Enamel Fundamentals Part 2 with Tom Ellis
’Fundamentals Part 2 with Tom Ellis’
Description: Using applied adhesive to create line, shape and texture; Sifting transparents direct on copper through stencils to create thin copper oxide line detail; Stencils; Easy way to remove stencil; Copper oxide as an iridescent decorating material; Liquid (clear and white) enamel; Sgraffito; Stencil; Copper oxide; Layering for depth of pattern and texture; Making a custom shaped copper pendant from 24 gauge copper; basic cloisonne wire bending and firing; silver and/or gold foil; Floral wafers.
Fundamentals Part 2
Cost: $385 per two-day workshop (includes all materials)
Date: January 23 & 24, 2021
Time: 9:00 to 4:30 PM each day
Location: W.W. Carpenter Enamel Foundation, 645 Colfax Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073
Contact: Tom Ellis – Call 859-291-3800
Email: tellis@thompsonenamel.com
* The workshop will consist of lectures, demonstrations and (4) hands-on projects.
* Written handouts will be provided documenting everything covered in the workshop.
* All Materials Included in cost of workshop.

Project (1) – ‘Quick and Dirty’ This first project on Saturday will be made on a small piece of 24 gauge copper (2 x 3”) and with the use of an adhesive like Klyr-Fire painted onto the copper in a pattern, lines etc., and then, sifting certain transparent colors over the adhesive, dumping off excess and firing to get unique abstract textural color effects. Learning a pallet of transparent enamel for this procedure will be shown.

Project (2) Left above: Transparents stenciled direct on copper. Right: Copper Oxide Iridescence. In this project you will see transparents stenciled directly onto copper. The stencil shape will develop a brown/red outline around the image due to oxidation of the stenciled enamel edge during firing. The second sample will use flakes of copper oxide as an applied decorating material. After firing, opalescent blue and transparent aqua can be applied on top for an extremely iridescent effect

Project (3) Liquid Enamels, Stencil and Copper Oxide The idea of this project is to use the procedures and materials from the first two projects, adding liquid enamels and stencil as further ‘ways of working’ to develop line, texture, spaces, contrasts etc., on a 3 x 4 inch copper rectangle. ‘Ways of working’ ‘tools’ will be used side by side and/or one on top of the other, in a gradual build up of imagery, pattern, composition, line, texture, and spaces. We will leave some areas to stay very light in color, light spaces like 2110 fully fired. Use pickle (Sparex #2) to remove copper oxide from some areas. The cumulative result is unlike any other pursuit.

Project (4) Custom Pendant Design With Floral Wafers and Gold Foil We will make a custom 3-D pendant shape from 24 gauge copper. A copper cloisonne frame will be made to hold the gold foil, transparent yellows and the floral wafers. Sifting and wet inlay will be employed. After all enamel has been applied and fired, the final surface will be ground smooth with and alundum stone, glass brushed and re-fired.