Adding Colour to Metal Clay
Julia's work often features colour so she's developed a class which explores many unusual ways of adding colour to metal clay work.
In this two day class a wide variety of ways to add colour to metal clay are explored. The techniques covered will include:-
- Using acrylic, ceramic and glass paints
- Using alcohol inks
- Pearlex pigments to add lustre and sparkle
- Using Prismacolour pencils to add colour
- Torch fired enameling made easy
- Cold enamelling using UV resin and epoxy resin
- Efco oven bake enamels
- Adding gold using the Keum Boo technique
- Using patina processes like Liver of Sulphur
Using acrylic paint, ceramic and glass paint and alcohol inks, we'll explore adding subtle or vivid colour to metal clay work. Lots of examples will be on display and Julia provides a wide range of paints and colours to experiment with.
Pearlex pigment powder is used with inks and paints to add a pearlescent effect with a subtle sheen. Prismacolour pencils allow you to add subtle colour to your metal clay work. You’ll have the opportunity to use a range of colours on fired metal clay.
Enameling needn't be very difficult and require a kiln. You can add beautiful enamel to your silver metal clay with a simple butane torch. If you already torch fire your metal clay, you'll find working with colourful enamels very easy.
You'll learn the basics of enameling, how to choose the right enamels for your metal clay, learn about the colours that work best and those that are more tricky to use and also learn how to design metal clay pieces for enamel.
Gold foil is added to metal clay using an ancient process called Keum Boo. This is detailed in Celie Fago’s book on the subject. Using a hotplate, you’ll learn how to add the gold foil to your work.
Beautiful colours can be added to your metal clay work using a patina solution like Liver of Sulphur. This can create a range of colours, from a subtle golden tone through to black. We'll also explore adding heat patinas to copper and bronze clay.
To find out when Julia will be running this class next, visit the Calendar pages. If you'd like Julia to run this class in your venue, contact her.
