Newbie shading

[jcarpenter]

Did a few weeks of hammer and chisel and then went to JJ Roberts school for a weekend. Got a PC a few weeks ago and I am trying it out. First attempt at shading and probably my 5th at outlining something beside lines and circles. Shameless copy of Sam Alfano's pattern and shading. I probably will have to get a microscope as I can only see out of my Optivisor one eye at a time. Please comment, I am here to learn.....and loving it!
John C

[JJ Roberts]

John,Welcome to the fourm,you made a good choise with your purchase of a Palm Control.Your scrolls look well formed,just need to work on the shading,keep practicing and it will come together for you and keep posting.J.J.Roberts

[SEngraver]

Originally Posted by jcarpenter

Did a few weeks of hammer and chisel and then went to JJ Roberts school for a weekend. Got a PC a few weeks ago and I am trying it out. First attempt at shading and probably my 5th at outlining something beside lines and circles. Shameless copy of Sam Alfano's pattern and shading. I probably will have to get a microscope as I can only see out of my Optivisor one eye at a time. Please comment, I am here to learn.....and loving it!
John C

Hi John,

Welcome to the Engraving Forum.
You are off to a flying start , with the best engraving tool in your hands and one of the most respected engraving tutors by your side.

You cant go wrong as you will learn and only get better !
SE

[G.rohrbaugh]

Welcome to the forum John. Keep at it, the shading will come. I took lessons from J.J. also. He's a great man and a good instructor.
Gary

[jcarpenter]

I am still working on trying to understand shading. Shading is hard. Got a microscope as the optivisors don't seem to work well with me. Found a freebie software program that designs Celtic knots so decided to see how they would engrave and shade. Comments are appreciated.

John C

[JJ Roberts]

John,Looking good,keep posting. J.J.

[benjamin2515101]

John,

The Celtic knot band looks good. I am still using h/c and push graving for my work, shading is definitely the hardest part of making the engraving look good. I've been studying L. McKenzie's book and pictures on here with some detail the best I can, I still feel like it will take many many more hours of practice before mine start looking acceptable. Keep up the good work!

[Brian Albin]

Originally Posted by jcarpenter

Please comment, I am here to learn

As no one else was feeling negative, I will give it a try.
I thought the mark I have followed with a red trace was wrong to run straight then bend 90 degrees and run straight again. For me it ought to have been a sweeping curve; partly to appear more pleasing when considered by itself, and also to better show the bowl shape of that part of the leaf.

[Paul Elshoff]

I would like a copy of that celtic knot program if you don't mind sharing where you got it.

Paul

[celticjohn]

I'm certainly no expert but I spent the day shading and found a system that helps me greatly when shading. I've drawn this diagram up in Coreldraw to try expalin it best. Rather than attempting to shade from one side to the other.
I set out my main shading lines (yellow) then cut another line (blue) between the yellow lines. The 2 yellow lines will give a guide to work between. Then cut further lines (purple) through the voids now created between the yellow / blue
Continue splitting the sections until you are content. I hope you can get the jist of what I'm trying to explain it certainly improved the overall look of my shading.

[jcarpenter]

Paul,

The url for the celtic knot program is
http://www.davehall.force9.co.uk/goldcup/kw.htm.

Brian,

Thanks for the comments. I agree and am working on doing a smoother curve. Feedback from members here is very important to me and essential for my learning.

John C

[Brian Albin]

Not yet being an engraver myself, I am not able to be of much help to anyone. But the natural inclination to want to be helpful makes want to try to say something useful.
I hope I can develop this engraving ability myself soon.

[Paul Elshoff]

Hi John C.

Thanks for the link. I d/l'd the program and intend playing with it after I get some sleep. (it's 8:00 AM here and I have yet to hit the sack, so kind of tired)

Paul

[Paul Elshoff]

Hi J.J.

The Stohlman article arrived in yesterday's mail. Many thanks.

Paul