During this course you will learn how to craft a copper dish using authentic Japanese hammer chasing skills. You will be shown how to use the Japanese hammers provided for use on this course. You will be shown how to put the handles and shafts on the hammer heads and then add the wedges to secure the hammer head shafts in place.

You will shape the copper using sinking and doming techniques in a wooden block to make a rectangular dish with a nice curve. You will inlay the rectangular copper dish with a silver disc using the simplest Japanese inlay technique. The dish will then be placed in the pitch where you will then start using the Japanese hammer chasing techniques to give the fine perspective seascape fluting that can be adapted to your works in the future.

The dish will be oxidised by using silver black on the front side to give the moon through clouds and reflection of the seascape effect.

Your tutor will guide you on techniques with one-to-one tuition and group demonstrations and discussion throughout.

All materials will be provided for the set project including copper and silver.

This course is part of our Japanese influence’s week led by talented artist-tutors:

Yoichi Fujimori (Japanese paper making) Mieko Fujimori (Indigo dye on paper) Wayne Meeten (Japanese hammer chased and inlayed moon dish) Rie Tsuruta (Exploring Japanese pottery) Lucy May Schofield (Japanese woodblock printed landscape bound in a scroll) Rie Takeda (Calligraphy) Helen Turner (The art of imperfection in painting – wabi sabi)

Each course explores a different aspect of the influences and techniques of Japanese art and craft and how they may be applied to 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. Participants will also be encouraged to visit other courses to see work produced across the varied approaches offered in the week.

Included

On this course the College will supply most of the materials required for the project including copper sheet and a copper test piece, a silver disc, hard silver solder, pitch, wet and dry paper, solution to oxidise the copper and silver-black.

What students need to bring

• Any hammers you may have
• Sketchbook, pencil and two fine permanent marker pens in different colours

Available to buy

Available from shop: All metals are provided however silver can be purchased from the College Shop which stocks a range of sheet, wire, rod, tube and findings. These will be available in set sizes and lengths suitable for a wide range of projects. A good variety of art materials including sketchbooks, pencils and fine permanent marker pens.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes). Possible equipment restrictions in tutor abscence.

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential

Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.15am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
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
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm (lunch included)
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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