what the best advice to be given when you get disgusted and not engraving good at all??

mark hall
2/13/2007 2:37:56 PM

I never engrave when disgusted. When I start engraving each day, if it doesn't feel right I go do something else...lots of projects to work on...and come back later and try again. If it doesn't feel right then I might make a mistake or at least have poorly placed lines that will need correction(if possible). S

Sam Welch
2/13/2007 3:02:30 PM

deep breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, classical music--many ways to relax- but relax you must. it's a waste of time to attempt to engrave, especially for a beginner, if you're a bundle of nerves and all tensed up.
beginners must know that good work will never come quickly. anyone that says otherwise, is a huckster and not an artist. success will always come to those who will work to that goal.
it's easy to fall into the trap of negative thinking, "ah, my work is crappy"----- think positive, ah, this isn't good, but i'll do better tomorrow. this will make you better. good luck

j.d. swartzfeger
2/13/2007 6:39:42 PM

Hello Mark.... I don't know how many times I gotten disgusted with my mistakes and the whole project in general. Like Sam said, I would just quit and go do something else.

I just finished a gun that I drew plans for two years ago. When I was done, I was disappointed with the whole project. It just didn't look good to me. I put it away for a couple of weeks and didn't look at it.

I came back after two weeks, picked it up and was surprised on how good it looked. I wondered "who did this design and engraving, it's good". Now I am ready to let someone else see it.

"Just do it" an artist once told me. Do your best... I agree with Swartzfeger, with a positive attitude and the encourgment of guild members, you will grow as an artist in steel.
Stu

Stu Millar
2/15/2007 11:00:38 PM

Mark, Let me play "Devils Advocate".(Remember-this is done with the best of intentions)
Are you really disgusted or just disappointed?
As a beginner, you can see how difficult the Art of Engraving is. Your attempts might not look like the work that is turned out by the professionals. It can be very disappointing and frustrating. Most new things are. Now that you see the difference between the work of experienced engravers and newbies, you are well on your way to discover the skills and abilities that are within you. Your desire to make this work will force you to try it again and again.
The learning curve is different for everybody.
THINK ABOUT THIS: Success is nothing more than a series of failures.
Success is usually one or two steps beyond the point where most people give up trying.
Thomas Edison made over 14,000 experiments before the light bulb was invented...He said the main reason it worked was because he ran out of ways to fail.....it is reverse thinking, but also very effective.
Your early attempts at engraving will be your best teacher. Keep all of your practice plates no matter how "crummy" you think they are.Put dates on them....you'll be glad you did.

The best thing about engraving is that you don't have to re-invent the wheel....All you'll ever want to learn about engraving is shared freely.
Just ask.
Everyone out here has gone through the same process---more or less.
You're in pretty good company, if you ask me.




Brian Powley
2/16/2007 11:06:29 PM

Mark, Brian and the others are right. Years ago I put together a co. of 40 engraver apprentist/students over a oeriod of time. As I was trying to teach them, I told them that they were all guarenteed at least 1000 mistakes (a figure out of my hat) so lets keep on cutting and get through those 1000 mistakes in order to get where they wanted to be. I also told them a great cut isn't worth a damned IF they didn't know why or how they accomplished it --- so pay close attention to what you're doing when cutting. I think I can speak for the above posters when I say, none of us are totally happy with any job we complete and learn from our errors. In closing, stay with it if this what you really want to do and you will. Remember, your reality is your focus. Best wishes, Ken

Ken Hurst
2/18/2007 9:44:42 PM

ken hurst didn't hit a nail, he hit a spike on the head ! no artist that is a real artist, is ever satisfied with his/ her work. some of the worlds' greatest, have ripped their canvasses to shreds ! hmmmm
some of their doodles sell for jillions--go figger !

j.d. swartzfeger
2/20/2007 11:08:19 PM