Total Destruction in 3...2..1. Complete!

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Sinterklaas

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Hi Guys and Gals,

just finished destroying some piece of copper plate. ;) I got the design from a link that Sam posted somewhere on the forum. I rescaled it to fit on the plate of copper I had. Then I needed to transfer it. I have an inktjet printer so Acetone didn't work.

If you have tips for transferring from inkjet printers I would love to hear them. I could not find anything useful on the web.

So I transferred it by applying some paint on the copper and letting it dry. Then I put the paper with image on the plate and put some tape where there wasn't a design element to hold it in place. Then traced the lines with a mechanical pencil without the lead. So I pushed the lines in the paint. Then I got graving with a 120degree graver. And for the shading I used a 90degree graver. All with Gravermach assist. Under Microscope and with my new vise.

I must say I am not pleased but It was a learning experience. Are there any books for beginners on scroll design that you recommend?
 

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Brian Marshall

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That's how we all started...

But most of us did NOT have the equipment you are starting with!

Patience and hours and hours of practice are ahead of you now. If you have that, you WILL eventually make it all come together...


Brian


Some say that you should fill a 5 gallon bucket with practice plates before you start taking on "real" jobs - but that gets boring after a month or so. There are lots of inexpensive folding knives and other jewelry type trinkets you can practice on when you begin to get more confident.

Best advice is to give them away to friends and relatives.

(Then spend the next ten years trying to trade your better work or CASH to get them out of circulation. Been there, done that. Bought back my first elaborate silver on leatherwork and melted it all down. Except for one piece that I keep well hidden. I take it out and look at it about once a year...)

You'll know when it's time to start charging for your work.
 
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monk

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the tip section is chock full of tips on transfer. get yerself a looseleaf, and start taking notes. you'll be a qualified engraver in short order--uh, well, maybe. good luck
 
Bluetickhound

Bluetickhound

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My initial investment of tools/practice materials should be showing up in the next few days... If my first efforts look like yours I'll be fairly happy! I've been sketching like a maniac and will go the transfer wax route... We'll see how it goes in the next week or so, depending on how quickly my stuff gets here.
 
Donny

Donny

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Agreed! We all started like that....Mine looked like that because I was trying to muscle the tip through at a bad angle and not enough air pressure and pushing down with my index finger...plus twenty other bad habits :)

Just relax and do some straight lines consistently ....meaning same length same thickness for five or six plates...then arcs ...then curves... I promise you will be light years ahead if you relax and do fundamentals...and draw an hour a day while learning to cut...

Donny
 
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Brian Marshall

~ Elite 1000 Member ~
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One suggestion: Date and sign (engrave your full name) on every practice plate!!!


That will do 3 things for you.

1. Give you a reference point as to what level you were during a certain time-span - IF you keep them filed all together. (preferably not loose in a cigar box)

2. Give you extremely valuable practice with tiny lettering. This alone will pay off in ways that you cannot believe at this point. Think "bread & butter".

3. It will help keep you humble in the years to come.... ;)


Brian


I will recommend Lee Griffiths for a very comprehensive scroll drawing package. You can find him on this forum.
 
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Sinterklaas

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Location
Holland
I have found some tips on the forum regarding transfer from inkjet.
Dave I will keep your suggestion in mind.

I have dated this plate. So I could see where I started.

Thanks everybody for the input.
 
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