In this digital workshop we explore a vitreous enamel technique with rich history, grisaille, in its 20th century incarnation developed by Andreu Vilasís.
Grisalla òpal utilises beautiful, semi-translucent opalescent enamels, to build volume in a delicate low relief on the traditional dark blue background. The results are magical.
This video class includes:
- Downloadable two hour HD video class (4.8 GB)
- Downloadable 13 page PDF Handout
- Downloadable PDF with templates and list of materials
The HD video covers the following:
- Introduction to the technique, history, tools and materials (23 minutes)
- Project 1: Celtic knot (14 minutes)
- Project 2: Möbius strip, firing procedure (34 minutes)
- Project 3: Acanthus leaf (49 minutes)
Here Mer gives you a beautiful Grisaille Enamel tutorial. I have seen Grisaille used with white opaque enamels over black opaque but her application using opals is just beautiful. After 30 years of enameling, you would think you have seen all the techniques. This is differently a technique I will be using, I can see it helping me in my ocean scenes as well as in my animals. Her work is not only beautiful but also shows any enamelist a very delicate approach to shading your enamels.
This technique is explained in detail: history, freehand design, choice of enamel and creation of three amazing works. During the lesson you forget that you are following an online class, you feel in the workshop of Mer in a calm and relaxed atmosphere. Thanks to the incredible macro shots you can really understand how to move every single grain of enamel to create delicate shades.
Thank you so very much! It was a joy to learn from you. The course was phenomenal. You are an excellent teacher.
Dear Mer, I wanted to take this moment to write a note of personal thanks for such a wonderful class on-line on Opal Grisaille. Your skill with on-line teaching made this long-distance learning an informative and pleasurable experience.
Mer Almagro offers wonderful tools and supplies to aid you in your enameling endeavors, something that was so needed in Europe!. Her educational contribution to the enameling community is so valuable to all of us. She researches her material and has a great understanding of the technical difficulties facing enamelists. Thanks to her, we now have an English translation of the wonderful Andreu Vilasís book. Go to her classes on Patreon!
Scroll to the end of this page for a complete table of contents and running time.
This is not a beginner class, intermediate level in enamelling is necessary, and some drawing or painting experience strongly recommended. The preparation of the bases is only lightly touched upon, in order to dedicate as much time as possible to the wet-packing technique.
Please be aware that the enamels used in this technique are traditional leaded enamels. You also need access to an enamelling kiln. You can buy a vitreous enamel kit for this class in my store.
If you want to participate in the private Facebook classroom, please send me an email to enamelworkshop@gmail.com, from the address you purchased your copy, indicating your screen name so I can add you.
Testimonials
Read @soenamelicious and Patsy Croft's full reviews of this class.
Patreon
You can buy my classes with a 20% discount if you join the Intermediate or Producer tier in my Patreon. This is a good deal, you get to view all of my Patreon content and get the class for less. Once you're logged in to Patreon, visit this page to purchase.
| timestamp | screenshot | chapter |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00:00 |  | intro |
| 00:02:14 |  | tools & materials |
| 00:12:26 |  | recommended books |
| 00:15:20 |  | history of grisaille |
| 00:16:40 |  | projects and procedure |
| 00:19:12 |  | firing technique |
| 00:23:45 |  | celtic knot: demo of base preparation |
| 00:24:50 |  | celtic knot: layer 1 |
| 00:31:00 |  | celtic knot: drying and firing of layer 1 |
| 00:31:43 |  | celtic knot: layer 2 |
| 00:35:50 |  | celtic knot: final layer (layer 3) |
| 00:37:28 |  | möbius strip: demo of base preparation |
| 00:39:03 |  | möbius strip: study |
| 00:42:41 |  | möbius strip: layer 1 |
| 00:50:10 |  | grisalla òpal firing procedure |
| 00:53:08 |  | möbius strip: firing assessment |
| 00:54:52 |  | möbius strip: layer 2 |
| 00:57:49 |  | möbius strip: layer 3 |
| 01:05:16 |  | möbius strip: final layer (layer 4) |
| 01:11:47 |  | acanthus leaf: study |
| 01:13:28 |  | acanthus leaf: demo of base preparation |
| 01:17:11 |  | acanthus leaf: layer 1 |
| 01:28:40 |  | acanthus leaf: firing assessment |
| 01:29:40 |  | acanthus leaf: layer 2 |
| 01:34:58 |  | acanthus leaf: layer 3 |
| 01:49:43 |  | acanthus leaf: final layer (layer 4) |
| 01:59:56 | greeting | |
| 02:00:18 | end credits |