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Beginning Chasing and Repoussé
In this 3-day master class, students will learn the unique and exciting processes of chasing and repoussé. Chasing means adding detail and texture to the front of a sheet of metal or cast metal piece using steel chasing tools. Repoussé means to punch up from the back of the sheet to give it form and volume, readying it for texturing and detailing. Students will learn the traditional approach of working the metal while held in pitch (a pine resin-based material), which has been practiced for hundreds of years around the world.
The goal for the class is skill development through making samples in copper that become source material for finished works. Mēgan will bring lots of chased and repoussé samples and finished works to show the class. Instruction will be a combination of live demonstrations, PowerPoint presentations and working with each student individually.
Mēgan will bring a broad range of chasing tools and punches for the students to try out and use during class. Sources and suggestions for purchasing tools will be covered.
Meet the instructor
Nancy Mēgan Corwin is a jeweler/metalsmith, teacher and writer in the field of art metals. She teaches workshops around the United States, Canada and England including Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, The Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine, Arrowmont School of Crafts in Tennesse and at West Dean College in Chichester, England.
In 2009 Mēgan published a book on the techniques of chasing and repoussé, titled “Chasing and Repoussé: Methods Ancient and Modern,” which is in it’s second printing and is currently available for purchase through jewelry suppliers and Amazon.com. The October 2009 issue of Ornament magazine featured Mēgan with her piece “Tiara” on the cover and with a lead article. She has curated two shows in conjunction with the book: “Metal Magic, Chasing and Repoussé” with Facèré Jewelry Art Gallery in Seattle, WA 2009 and the 2010 exhibition “Chased + Repoussé” at Velvet da Vinci Gallery in San Francisco, CA.
In 2010 Mēgan exhibited with Facèré Jewelry Art Gallery in Seattle, WA as part of the exclusive series titled “Signs of Life.” This annual exhibition is the brainchild of the owner, Karen Lorene. She chooses nine nationally known jewelry artists and the same number of well-published novelists and poets, and produces a magazine in which the writers receive an image of one of the artists’ works and uses that as inspiration for a creative piece. These magazines are beautifully produced and are archives of jewelry art and literature. Mēgan has work in a number of private collections throughout the United States, in The Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England, The State University of New Mexico Art Gallery at Las Cruces in their permanent collection, and at the Tacoma Art Museum, Washington in their permanent collection. Mēgan exhibits her work at Facèré Jewelry Art Gallery in Seattle, WA.
Materials & Tools
There is a $35 materials fee for this class that is payable upon registration. The materials kit includes all the metal and other consumables you will need for making samples and following exercises.
Please Note: More advanced students are welcome to bring sterling and/or brass with them to work on during class.
NOTE: Metalwerx has all of the following for communal use, but we recommend you bring your own / extra if you have them or if you do not want to wait to use a communal tool / item. Items marked as requested, have been requested on behalf of the instructor and will not be available from Metalwerx for communal use or purchase.
- Closed-toe shoes - required in the Metalwerx studio
- Pitch bowl 7" min. diameter - with base
- Only red and green pitch are allowed in the studio - no black pitch.
- If bringing your own pitch bowl, instructor requests bowl be filled PRIOR to class with the pitch rising slightly above the rim, forming a "mound' or domed shape. A document will be sent after registration on how to properly fill a bowl of pitch.
- Below are two options if students wish to purchase their own. You may need slightly more pitch than comes in the 4.4lb brick to make your "mound". Will be outlined in pitch document sent after registration. Click vendor name to view items.
- Ottofrei.com - Pitch Bowl Kit
- Riogrande.com - Pitch Bowl and Base and Red Pitch (German)
- Chasing hammer. Note: Metalwerx has some chasing hammers for use in the studio.
- Suggested sources for chasing hammer (30mm diameter face)
- Riogrande.com - Picard Chasing Hammer, 6 oz.
- Ottofrei.com – Nechamkin/Otto Frei Pistol Grip Chasing Hammer
- Suggested sources for chasing hammer (30mm diameter face)
- Chasing tools.
- Students are encouraged to bring any chasing tools they own to use during class.
- Instructor will be bringing tools for students to use during class. These tools are made by a variety of tool makers and come in many styles and lengths. Students are encouraged to use them to determine what works best for them. The tools are available directly from the tool makers and can be ordered from them after class. Mēgan will go over the tool sites and help students decided what tools to order.
- 3 x lip balm with no additives like flavorings - requested
- Dust mask - requested
- Cotton apron or all cotton clothes - requested
- Lint-free cotton rags (such as old T-shirts) for wiping liquid pitch off the metal - requested
- Cheap ball point pen (will be ruined for writing) - requested
- Ear plugs or other appropriately rated hearing protection
- Safety glasses or goggles – must have sides and must fit over student’s glasses
- Closed-toe shoes – required in the Metalwerx studio
Optional:
- Optivisors. There will be a lot of close-up work.
- Dapping tools
- Letter and/or number stamps
For any questions about these supplies, please email Mēgan at [email protected].