Immerse yourself in colour and become fascinated by the process of enamelling. In the kiln, the enamel powder melts to form a solid layer of glass on the metal base. It is during this melting process that the colouring metal oxides reveal their true colour and brilliance.

You will be working with vitreous enamel - opaque and transparent - mainly on copper, with the opportunity to use silver and develop the technique on small three-dimensional pieces made from copper mesh.

This course offers the opportunity for you to explore colour in depth, focusing on colour shades, colour combinations, interactions and different surface textures.

Concrete tasks will be combined with more playful and intuitive approaches to help you find your own design language in the use of the technique. Individual and group discussions will broaden your experience and bring to light previously unnoticed aspects.

With enthusiasm and the joy of experimentation, a number of test pieces will be created. You will end with your own "sample book" and your personal vocabulary using colour and surface textures.

Materials week: Pigments

This course is part of our Materials week collection of courses focusing on pigments led by talented artist-tutors. Each course explores a different aspect of using pigments and how they are used in a variety of traditional and contemporary practices. Each tutor will be invited to give a short talk (10 minutes) about an aspect of their work relating to the theme of the week on Tuesday evening at 5.15pm. You will also be encouraged to visit other courses to see work produced across the varied approaches offered in the week.

View all courses in Pigment week

• Sophie Bowen - Slow marks - natural dyes, drawing and stitch
• Lucy Mayes - Pigment making - the craft of colour for artists
• Judy McKenzie - An introduction to Nerikomi ceramics 
• Christine Graf - Enamel - exploring colours and textures
• Caroline Ross - Make a set of artist quality watercolour paints and pastels
• Peter Ward - Painting with earth

Included

The course fee includes the cost of materials, shared amongst the group – copper sheet, copper mesh and a small selection of enamels.

What students need to bring

• Sketchbook ideas
• Images and/or resource materials of textures and colour combinations
• Any enamel or metalwork you have designed and made for problem solving
• Digital camera
• A sketchbook, any drawing materials and your preferred drawing material for coloured sketches
• If you want to work on silver: silver sheet 0.8mm – 1.0 mm thick
• Enamel, if you have some
• Small containers to hold enamel
• Old nylons, if you have them
• Paintbrushes
• Jewellery and enamel tools, especially fine tweezers
• Dust mask, if you have one
• If you have long hair: a hair band to tie your hair back

Available to buy

Available from shop: -Drawing materials and paint brushes

• Copper sheet (1.2 mm) and silver sheet (1mm)
• Carborundum sticks

For any materials you need to purchase from the shop, we suggest you do so during the first morning of your course, after having discussed them with your tutor.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals, and safety boots, if specified.

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm  
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break  
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)  
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break  
Teaching finishes: 5pm    
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
Teaching finishes: 3pm  

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

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