Learn how to translate colour and texture ideas, and the techniques of using fine wires and metal leaf. This course aims to introduce enamelling skills to beginners and to show how colour, texture and coloured ideas can be translated into enamels.

Starting with a series of basic test pieces on copper, simple techniques are covered. You should then progress to working on small silver or copper items, and, by the end of the course, you will have produced a small simple item of jewellery.

This is a fine enamelling course and you will cover the washing and grinding of enamels in preparation for wet packing. This allows much more scope for controlled and detailed work. You will also work with fine wires, and gold and silver leaf. The tutor will provide a variety of enamel samples, which should encourage you to experiment.

If you have no experience of enamelling, you will follow small steps with copper samples. If you have had some experience, then you will be encouraged to incorporate other techniques into your samples. You are encouraged to bring examples of your work as a starting point to discuss ideas.

Included

Enamels used by the group as a whole are provided. The tutor will provide small colour fabric samples, which should give you inspiration for test pieces.

What students need to bring

• An apron/overall
• small glass/plastic containers to contain wet enamel
• scissors, cutting tools
• fine tweezers/pliers
• Any jewellery tools (a kit of basic tools may also be hired from the shop)
• Any enamels you may already have
• a Hair tie, to tie your Hair back if it is long

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• 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.
• Copper sheet 1.2mm and cutting tools
• Drawing materials and fine paint brushes

Additional information

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

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
Students meet their tutor in the Bar at 7.30pm prompt to go to studios.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 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*
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
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
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.

*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options

Terms & Conditions