The Cut of a Hand Engraver

A solo exhibition by Richard Whyles.

After leaving school I began a full time three year City and Guilds course at the Birmingham School of Jewellery and Silversmithing. The first year consisted of working in jewellery design and manufacture, silversmithing and engraving. As I seemed to have a natural ability and flare for engraving I spent the next two years learning the skill under the tuition of Ron Pennell.

On completion of my City and Guilds I found full time employment at an engraving workshop in the jewellery quarter. Here all types of engraving was catered for, lettering, ornamental scroll work, heraldry and machine engraving. There was then a down turn in the engraving trade in general and the workshop closed. I continued to do some outwork for the jewellery trade for a time but ultimately went in another direction to earn a living.

It is only very recently that I have picked up my graver again. Thanks to Anna and Pan at Green Door Printmaking Studio being able to print a piece of work has fuelled my new found enthusiasm to engrave and print more.

The work on display has no theme or reason, just what came into my head at the time. Two of the prints are taken from plates that I engraved while at college, the others have been completed since becoming a member of the Green Door Printmaking Studio.