Drawing with Depth in Enamel
Working from personal sketches and reference images, learn how to incorporate chiaroscuro drawing techniques into vitreous enamel. This virtual class will allow you to use metal as a dimensional canvas, while pushing what transparent and opaque enamels can do to create depth and luscious surfaces. Starting with copper sheet, demonstrations will be given on metal preparation, enamel sifting, stencils, use of painting oils, underglazes, overglazes, and seed beads. Students should plan to come away with a handful of working samples that can be informative for future works or used for small wearables. Basic enameling skills are preferred.
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Please read the Materials & Tools tab!
Meet the instructor
Jessica Calderwood is sculptor and jewelry artist working primarily with the mediums of metal, enamel, and marginalized crafts. She received her BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art and her MFA from Arizona State University, with an emphasis Metalworking. Her work has been exhibited throughout the U.S. and internationally in curated and juried exhibitions. She has participated in artist residencies with the John Michael Kohler Arts/Industry Program, Mesa Arts Center, and several self-designed residencies with local industry. Her work has also been published in Metalsmith Magazine, American Craft, NICHE, Ornament, the Lark 500 series, and the Art of Enameling. She is currently an Associate Professor of Art at Ball State University in Indiana.
Materials & Tools
In addition to the tools listed below, the instructor's list of materials that will be used for this course can be found here.
Hand tools:
- 1 x jewelers saw (Rio Grande)
- 1 x pack saw blades - 2/0 (Rio Grande)
- 1 x burlife / bee's wax (Rio Grande)
- 1 x bench pin (Rio Grande)
- 1 x half round hand file - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
Enameling setup with kiln or torch:
- 1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
- 1 x kiln (or torch) - mini or full size (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
- 1 x sifter set - 60, 100, 150 mesh (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
- 1 x steel screen - for your kiln size (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
- 1 x steel trivet - for your kiln size (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
- 1 x firing fork / spatula (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)
- 1 x tongs or tweezers - for moving hot objects (Rio Grande)
- 1 x crockpot or lidded glass container - for pickle (Amazon)
- 1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (Rio Grande or Amazon)
- 1 x copper tongs - for pickle (Rio Grande)
- sink or large tub of water - for cleaning enamel