Have you ever wanted to add color to your metal artwork? When considering enameling, have you felt intimidated by all of the confusing information, rules, techniques, tools, and color possibilities? In this fast-paced, one-day class, students will learn some basic techniques to prepare, apply, and fire enamel onto copper. We will explore the relationships between enamel, metal, and heat and how this affects your results.

Understanding this “enamel science” will provide a strong foundation when studying more advanced techniques and developing skills and control. These basics also make it easier to have fun and play with this magical medium.

Through the use of lectures, demonstrations, simple assignments, and making samples, students will...

Learn and understand Enamel Science Basics:

• Firing your piece: The Time/Temperature Relationship

• Counter Enamel: Do you need enamel on the back of your piece?

• Transparency: What creates clear color layers?

• Copper and Firescale: How clean does your metal really need to be?

• Enamel Mesh Size: Grain and Layer thickness

Explore Basic Techniques:

• Sifted blends and edges

• Stencils

• Sgraffito

• Silver Foil Layers

• Simple “wet-packing” applications

The goal of this class is not to make a “pretty piece” or copy a project. Instead, students will be challenged to learn how to “think in enamel” so that they can feel confident solving the many challenges that they will face in their studio as they seek to find their own enamel voice.

QUESTIONS?  Please contact Artist Assistant Jody Deweese at jodydeweese@aol.com

CAN'T ATTEND LIVE? WANT TO REVIEW WHAT YOU LEARNED?

A recording of the workshop will be  available to all participants for 30 days following the workshop.