drawing rococo pattern

[jim m]

starting to pratice carve some rococo. My problem is that I am a complete and utter clutz at drawing. anyone know of any templates or stencils available. any and all advice welcome :surrender:

 

[paulvallandigham]

Jim; You should be able to buy french curves and templates at most art supply stores. Often they can be found at hobby stores, too. As for patterns, look for them on the internet with a search for " roccoco patterns, or look at other firearms, shown here and in books. there are books on carving, and engraving, that show patterns. Dixie Gun Work's catalogue has many books show for sale. See if you can borrow them through your local library, first, and then buy what you like to add to your personal library.

Look into taking a drafting course at your local community college to learn how to use the tools and draw. There are also art classes available through most colleges and universities. I took an art course my senior year in college, as an elective to fill out the hours needed to graduate, and still find uses for the instruction I received there.

 

[flashpanner]

I found a book via inter-library loan. it is called The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director. Also, check out Jim Kindlng's books he has pic samples of carving styles

 

[Allan Gray]

That book, Chippendale's, is a rare find. I believe it's been out of print for some time. To buy a copy cost alot of dough!

I've also found examples of scroll work on U.S. paper money. Take a close look at a 1$ bill and you'll find lots of great roccoco stuff.

Also, shotgun and wing shooting magazines usually have photos of high dollar engravings and scroll work.

 

[Mike Brooks]

Practice practice practice.

 

[jim m]

thanks for the replies, went to the hobby store and found a set of french curves. just what a clutz like myself needs. now for lots of practice and all this thinkin stuff makes my head hurt :wink:

 

[longshot47]

When starting out, line images might offer certain advantage over photos.
Try Googling 'tattoo flash'. If you spend enough time in there, you're liable to find something of interest.
Longshot

 

[Zonie]

Another good thing to look for are the ellipse templates that are sold at various stores that deal in drafting supplies.

These are flexible plastic so they can be bent to lay on the curved surface of the stock.

The smaller the "angle" the flatter the ellipse and IMO the 20, 25 and 30 degree templates are fairly close to the curves the original gunmakers used. The templates have a large number of sizes in them.

To use these, start by drawing about 1/4 of the curve from a large hole. Then use a smaller hole to draw the next 1/4 of the curve. Proceed using this method until you have a full spiral and don't be afraid to rotate the templates as you go to get a better fit or flow of the line.

 

[ricklandes]

Check out the beginning engravers kit at NgraveR. It has a set of sencils for some basic curves, scrolls, leaves, etc. that I found useful. I do like the french curves, have a set of 3 or 4, but those above were a good helpful addition.

You may want to trace a piece or two from a pic of an original as it will give you a feel for it better than an eyeballed sketch. (just remember you cannot transfer this to a finished rifle...flat pictures do not result in good patterns for round surfaces!)

If the design is too large try putting a light grid over it. This is used by pencil artists and it will bkeak down the "elepant" into more do-able pieces.

I like to draw and find that a good wood #2 pencil and a tablet of good sketch paper will do wonders. I have to fight to get over not doing it perfect as seen and allow myself the luxury of developing my own style as another is used as a practice piece. (And please belive me I could not draw a card from a pile of aces! Practice will build your confidence!)

Keep your practice sheets in the tablet. See how you improve with just a bit of practice. Your goal is to develop a style rather than copy a master?

I do not know how much you have practiced, but do not doodle. trace or draw out a design you like (read a small part of the design) and do it again and again until you can do it with ease. Doodling I think is without a goal and best saved for boring staff meetings!

The most important part of your drawing tools will be a good eraser. I recomend a pink pearl as a personal fav.

Please be encoraged as the style will come with practice and focus. Allow your practice time to be relaxed time...this will help with the final carving and the finishing and after all is that not the real root for most of us in this wonderous realm?

 

[Lead Chucker]

Take a look at Tandy Leather website... they have some patterns that you might find useful.