Engraving Practice Plates 3 and 4

I thought I’d write a quick bonus post and give an update about my ongong engraving practice. This quarantine definitely has many challenges, and the fact that there are six of us, five of whom are adults, in the house 24/7 is right there at the top. It’s been wonderful to spend this time with my family and to have all the kids home, but it does make the house seem pretty small at times. My studio is right in the middle of things, which is wonderful at times, but also has it’s own challenges. So much of what I do requires hammering, I know that can get annoying for the rest of the family. So, I’ve decided to spend more time working on push engraving for now.

There is no doubt that push engraving is more difficult than hammer and chisel. I really don’t understand why this is, since it seems like control would be even more difficult when using the hammer and chisel. Over the past couple of days I’ve done a couple of practice plates, and have the cut and sore hands to prove it! I’ve learned a lot, though, and am really enjoying the process.

Push Engraving, Practice Plate 3

Push Engraving, Practice Plate 4

I have such a long way to go, but I see definite improvement over where I’ve been. The first plates that I did (which I haven’t shown) with push engraving you could barely discern the pattern through all of the slips. I still have tons of slips, but it’s improving. I’m finding that I need to cut much more shallow than I think I need to. Also, I keep breaking the tip of my graver so I’ve had lots of practice sharpening and finally understand the process. I must be breaking the tip since I’m trying to dig too deep.

I have lots and lots of practice ahead of me... And I need to make sure to put band-aids on the shopping list. But, I’m determined to be able to learn this!