Andrew Biggs
Moderator
This post is aimed more at the beginners and people starting out engraving and looking for some direction.
We all know about tools, sharpening, heel angles, transferring, drawing, cutting, techniques etc. etc. These are all the technical bits and pieces we have to know to become competent in the engraving arts. They are only achieved by honing your observation skills and practice, practice, practice. They are all extremely important.
On the forums we sometimes get preoccupied with all of the technical stuff and who is using what, where and how.
But what about the more artistic side of things that are perhaps the very reasons some of us have taken up engraving as a pastime or hobby. Part of any artistic endeavour is what inspires us.
This is an often overlooked part of ourselves that gets lost in the daily noise and grind that surrounds us all. It can help create the emotional bond that is essential to our work. Inspiration can come from anywhere, and it can be whimsical.
A favourite pet, a twinkle in your partners eye, your children’s first holy communion, religious beliefs, the nape of a lovers neck, flowers in the garden, a beautiful sunrise, fast cars, sport, a song, a wild animal, an historical character or event, a good book or story, the company of a friend, a beautiful scroll or a mother holding a child. All of these things can bring inspiration into our work.
Another source of inspiration can come through reading about engraving artists themselves. I’ve just finished reading the Pedersoli book and you can’t help but be inspired when he describes his engravings and his thoughts and ideas behind them. Winston Churchill’s book is in the same category when you read about his beginnings and the way he views his work and attention to detail. The recent pendant that Winston engraved for Kim Pember using the roses from a bush that his mother planted years ago is a fantastic example of inspiration and artistry.
There is inspiration all around us if we only have the eyes to see.
So if you are just starting out in this wonderful endeavour we call engraving, perhaps you can shut out a bit of the daily noise and find a little direction within your own soul and start engraving subjects that inspire and motivate you. Sometimes if you form a bond with your work you will be rewarded with better results. And if the project doesn’t quite turn out the way you want it to………then move onto the next one taking the lessons learnt with you.
Well, that’s my thought for the day
Cheers
Andrew
We all know about tools, sharpening, heel angles, transferring, drawing, cutting, techniques etc. etc. These are all the technical bits and pieces we have to know to become competent in the engraving arts. They are only achieved by honing your observation skills and practice, practice, practice. They are all extremely important.
On the forums we sometimes get preoccupied with all of the technical stuff and who is using what, where and how.
But what about the more artistic side of things that are perhaps the very reasons some of us have taken up engraving as a pastime or hobby. Part of any artistic endeavour is what inspires us.
This is an often overlooked part of ourselves that gets lost in the daily noise and grind that surrounds us all. It can help create the emotional bond that is essential to our work. Inspiration can come from anywhere, and it can be whimsical.
A favourite pet, a twinkle in your partners eye, your children’s first holy communion, religious beliefs, the nape of a lovers neck, flowers in the garden, a beautiful sunrise, fast cars, sport, a song, a wild animal, an historical character or event, a good book or story, the company of a friend, a beautiful scroll or a mother holding a child. All of these things can bring inspiration into our work.
Another source of inspiration can come through reading about engraving artists themselves. I’ve just finished reading the Pedersoli book and you can’t help but be inspired when he describes his engravings and his thoughts and ideas behind them. Winston Churchill’s book is in the same category when you read about his beginnings and the way he views his work and attention to detail. The recent pendant that Winston engraved for Kim Pember using the roses from a bush that his mother planted years ago is a fantastic example of inspiration and artistry.
There is inspiration all around us if we only have the eyes to see.
So if you are just starting out in this wonderful endeavour we call engraving, perhaps you can shut out a bit of the daily noise and find a little direction within your own soul and start engraving subjects that inspire and motivate you. Sometimes if you form a bond with your work you will be rewarded with better results. And if the project doesn’t quite turn out the way you want it to………then move onto the next one taking the lessons learnt with you.
Well, that’s my thought for the day
Cheers
Andrew
