Bob in SF
Member
Getting back into old school engraving, and this little copperband butterfly fish (Chelmon rostratus) was a worthy subject.
Steps:
Taped a 4x6" 24 ga. copper sheet onto a wood block, took it to the CA Academy of Sciences.
Did a quick pencil life drawing of the little guy.
Hand-push-engraved it using Steve Lindsay's point geometry/sharpening templates to grind onglette and 116 degree universal parallel point gravers (carbide steel, diamond stones, 260-2,000 grit).
Did the chasing (hammer down) and repousse (hammer back out) with hand ground HSS tools & chasing hammer, occasionally annealing the copper sheet with a propane torch.
Selectively darkened some areas with liver of sulfur (aka potassium polysulfides, wearing gloves, working outdoors); stopping the reaction with hand-rubbed baking soda paste.
Fine-sanded some areas to add texture.
Pressure washed the piece with a garden hose.
Fixed it with Nikolas brand brass instrument lacquer.
This is a warm-up for some future hand micro-engraving/monoblock printing which will find it's way onto the barrels of pens (fun ahead - stay tuned).
Warm regards to all, and happy Wednesday - Bob
Steps:
Taped a 4x6" 24 ga. copper sheet onto a wood block, took it to the CA Academy of Sciences.
Did a quick pencil life drawing of the little guy.
Hand-push-engraved it using Steve Lindsay's point geometry/sharpening templates to grind onglette and 116 degree universal parallel point gravers (carbide steel, diamond stones, 260-2,000 grit).
Did the chasing (hammer down) and repousse (hammer back out) with hand ground HSS tools & chasing hammer, occasionally annealing the copper sheet with a propane torch.
Selectively darkened some areas with liver of sulfur (aka potassium polysulfides, wearing gloves, working outdoors); stopping the reaction with hand-rubbed baking soda paste.
Fine-sanded some areas to add texture.
Pressure washed the piece with a garden hose.
Fixed it with Nikolas brand brass instrument lacquer.
This is a warm-up for some future hand micro-engraving/monoblock printing which will find it's way onto the barrels of pens (fun ahead - stay tuned).
Warm regards to all, and happy Wednesday - Bob