https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/engraving-practice • Posted by Rebecca Skeels.
Here I am showing the stages of how to build up an image, rather than how to hand engrave.
Here I am showing the stages of how to build up an image, rather than how to hand engrave.
Tape a sheet of copper to some wood to make it easier to hold. So I challenge myself to develop my engraving and draw Elephants (incase you couldn't tell what they are from the picture) on the copper. It is easier to draw with pencil if plastercine has been rolled across the surface.
Scribe over the pencil lines so it scratches them into the surface of the copper, the pencil lines will get rubbed away, but the scrathes won't.
Engrave all of the lines cutting into the surface of the metal.
Roll plastercine on the surface and draw where some of the shading should be to get started.
At each stage roll more plastercine in, draw on some lines and the scribe the lines then cut the lines.
DEciding what to do next is hard, this shows the advantages of the pencil too, you can test and rub it out before adding the scribed lines.
I work on the shading one at a time.
Until I think it is done.
Work can begin on the next one.
Handengraving can take time, especially as a beginner.
If you don't get past stage three this may not be for you.
A handengraver develops over years before they become a master, I need another 5.9 years to be okay.
I think this one is nearly done.
Now to work on the background.
It is hard to tell where to stop to make sure it doesn't become the focus.
It is also hard to take a picture of handengraved images, this is taken outside at an angle to pick the lines up rather than the reflections.
So that will go into the practice box and on with the next practice.