[Jewelry making - Article 00032] - Re: [Orchid] Grisaille

[Andrea Hill]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========


    Cheryl, One of my favorite techniques -- I'm always looking for
    grisaille work. Grisaille means (roughly) "grey-ness."  In enameling
    it's an underpainting technique, in which you are creating a
    monochrome look, using a black background with a buildup of white
    overlays.  Similar to camaieu, only you're using the black ground
    instead of transparent.  

    To achieve it, you start with a very very consistent matte
    background of black.  Similar to Limoges, you're firing after every
    color (or coat, in this case).  Mix your white powder with oil, like
    oil of lavender, to create a pasty substance. Subtle revealing of the
    black through the white is achieved through hatchings using a needle
    or smoother variegation using a spatula or brush.  When you fire the
    white, you have to take care that it does not start to flow and
    obscure the outlines made.  Continue to apply thinly and fire after
    each coat, building up the white very carefully to achieve a
    three-dimensional effect.  What you're looking for is strong contrast
    between the light and the dark - creating an impression of low
    relief.  Sad to say I've never gotten very good at it in enamels (in
    which I only dabble), but when it's done well it's absolutely
    stunning -- a favorite effect in fine art that I became fond of in
    Vermeer and Hammershoi paintings. A contemporary painter I am fond
    of, Chen Bolan, uses grisaille technique extensively in his work
    (though he incorporates other colors as well).  You can probably find
    examples of his work on the net, to see the "look." 

    The most beautiful enameled piece I've ever seen was by Mariane
    Hunter.  She incorporates foils into her grisaille work, and she uses
    color instead of just black and white, but if you get a chance to
    look at her work it's a must-see.  Also, D.X. Ross teaches classes on
    the technique -- I think she's based out of Florida. I hope this was
    helpful -- and good luck! 

Andrea Hill
Director
The Bell Group/Rio Grande

____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________