The basic introductory workshop:
 Cloisonne´and Enamel Color Layers

Learn   enameling basics and then explore the technique of cloisonne´enameling.
Learn to "think about" the WHAT, WHY, and HOW.
Play and have fun while you are learning

You will have the skills and knowledge  to be able to make a piece like this by the end of the workshop!
(jewelry-making not included)

Here is just some of what you will learn.

• cloisonne´technique basics: wires, color layers, flux layers, grind and polish.
• learn to use  silver and gold foil to create reflective areas of light within your pieces
• make  handmade embossed silver foil.
• learn "how to blend and layer your colors" to create beautiful painterly imagery within your cloisonne´ wire cells.       Shade your colors with control!
  
• explore several ways to finish your completed enamel pieces
  
• develop your "enamel vocabulary" to make more personal enamel artwork with colors you love.
  
• connect with your "inner enamel artist" as you consider the role of design, creativity, and expression in your enameling.
  

Some Basic  Cloisonne´Techniques
click on images to enlarge

 A typical 5 day workshop with Ricky Frank

Day One:

1. Share and set some goals for the week
2. Lesson: "Learning to ask and answer  the question           "What does it depend on?"
3. Introduction to bending cloisonne´wires
4. Learn enamel basics (science and skills)
5. Prepare an opaque white enamel on copper "canvas"
6. Make transparent color samples using silver and gold foil to understand basic transparency and chemical reaction principles
7. Learn and practice several transparent enamel "layer and blend" styles to begin developing your enamel vocabulary

Day Two:

1. Lessons:  Learn more transparent enamel "layer and blend" styles
2. Make your first cloisonne´ enamel piece start to finish
3. Learn options for grinding finished surface and polishing options.
4. Creativity and Expression lesson and discussion: learn to ask "What if?" questions and

Day Three:

1. Begin new cloisonne´project using more complex wire work
2. Introduction: Create a fine silver canvas/ learn to "flash" your fine silver to create a highly reflective background
3. Creativity and Expression lessons
4. Lesson: understand design elements and how to create them using enamel, foils, and wires
5. Work on your pieces in progress

Day Four:

1. Work with handmade embossed silver foil elements
2. Lesson and Discussion: Learn to Critique
3. Design new projects and continue to work on projects in process
4. Last -minute demos of topics we have not covered such as repairs, wire work design, bezel setting an enamel, etc

Day Five:

1. No formal lessons
2. Time for finishing your projects
3. Any last minute questions to consider
4. Make sure you stay connected with your new enamel friends.
   

I don't teach a "project-based" workshop.

I want to challenge you to go beyond "what I'm telling you to do". This sometimes cause a little bit of discomfort among students who are used to the teacher giving them a very specific project to complete.  There won't be a guarantee that you  will make something "good enough if you just do it the right way". You will have to think about and decide upon what you will make. It doesn't have to be "good". In reality, it probably shouldn't be "good" since you are LEARNING. In fact, you will learn much more if you play and experiment with smaller pieces that you don't consider to be "art". How can you make something meaningful if you have not developed an enamel vocabulary yet, or even have any control?
I want to get you out of the "Do it Right" mode of thinking, doing, and making.

When students are able to "let go" of doing it the right way and can just have fun with the enamel, they make a shift from "I need to succeed" to "I want to learn". This allows them to make a change in how they think about what they are making , how they are making it, and what they want to make.  This  is where the magic begins. Here is how I facilitate this process of transformation:

•  I will show you some basic skills and demonstrate some important scientific principles.
• I will describe what is "happening inside of my head" as I am making my pieces.
• I will invite you to "just do it" and give you permission to make mistakes and fail.
• I will  encourage you to make "BAD" enamels to help you get over your fears of beginning.
• When you come to me with a question, I will almost always respond with the one honest answer: "It depends". And then I will ask you to think about what it depends on so that you can learn how to answer your own questions.
• I will point out all of the "mini-successes" you have achieved which will  help you build your confidence..
• I will invite you to connect to what you are making, to think about why you CARE about it, and suggest that you exaggerate something to make it more expressive.
• I will encourage you to just play. In this way you will learn what is possible and what your like.

By mid-way through the week, you are answering your own questions and need little help at all. Your confidence will grow, and if you are like many students, you will not even want any help. You will embrace and enjoy the process of self-discovery. You will  have learned to think for yourself! It is incredible for me to watch  your growing sense of freedom and confidence blossom right in front of my eyes. By the end of the week, you will be  amazed when you  see how DIFFERENT and INTERESTING the pieces are. It's because the artwork comes from YOU and not from ME.

Check out the variety of pieces made in  my  Introduction to Cloisonne´workshops.
Some students had NO enamel or art experience, while some had some art experience but little enamel experience.