How to properly begin engraving?

How does one start engraving, from the beginning? Is there a "front-door"? Is the Meeks book the bible for the craft?

[Tim Adlam]

Thanks Sam,

Speaking from an artists point of view..... I believe the influence of seeing a completed work of engraved art has the effect of touching your creative soul. This moment of inspiration is the catalyst necessary to begin the next stage of the journey. You have to feel that "this" is what I want my life to be about. Whether it's engraving, knifemaking or any of the other varied disciplines out there--you have to want to possess it for your own. Without this....I feel that one would not "stick with it" and see the journey through. That's not to say that engraving or knifemaking or anything else has to be the "one" consuming passion of ones' life. Rather it should be looked upon as a "part" of ones' life. That's the "front door" for me. With that said....you begin with a few simple tools as outlined in a previous thread and a willingness to "do it". There's reams of information out there for technical guidance. I don't know an engraver out there that didn't start out with James Meeks book. We all owe him a deep debt of gratitude for sharing his knowledge of this rather obscure artform. Our way of repaying that generosity is to carry on his free-exchange mission. I believe that's why engravers love to bare their souls!

Tim

BTW.....I never looked for a "back door"!