Critique Request Arabesque sketch

LVCIAN

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Trying to develop an arabesque style and having the darndest time getting anything I like.

Here's is an example, as you can see it just doesn't "work" and I'm not sure why.

Hoping some of you might be willing to give it a critical eye and give me some insight from your own study.
 

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Sam

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I would say this is more of an acanthus style than arabesque.

The arabesque or blackleaf style is one of the most difficult to draw with flow, elegance, and balance. I would suggest studying the work of Churchill, Kornbrath, and even J.M. Bergling.

Your scroll backbones are as perfect as I've seen.
 

John B.

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My comment is that the bottom scrolls have too many "flat" lines and are way out of proportion the nice (started) upper scrolls.
Look like they were drawn by two different people.
Easy to be a critic.... tough to be an author.
 

LVCIAN

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Sam, Thank you for the suggestion and the compliment. This frustrated me yesterday. I'll try again today.

John, that may be why I ended up with to much of an acanthus style while trying for black leaf.

Thank you both.
 
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LVCIAN

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So I spent last night in study, slept on my observations and gave it another go this morning.

Definitely a lot more to do, and I love an excuse to buy a new book.

I'm generally happier. Though would love any nudge you might be willing to give.
 

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Southern Custom

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Much closer to the black leaf you are looking for. My observations are these. A few right angles that don't flow. that large top left acanthus leaf is a bit complicated and will be tough to shade unless you have a plan for it and I have no vision, and there are a few things that seen inconsistent or out of place like the long plain leaves in the background. That's a start. Also if you start to deviate from the overall form of the scroll, then you must pay attention to how things flow and relate to each other that much more.
Keep it up!
 

LVCIAN

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Thank you again.
Absolutely right about some of the individual elements needing more thought toward the over all image. I got really caught up in minutia of each line after the back bones were in place.
 

LVCIAN

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And today's attempts along with the study.

One last request for some input on the style and I'll leave you guys alone. Thanks in advance.
 

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mitch

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that old photo is almost certainly a snippet of Winston Churchill's work, from the receiver ring of a Remington 700 he engraved for Dave Petzal in the late '70s. i studied the same pics when i was starting out.

:graver:
 

LVCIAN

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I know I said I was done bumping this thread, but your advice and encouragement pushed me again this morning. So I got in one more study this week.

I'm happy enough with this one too try and give it some ink.

Sam,
Thanks again for the compliment

Mitch,
Spot on observation. It is a piece of Churchill's work.
Unfortunately, the image gives no hint as to scale. Any ideas of how big this really is?

Let me know your thoughts and happy memorial day weekend.
 

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mitch

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