Shaded flower exercise

[KCSteve]

Nice work Vilts!

Comparing the two pieces side by side is interesting.

You got very close to Sam's shading on a couple of the petals but I see what you mean about the middle grays on others. I don't think I'm good enough yet to justify an attempt, but after my class next week...

 

[vilts]

Thanks!

I believe the couple of good petals you mean are the last ones I did. Actually I did the first 8 of them 'my way' and then just stared at Sam's work and wondered why mine don't look that good. So I guess I learned something.

I bet that you will have a blast at that class. Enjoy, take maximum out of it and 'bother' the teacher as much as you can .

Nice work Vilts!

Comparing the two pieces side by side is interesting.

You got very close to Sam's shading on a couple of the petals but I see what you mean about the middle grays on others. I don't think I'm good enough yet to justify an attempt, but after my class next week...

 

[Tomyboy]

great work!

shading is a mystery to me if i figure it out id be the only one doing it in my field i hope i can figure it out quick before somebody else does lol

 

[Daniel Houwer]

Vilts, you are a natural born engraver!
I'm a maybe wannaby

 

[maryw]

GREAT JOB, VILTS!!! BEAUTIFUL!
mary w

 

[Tim Wells]

Vilts,
That is perfect! Note that Sam did his on a steel plate as opposed to yours on a brass plate. If you did it on steel I bet money the gray tones would jump out at you more vividly. They're there but the brass helps diminish its effect I think.

Speaking of "free lesson" it would be interesting to see what one done on steel would look like compared to the brass version right next to it in a photo. Bet we'd all learn something from you.

Now this is a great opportunity to have free lesson, why should I pass it? Here's my try to shade the beautiful flower Sam made. The shape is bit off due to my drawing, not engraving.

I must say that this was really useful shading exercise, thank you Sam for that

But as you can see I still struggle to create those middle grays, its all too black-and-white. I think it's coming, but slowly.

 

[sam]

Vilts: Quite honestly, at first glance I thought it was my engraving. In my 9 years of teaching, shading seems to be the most challenging and difficult for students, and you really nailed it on this piece.

When I see lines cut with precision such this, it shows me that you are mastering control of your gravers. This is one of the two ingredients in best quality shading. The other is to develop instincts on how to handle various shapes to achieve the illusion of 3D. You are well on your way, my friend. / ~Sam

 

[vilts]

Thank you Sam, hearing those words from you is really encouraging and makes my ears go crimson!

I think this result is what you get when you have great teachers and too much free time on your hands

Vilts: Quite honestly, at first glance I thought it was my engraving. In my 9 years of teaching, shading seems to be the most challenging and difficult for students, and you really nailed it on this piece.

When I see lines cut with precision such this, it shows me that you are mastering control of your gravers. This is one of the two ingredients in best quality shading. The other is to develop instincts on how to handle various shapes to achieve the illusion of 3D. You are well on your way, my friend. / ~Sam

 

[KCSteve]

We did this plate in our class today. Mine's not nearly as good as Vilt's or Sam's, but I'll show it anyway:

Having lots of fun and definitely getting my money's worth. While it might look like I've only been doing the same stuff I've been doing for the last three months, the difference is that now I'm doing it right. And tomorrow we start on stuff I haven't been able to even get started on by myself.

 

[vilts]

Steve, I think you're coming along nicely! Shading does need much patience and practice and now I get a prize for saying that for 1000th time.

Keep us posted on your progress in the class, it'd be nice to see how it goes. I had just tremendous boost in skills taking the Basic Class with Sam. I Bet it'll be the same for you.

Who is your teacher?

 

[Bama]

Great work

Very nice work Vilts & Steve. I really envey the shading capabilities of you all. I am really struggling with shading but I intend to keep at it until I get the touch for it. Thanks for showing your examples.

 

[KCSteve]

Thanks Guys!

Marty Rabeno (Fancyguns) is our teacher. Today we got to lettering which is not my strong point. By the end of the day I was finally getting my flat graver under control. Practice, Practice, Practice.

 

[leschowe]

I recently completed this rendition of Sam's Flower. I thought that I was doing
ok until I compared my completed work to Sams. (You really appreciate the
talent of a Master Engraver when you try to copy his work). I just did not
capture the 3 dimensional effect and I still can't figure exactly what I am
doing wrong. I think that I started the shadow lines to heavy but that is not
the only problem.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Sam, did you use some stippling in the center
circle or is that done entirely by shading lines --can't tell from the picture?

I have only been engraving since June when I took the GRS Basic class, so I have
quite a bit to learn.

Les Schowe