FEGA coat of arms thread

[DM]

Does the new coat of arms take the place of the earlier one with the blue banner on top and bottom? I'm working on some sketches of the lettering. Both of the samples you sent had roman columns on each side so I assume that might be incorporated into the design. Think about using acanthus as a border rather than roman columns, or perhaps acanthus wrapping around columns? I think acanthus leaves should be a major part of this design because you use acanthus so much in your engraving and would appropriate as a border. Do either of you have some samples of acanthus work that I can interpret into watercolor for this design?

 

[Sam]

Hi Dan. Glad to see you pop in. It's been pretty quiet since Andrew's been in Australia but he should be back any time now and we can resume. I don't want to tell you the wrong thing and waste your time so I'll let Andrew answer your question about the coat of arms.

As for the acanthus, I'm sure we can come up with something for reference. Wrapping around column appeals to me and I don't mind drawing up something. The Guild has many experts in the area of acanthus and scrollwork design so let's make it as fabulous as possible!

 

[DM]

I am having a friend who teaches Latin come up with the correct translation of "To honor the art of engraving". This is certainly not a risk to take with google translate.

 

[DM]

I paint lots of acanthus, but you need it to look more like a typical "engravers" acanthus. I will imitate your style and rely on samples you can provide. Thanks so much.

 

[Sam]

Dan: Good deal on the translation of the latin phrase. Thanks!

Here are some exceptional examples of acanthus elements. Doesn't get much better than these.

 

[Andrew Biggs]

Hi Guys

I'm back!!

Yes, Roman column with acanthus wrapped around has a certain appeal...........or acanthus by itself. Either work for me as the acanthus us the life blood of engraving. I trust your judgment on this..........Roman columns, banners, etc are great for building the framework of the design.

Sam's examples are great as they are the old fashioned Victorian type acanthus. It's a timeless style from which all modern acanthus evolves.

Good deal about the proper Latin translation. Google is fine for a quick reference but I certainly wouldn't rely on it.

Logos...........The new Master Engraver logo should be used as per Sam's drawing/design. This should be the dominant logo used

We should also use somewhere in the design, the FEGA logo which is the shield with blue banners saying Firearms Engravers Guild Of America..........This is the logo for the whole of FEGA. The Masters is a sub group. But this will be the secondary logo and kept small. I want all the attention on the FEGA Master Engraver logo because that is what the project is all about.

One other logo that should be included is the FEGA Master Engraver stamp. We are working on this now. It will be very small and is a shield with FME in it (black outlines only).................this will be tiny and can be put anywhere. I am hoping to have this to you in a few days. By small, I mean small, just like a stamp. Maybe 3 to 4mm high and discreet.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[Sam]

Andrew: Would a quick sketch of the columns and location and size of the ME logo be helpful?

Welcome back!

 

[DM]

An acanthus border without columns will be beautiful. This will be painted in watercolor. I'm a bit concerned about drawing a logo the size of a postage stamp.. I hope I have pens and brushes small enough. LOL.

I've been working on different layouts and designs today.. I have an idea to make "Master Engraver" really pop off the page with tooled gold leaf. Also.. different lettering combinations of "Firearms Engravers Guild of America". Nothing worthy to show you yet.

 

[Andrew Biggs]

Below is pretty much what the FEGA Master Engraver stamp will look like.........Barry has an idea to refine it further to give it a more old world look.

Basically it will be something the master engravers can put next to their signature. Some will use it and others not. But at least it's an option for them........If we start now then hopefully it will catch on. Who knows, maybe in a 100 years it will mean something.

So as you can see it is outline only, black and white. So it can be placed anywhere on the certificate really small.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[DM]

My latin teacher friend has responded with the following:

"pro honore artis caelaminis (for recognition of the art of engraving...)
OR... ut ars caelaminis honoratum habeatur... which means, 'so that the art of engraving may be honored' = in English, to honor the art of engraving... I like the second one better, but the first one is simpler. I think either will be fine. But if the certificate is to show distinction, then the second one would be more appropriate."

 

[Sam]

If I might make a suggestion about the hallmark stamp.

Dan: Great on the translation! Thank you. I like the 2nd one myself.

 

[Andrew Biggs]

Dan.......Good deal on the translation. Definitely the second option.

Sam..........Yes, I like that better. I'll wait and see what Barry has in mind. He's away at the moment.

The only thing with a stamp is........it has to punch well when hit with a hammer. So lines tend to do that better. This thing will only be about 3mm tall.

The thing with these is that no matter what size we make the stamp it will never be the "right" size. It will always be to big or to small. Plus stamps are a bugger to use properly without ghosting or double imaging..........So I suspect most people will just hand engrave it.

 

[Andrew Biggs]

Here is the final stamp design.

It's not sexy but it will work well as a very small stamp. Barry is organising quotes etc etc.

Dan.......this can go anywhere ion the certificate you like.

 

[DM]

working on some acanthus ideas

 

[DM]

I am thinking having the leaves drop down from a fully Illuminated "F" (Firearms....) which will fill up left side and have a thinner version of acanthus coming up the right side. I know the roman column adds a nice touch but I need to play around more to see if it will work.

"Firearms Engravers Guild of America will start high and drop off slightly as it moves to the right. The Coat of arms will be above the lowest word "America" because there will be a curved empty space there. Acanthus will come out of the top of "F" and move to the right and stop at the coat of arms. I'll show you very rough sketch later.

 

[Sam]

That's looking great, Don! You have a good hand on acanthus design. Andrew is still in Switzerland and should be home this weekend.

Looking forward to your drawings!!

 

[DM]

Attached is a sketch of how the certificate might look, along with a color study of the acanthus main design coming down the left side and the thinner border for the right side. I'm thinking of using the burgundy and greens to keep consistent with the coat of arms.

 

[DM]

About the acanthus design: The one I've been working on is a very detailed version. Attached are a few others versions that are simpler, but get the job done. Your thought?[/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

 

[DM]

the last image with the acanthus all 4 sides is by L.S. Fields, but I like the design.

 

[DM]

Here's a better look at there certificate rough layout with out the distractions of all the cut and pasting.