View Single Post
  #14  
Old 04-30-2009, 02:37 PM
Chapi's Avatar
Chapi Chapi is offline
Gold
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 174
Default Re: Shading practice

Thanks to all of you for your input on this. I never had any trouble shading with pen and ink, so I thought this would be a breeze, but its turned out to be one of the trickiest aspects of engraving. I understand the structure of it and how each line has to start from a zero depth and increase up to a black depth, and these graduated lines combine, they give the illusion of a smooth shaded brush stroke, but actually making that happen in steel is a tricky deal. I had a big breakthrough when I ground down my universal so that the tip was much easier to see, as well as the metal that you are cutting. I think this is an essential ingredient because I can know see what the lines next to the line I am cutting look like. Its amazing how complex this seemingly simple task can be.
Reply With Quote