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MAKING YOUR OWN FIRST PROJECT

ELEMENTARY STEPS

Follow us step by step as we uncover and discover the rudiments of basic repousse that will be used in many different designs and projects, large and small. These elementary steps will help guide you into a world that’s been almost forgotten, yet, survived for five-thousand (5,000) years.
In our first project, we will work with the most basic of metallic elements, copper. This reddish-brown or reddish-orange malleable metal will be our easiest material to work with and is pure .005 (five-thousandths) gauged copper.

The Equipment You'll Need

To begin, we need a set of tools to help create your first piece of artwork entitled “The Good Luck Heart.” There are a number of dealers that can provide you with the right set of tools for what you are thinking to create. Figure 01 illustrates the basic tools you will need for this chapter. This will be a starter set in your journey to becoming a professional craftsman in the Art of Repousse. As you develop a feel for your tools, choosing the one that works best for you will help develop freedom, security, and a natural feel for working in this unique craft. Practicing with these tools will help you gain complete control of your hand movements. This control is very important when doing any kind of artistic work requiring hands-on activities.

Figure #1

Figure #2

Figure #3


We have different kind of tools. The scribers and the other small and medium ball tools. Others recognize them as jewelers’ burnicers. In the lesson herein, we will call them embossing tools. The ones shown here were made by Stefan. You may want to try your hand at doing it yourself if you have the time, equipment and skills. However, if you choose to buy them, you can find them in most arts and crafts stores. Many of these are used for clay carvings. The one other tool that’s a standard in all households and schools is a pair of scissors. A good sharp pair is all you will need for this project.
If you are unable to find a craft store or jewelers supply house, you can purchase them through a website or a supply catalogue. Over the years, Stefan has come to rely on a number of suppliers to give him in short order, the attention and time needed to be up and running when commissioned to do a piece of art work.

 Another piece of material essential to our work is the underlap. This cushioning material is used underneath our piece of copper so as to give when pressure is applied. You may choose cork, rubber, or balsa wood. For large classrooms, the backside of carpet remnants or stacks of newspaper is good to use. This is more economical for those on a tight budget. In his studios, Stefan prefers the flexibility of cork and much like repousse, has historical significance.
Drawing

In Figure #4 we start with a simple drawing of a heart. Stefan is using a permanent marking pen with a medium size tip to compose or shape his design. The size chosen can be for all seasons and reasons, for example, a holiday ornament, birthday, nameplate, keepsake, memento, or Valentines. As such, many artists, writers, and craftsmen like Stefan have it in them to convey a sense of “intrinsic charm and beauty of the most simple things...” (Sullivan, 1996, frontispiece).

figure #4

In Figure 4, Stefan is using a medium size ball tool to score the design. This scoring will create an indentation on both sides of the metal.

Figure #5

Figure #5
Create what Stefan calls the first dimension. This is the backside or underside of our work.


Figure #6 & #7











Embossing Lesson
In Figure 6&7 we take our first step to embossing. As we work on the inside area of the indentation, using our large radius spoon, we see it taking shape—soon to project a bowl on one side and a raised surface on the other. As we work the spoon tool back and forth to create the depth we are happy with, we will soon produce our first dimensional effect. This is the most fundamental pattern or relief in all repousse work and gives you a time-lapse view of how the work should progress. As we follow-through in this application of using our large spoon, the embossing will define its edges. This rubbing back and forth is repeated as needed to create a nice smooth surface without wrinkles.


Figure 7
Figure #7shows how a ridge and slope is formed. To do this, we will use the large spoon to apply pressure to the copper on its underside. Making the ridge around the outline of the heart will give a more dramatic effect and create a natural valley. Working to produce this ridge on the topside will strengthen the copper for later cutting. Stefan is using a small spoon to make a nice sharp crease on the outside edge to create a ridge for that distinctive appearance called a middle relief.
After making your creases and indentations, you will have produced one continuous ridge around the heart for embossing on the face and underside (Figure 8 & ).





Figure 9

In Figure 9 the spoon is used to smooth out the bowl. we continue to emboss until we have achieved a level of crispness and smoothness that is acceptable in our pursuit of happiness. Gives you a face view of the heart and the contrast between the projections rendered by our embossing technique. The small ball tool helps us finalize our work before embellishing it on figure 10.
Figure 10


Embellishments

Once your satisfied with the appearance and shine, we are ready to embellish or decorate. This is where your imagination can soar, if your technique is cultivated. For example, you may want to inscribe a specific letter or name and/or a conceptual image from your mind’s eyes. This can be an animal or plant, or a message of love. But for now, let’s keep it simple.
Figure 11

Our first design will be a simple zig-zag pattern etched into the valley with your scribing tool (Figure 11). This provides texture while creating a durable surface. Do not make the mistake of doing this on the face side on top of the ridge.


Another embellishment or feature we want to create is a flower. At this point in your work, you can use let your imagination blossom. But for now, Stefan will scribe a simple one. With the heart face up, we will begin by making an indentation in the shape of a circle on the first dimension or relief (Figure 12).


Figure12


On the underside, we will make indentations to form the petals of our flower. Having the two indentations opposing each other will give the flower a realistic appearance. This will provide detail and the eyes of the beholder will be drawn to your artistic talents (Figure 13).

Figure 13

Once we’ve created the round disk on the face and the petals underneath, we can scribe a small stem and leaf on the underside (Figure 14). This relief will dominate the surface while allowing space for an inscription.

Figure 14
Figure 14b

Our last embellishment or inscription can be a short phrase or message of endearment. To do this, a small ball tool is used (Figure 15 & 15b).

Figure 15
Figure 15b
In Figure 15b Stefan chose to inscribe his message on the surface or face.


Once you’re happy with your embellishments, it’s time to cut out the heart as seen in Figure 16. This is easily done with a sharp pair of scissors. After stretching, the heart has been given life and strength. Literally speaking, the relief gives our ornament an immeasurable amount of durability and rigidness. If you leave a small area at the top of the heart, you can punch a small hole in it and use it as a hanging decoration.

Figure 16

Now that we've completed the initial shape of the design, you may want to polish it with some four-ought (.0000) steel wool. This will bring out the luster of the copper (Figure 17). No polishing compounds are recommended. If you happen to use any, it may leave a residue in the indentations.

Figure 17

Once you’re satisfied with your Good Luck Heart, you can use your imagination and do a similar piece. For example, try your hand at doing a good luck charm or lucky charm in the shape of a four-leaf clover. This will give you some hands-on practice for developing the techniques and skills to use in more complicated repousage.




Samples of the heart series can be viewed at the following link:
"Love Heart" series

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