Explore New Ground: Enameling on Steel Forms with Alisa Looney
Have a desire to enamel on steel forms? Learn to design, cut, and form various gauges into three dimensional shapes. Clean and prepare the steel for a ground coat formulated to adhere for a strong yet leightweight structure.
In this class with Alisa Looney, not only will you learn how to work with the steel to prepare it for enameling, but also learn the granular spray technique she uses with sgraffito to get those delicate lines with no chipping! The course covers professional as well as budget conscious options. Experience enamel like never before with incredible control on your steel forms.
Create work in a variety of styles- from detailed drawing to abstract patterns, loose and expressive or realistic and precise. Graisalle techniques will also be covered, building up shades of black and white to achieve depth and detail.
This course is available as a live online class. Please check this page for times and formats available.
Techniques taught:
- Designing your own unique shapes, pattern making and transferring to steel
- Cutting, sanding, filing, punching, and shaping steel
- Cleaning and preparing steel for ground coat layer
- Proper pinning to carboard to secure for granular spray
- Applying ground coat and firing
- Preparing liquid enamel for 2 types of sprayers
- Granular spray application
- Sgraffito tools and techniques
- Making a special sgraffito tool for the finest lines
- Kiln firing temperatures and time to acheieve gloss to sugar surfaces
- Grisaille techniques
- Finishing edges
- Mounting points for hanging and display options for 3D forms
A handout will be included with this class.
Read what students have to say about our online classes on the testimonials page.
Recordings of this class are available for 30 days from the final class session.
Tools for this Class
This is a list of tools you’ll need to practice the techniques shown in class. A list of tools with recommended suppliers for the best prices will be sent to you after registration. Please use that list and the links provided in the PDF to check the recommended tools and make sure that you have the correct ones. If you have questions about the tool list, please contact us.
- 3 3" 22ga low carbon steel circles
- 3 4" 22ga low carbon steel squares
- tin can lids
- 4 3"x3" pre-enameled steel blackboard squares
- Ground coat- either RM27 or G-16
- 2 small plastic jars with lids or baggies
- 1 lb 533 dry white liquid form enamel
- 4 oz 772 dry black liquid form enamel
- Spra-Tool kit and extra air refill cans
- 80 mesh sifter
- 2 hole punch
- Alundum stone
- Needle files
- Pro Shears
- Straight steel pins
- Epoxy putty
- Plastic bin with lid
- White plastic party table cloths
- Watercolor brushes
- Large soft brush
- Box fan and cardboard box
- Kiln and firing tools: rack, trivets, fork, gloves
- Timer
- Dust mask and safety glasses
- Comet or Penny Brite
- Tooth brush
- Scotchbrite
- Rags
- Sandpaper
- Ball peen and mallet
- Chain and flat nose pliers
- Assorted sgraffito tools
- Ballpoint pen, Sharpie, pencil
- Cardboard
- Utility knife, masking tape, packing tape
- Tracing paper, sketchbook
- Paper towels
- Jar for water
- Leather gloves
- Saw frame and blades
- Steel or wooden block
- Dapping set
- A computer, phone or tablet to use the free Zoom app for class.
Read what students have to say about our online classes on the testimonials page.
Prerequisites:
Previous enameling experience including sifting and kiln firing is required. Basic jewelry skills such as using a jewelers saw, drilling, and filing are also required.
Instructor:
If a class is online, or is a combination online and in-person session, all students receive a link to a recording of the class demonstrations. In-person only workshops are not recorded. For staff instructor classes, students have access to the recordings for one year. For guest instructors, access is 30 days.
If a kit is included with the class, online students will have them mailed to them. Kits for in-person students are delivered at the beginning of the first class. More information about the kit is included with the supplies list which is emailed after registration.
International students may be charged an additional amount for shipping, because of the increased cost to ship abroad. Also, shipments to other countries may incur a tariff payable by the student. International students are welcome to contact us re: these costs and options for their materials. Please be sure that the address with your payment is the correct one for shipping.
If this class is offered online, it uses the Zoom app/website. Through Zoom, you’ll be able to see demos and follow instructions, ask questions and interact with your instructor. Zoom is easy to use and free for students to use for class, and works on most devices, like phones (iPhone, Android, etc), tablets (iPads, etc), and computers (Mac or PC).
Your instructor is also available during free Zoom office hours for questions and help.
For classes that include work time, online students work at home or in their studio. All of our recommended tools and the kit materials are chosen to be home studio friendly. Links to preferred vendors are provided in the supplies list sent after registration. Some classes, like our short demo only classes, don't require tools or materials to attend.
There are no requirements regarding COVID at this time.
As always, we clean and disinfect shared tools and benches after each class.
If you have tested positive for COVID, have symptoms that could be COVID, or feel ill, please don't come to class. Contact us for more information.
And now the fine print. Payment in full for class fees is due at the time of registration to reserve your place. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. Checks and cash are accepted only if you register at school. If you mail a check, your registration is not processed until it clears and the class may fill during the wait.
If the workshop is canceled by our school for any reason, all class fees will be refunded, or you can transfer to another class, or you can keep a credit on account with us for future classes or purchases,
Students can cancel, receive a credit or refund, or transfer to another class up to 21 days before a workshop, whether it is online or in person. No cancellations are accepted after the 21-day deadline, however, we will do what we can to try and sell your place to a qualified student. If we can sell your place, you can receive a refund less a $50 cancellation fee, keep a credit on account with us, or apply your fees towards a transfer to another class.
If you can’t make it to class, you may send a participant who has the necessary prerequisites in your place. Please call or email us immediately with any changes in the student participant information. If a class includes an online section, your class will be recorded and you can watch later to make up a class you miss.
Students must be at least 15 years old to attend a class, and students under 18 must have a legal guardian sign our liability waiver form. We have had younger students attend classes, on a case by case basis. If you’re interested in enrolling your child, please call or email us.
If you sign up for a class and fail to have the required prerequisites as listed in the class description, you are still subject to the 21-day cancellation policy, listed above.
Lodging and meals are not included for in person classes.
If you don't come to class, there are no refunds, credits or transfers.