He has engraved the guns of Holland & Holland, James Purdey & Sons, and many more. His execution of scrolls and three-dimensional sculpted engraving is accurate, yet the "human touch" remains visible in his work. Philippe Grifnée of Belgium will be passing on his experience to a select few at Grand Masters 2008.

One of the topics that will be covered in Grifnée's course is how to develop exquisite harmony in layout. Examining this engraver's work can boggle the mind, it is so beautifully and masterfully done. He pays attention to everything - the balance of his animals to the background, the curl of a tendril to the mother vine, the proportion of his scrolls and how the leaves should follow. Each element is carefully and decisively placed.

Such careful planning comes from years of experience, hard work, and skill. But undoubtedly, the masters under whom Philippe Grifnée studied passed on some of these valuable planning skills. In the same way, a new generation of master engravers may emerge from this master.

Even without verbal instruction, studying the end result of fine engraving can aid your layout skills. Take this into consideration when looking at the works shown here by Grand Master Philippe Grifnée.