ReEnamelware as an Art Form with Alisa Looney
Have you ever wanted to add your own surface designs to enameled camp-ware, mugs, bowls, or pans - new or thrifted, but don't know where to start? Learn step by step with Alisa Looney on how to take those pieces and give them new life! Alisa is a master of reworking pre-enameled forms into works of art and in this class she'll share all her tips, tricks, dos and don'ts with you!
Learn step-by-step how to choose shapes, prepare surfaces, and apply layers of liquid enamel with your own unique designs. Apply granular spray, sgraffito, and painting techniques using both liquid and watercolor enamels. Paint with lusters to add metallic and iridescent effects! Explore various approaches to decorating these unique shapes, allowing the form to inspire your imagination. Elements like the handle of a pan lid or mug can become a focal point by adding surprise imagery or details. Then discover ways to display your individual pieces, turning found enamelware into ART!
Techniques covered include:
- Discovering the unique shapes of existing enamelware
- Designing the surface to fit the shape and character of the piece
- Cleaning and preparing enamelware for enamel application
- Securing each piece in place for spraying and sgraffito
- Preparing liquid enamel 533 for spraying
- Granular spray application techniques and tools
- Sgraffito tools and techniques- scratching marks, textures, and drawings into the granular layer usings a variety of tools
- Creating a specialized sgraffito tool for fine details
- Painting with watercolor enamels- achieving a smooth continuous color area, layering for depth, adding texture and highlights
- Mixing colors to create shades and tones
- Painting with lusters to add metallic and iridescent effects
- Suggested kiln firing temperatures for the different enamel layers and thicknesses
- Firing three dimensional objects and supporting them
- Adding hardware for wall hanging and other display options
This course is available as a live online class. Please check this page for times and formats available.
A handout is included with the class.
Recordings of this class are available for 30 days from the final class session.
Tools Required for Online Students
This is a list of tools online students need to practice the techniques shown in class.
A list of tools with links to recommended suppliers for the best prices will be sent to you after registration. If you have questions about the tool list, please contact us.
- 4 4"x4" pre-enameled blackboard squares
- Thompson Enamel 533 liquid form white
- Thompson Enamel 772 liquid form black
- 2 enameled coffee mugs
- 2 enameled bowls
- Spra-Tool spray equipment and refill air cans
- Large 80 mesh sifter
- Stiff brush
- set of Thompson Enamel lusters
- Thompson Enamel BMC Watercolor enamel set
- Klyr-fire
- Paint palette
- Watercolor brushes
- Large soft brush
- Straight pins
- Epoxy putty
- Plastic bin with lid
- White plastic party table cloths
- Box fan and large cardboard box
- Kiln
- Firing rack, trivets, gloves, fork
- Dust mask, safety glasses
- Comet or similar cleaner
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Toothbrush, scotchbrite pad, cotton rags
- Sgraffito tools and ball point pen
- Cardboard
- Utility knife, masking tape, and packing tape
- Tracing paper, pencil, sharpie
- Paper towels
- Jar for water
- Large yogurt style containers
- Sketches, images, sketchbook
- Leather gloves
- Short pieces of 2x4
- Small weights
Read what students have to say about our online classes on the testimonials page.
Prerequisites:
Prior enameling experience with kiln firing and basic enameling skills are required. Students must have a kiln for this course.
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.