As Grand Masters 2007 comes to a close, one can find some impressive advancements being made with these twelve engravers. Practice plates lined with small English scroll look better and better from one day to the next.

This first image of a gold leaf shows a true inlay that Ken Hunt did as a demonstration. On the second, Ken Hunt has taken a punch to create "confetti" on the metal using silver and gold.

Jock Gifford's symmetrical design is an excellent example of damascening. This technique creates a vibrant contrast between the silver and the steel that is much quicker to execute compared to true inlay or overlay.

The last plate, an unfinished bit of practice by Lee Griffiths, demonstrates several methods in one plate. He used acid etching combined with bulino shading to create clouds. Lee used damascening on both the gold pheasant and the abstract bushes and grass across the lower part.

The engravers from Ken's course have been working diligently all week to get as much practice in as possible, and they look forward to getting back home to put these new techniques into actions. The Grand Masters Program is truly an exciting event, not only for those here in Emporia, but for the engraving world as a whole. Techniques and methods are shared among engravers like never before.

To learn more about the Grand Masters Program, how to qualify for the specially taught courses and other details, call GRS at 1-800-835-3519 or 620-343-1084, or visit the Grand Masters website online.