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sofaboy
14-04-2020, 11:40 AM
HI
Can anyone recommend a good course for enameling techniques? Not too basic but not too advanced. Preferrably online
I like to work with silver, copper and brass at the moment but am interested in incorporating enamel in my designs
I dont have a kiln so torch fired is ideal.
Im intersted in scgraffito and also painting with wet enamel
Can you reccomend any products on Cookson or other online suppliers?
Many thanks
Sofaboy

alastairduncan
14-04-2020, 02:34 PM
Sandra Mcewen has a bunch of videos that I found useful. I'm a beginner myself at enamelling 4 pieces so far and working on the 5th.

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/sandramcewen
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC0gCgDmbgS0IoQArbQxVQw/videos

She does use a kiln but the techniques are still the same however you fire.

I also found the book by Phil Barnes really good specifically for engraved champleve but it still has good techniques and insights, he also used a kiln:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Engraving-Enamelling-champleve-Phil-Barnes/dp/1785005456

I don't have a kiln, all enamelling I've done is torch fired and I haven't done any enamel courses, its unlikely that there will be any face to face courses running in the near future but there are numerous videos out there on how its done, google search is good.

I use Vitrum Signum https://vitrumsignum.com?s=Signum+enamel&post_type=product

The brand I'm using is Schaur, transparents mainly. I chose these because the firing temperature is lower that other brands. It means that I can solder before I fire with enamelling or hard solder without the soldered parts dropping off if I'm careful ;-) I've no experience of other brands apart from what I've seen from other enamelists. The latest pieces from Jill Tower on instagram have been created with Thompson enamel https://www.instagram.com/jtower_jewelry/ It has been suggested to me to look at the Japanese enamels for some richer reds, that's on my to do list.

sofaboy
14-04-2020, 03:54 PM
Alistair
That great thank you. i will look at the vidoes tonight.
Good thinking about the solder melting!!!
I think Thompson is a well respected brand but Im not sure where to get it yet. So when you say transparent Im assuming semi transparent? Sounds goo but I can forsee the need for some good solid colour also
Thanks for your time
Reagrds
Jack

alastairduncan
14-04-2020, 04:24 PM
Good thinking about the solder melting!!!

It really all depends on the design of the item you are making as to whether it matters or not. Many pieces of enamel are set, in much the same way as stones are, so soldering and temperature are not an issue.



I think Thompson is a well respected brand but Im not sure where to get it yet.

Thompson is only one of many brands of enamel


So when you say transparent Im assuming semi transparent?

No, I mean transparent. The enamels generally come in 3 versions transparent, opalescent and opaque. The opalescent version is semi-transparent.


Sounds goo but I can forsee the need for some good solid colour also

It depends on what your design calls for ;-)

sofaboy
14-04-2020, 05:05 PM
Thanks Alistair
I like the look of VitrumSignum powders
Milton leadfree are a bit bright for me but WG Ball opaque look great
Im wanting to apply with a sieve and try the sgraffito technique

alastairduncan
14-04-2020, 05:32 PM
You can get W G Ball enamel direct from them

https://www.wgball.co.uk/vitreous-enamel/

MantasKer
27-07-2020, 08:04 AM
Thank you :)

Scarlet
19-08-2020, 09:47 PM
A little late to the party but....
I use WG ball and Milton bridge enamels. Order direct. I've also used Vitrum signim who stock lots of makes.
I mostly use opaque on copper. Though I use a kiln.
A couple of good books which are worth a read are - Linda Dartys - The Art of enameling and RUTH Ball -
Enameling.