[steel]

Much as Roland's English scroll depicts cleanly executed scrolls, it is nether the less, very much the 'continental' and not the 'English' version of this style.

The differences between true English and Continental-English scroll stand out a mile if you know what you're looking at. Shading is often missing from all the scrolls (as can be seen here) and the 'outside work' often has no idea which way it is going (btw, not the case in Roland's example). This should grow from the scroll just as another scroll would i.e. in the opposite direction. And shading should be applied to every scroll's point of origin plus the head of every scroll. Tendrils and leaves should be shaded periodically. By doing so it adds interest to the design.

It is perhaps, unfortunate, because without these subtle elements so called 'English scroll' loses it's character and all it becomes is coverage. When executed in this manner it is often responsible for the "I don't like English scroll" or "It looks like escargot (snails)," type comments. English scroll should never appear to be mechanical, rather it should be organic like a plant.

A couple of other points. 1. English scroll is designed to be seen with the naked eye, and 2. it should be cut black, i.e. there should be no sparkle or brightness thrown from the scrolls. Much as I admire Barry's work (especially his English scroll) this picture is like seeing his work in negative and it cannot be fully appreciated when seen like this.