dave

 

[AllenClapp]

Where does John Schippers teach classes?

 

[horologist]

Where does John Schippers teach classes?

I took his class at Connor Prairie. My wife and I had a great time there.
Troy

 

[JohnC]

Conner Prairie is in Noblesville, Indiana (near Indianapolis, Indiana) Very worthwhile training from a fifty year veteran of the craft.

 

[Monica]

I really like what you have done with the hair.

 

[Dave Friedman]

Thank you Monica......

This was my first attempt at a portrait. I do like how Lincoln's hair and beard came out.

Dave
P.S. Used to live in L.A. See you on the 405.