doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com OT-Bulino engraving

I am putting a Mountain Lion on a project and thought you may like to see how I go about it. The primary lines are lightly scribed, and I am just starting to put some dots in. The eyes are one of the first things I locate. Then I do the edges, and darkest places.
Then I do a little more, and a little more. . . .

Incredible work Barry. It's great to see the fine tradition of excellent engraving being still carried on.
Jim

Amazing!

Forgive my lack of knowledge, do you carefully place each dot in its place or you can use something like an electrical "puncher" and carry it relatively freely over the area to shade? Are all dots of similar depth? Do you obtain a darker shade by adding more dots or deeper dots to it?
Thank you for sharing,
Serban

Barry, This thread is not OT at all!! This is exactly the kind of artful craftsmanship lovers of old sxs guns appreciate! Thanks for the education and eye candy. Bob

Barry, just wish that you showed more of your work. Is the mountain lion Bulino and what type is the other engraving surrounding it called?

Thanks folks,
The dots are actually tiny triangular , or when done properly rhombus or diamond shaped cuts. They are put in one at a time, by hand with a single point 70 degree side angle graver.
Each dot is placed VERY carefully, but i can place 4 or five in a second.
A dark area is made by placing more dots, the size does vary, but in theory, really should not. The blackness of each dot is determined by the sharpness of the engraving tool, as when it is sharp, it leaves a mark that traps light, and will not reflect it.
The mountain lion is Bulino, the leaves and scroll around it are chiseled, or, chased.

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you Barry. Would you show us this through finish and installation? Jake

Nice to see how the work is done. I have seen a couple pieces you have done for Dennis Olson, here in Plains and had often wondered about the technique. I have always leaned towards the Bolino style.
Best,
Ron

To what degree of polish does the base begin with? Does this ever vary depending on the subject and style of bulino? How does this style of bulino differ from stippling? Please show us more of this as it progresses. I'd really like to see it finished. Thanks for the tutorial.

Bill G.