Syllabus and Schedule

Experimental Enamelling

Fall 2014     Baltimore Jewelry Center

Jenn Parnell, instructor

Class information:

Wednesdays 1pm- 4:30pm

September 3- November 19

Office Hours: by appointment, also most Wednesdays 4:30pm-6:30pm

Class blog: http://experimental-enamel.blogspot.com/

Class Description:            

Vitreous enamels are a versatile and exciting way to add color to metal work. The class will examine how contemporary artists are pushing the boundaries of the material and incorporating enamel into their work, giving students a grounded place to start their own experiments. Students will learn to use enamel with three dimensional forms and wire as well as sheet. Topics covered include: sugar coat and orange peel surfaces, etched enamel, torch firing, use of lusters, threads and frit, painting enamels, pattern creation, and stencils. No prior enamelling experience is required. Students should have a slid grasp of basic metalworking skills including soldering. Pre-requisite: Intro to Jewelry + Metals or equivalent experience.

Class Schedule

Week 1: Sept 3

·         Discussion: Enamelling basics, safety, kiln operation 

·         Lesson: Basic Firing, Dry Sifting, Wet Packing

·         Lesson: Surfaces- Stoning, Sanding

·         In Class: Begin test strips

·         Homework: Work on 6 test strips- 3 transparent, 3 opaque. Make sure all supplies necessary are ordered.

Week 2 Sept 10

·         Lesson: Enamelling on 3D surfaces

·         Introduce Project 1

·         In Class: Finish test strips, design for Project 1

·         Homework: Designs (in color!) for Project 1

Week 3: Sept 17

·         Lesson: Torch Firing

·         In Class: Discuss designs for project, test colors for project, sample torch firing

·         Homework: Complete testing colors for project and begin work on project.

Week 4: Sept 24     

·         Lesson: Surfaces- Over fire, under fire, Etching

·         In Class: Sample sugar coat, orange peel, and etched surface, work on project

·         Homework: Complete surface samples, work on project

Week 5: Oct 1     

·         Lesson: Patterns- Wet Packing, Burs

·         In Class: Pattern sample, work on project

·         Homework: Work on project, finish pattern sample

Week 6: Oct 8

·         Lesson: Patterns- Stencils, Dragging

·         Introduce Project 2

·         In Class: Stencil sample, work on project

·         Homework: Complete Project 1, designs for project 2, finish stencil sample

Week 7: Oct 15

·         In Class: Project 1 Group Critique

·         Lesson: Additives-  Lusters and Foils

·         In Class: Discuss designs for Project 2

·         Homework: Test any colors needed for project 2 and begin work on project

Week 8: Oct 22

·         Lesson: Additives- Threads and Frit

·         In Class: 2 samples of additives, work on project

·         Homework: Finish additive samples, work on project

Week 9: Oct 29

·         Lesson: Painting Enamels

·         In Class: Work on project, painting enamel sample

·         Homework: Work on project and samples

Week 10: Nov 5

·         In Class: Work time all class, work on project and any samples

·         Homework: Work on project and samples

Week 11: Nov 12

·         In Class: Work time all class, work on project!

·         Homework: Finish final project and any outstanding samples

                  

Week 12 Nov 19

·         In Class: Individual Final Critiques