China Paint Overglaze Techniques for Enamel

The following supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name (in red) to be redirected to a page where you can find the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is strongly encouraged but not required - observers are welcome.

Metal/raw materials (note students can use/cut their own copper sheet): 

• 10 x 2" pieces of copper sheet - 18g (Rio Grande)

• 2-5 x lead-free enamels - at least 1 opaque color

Enamel supplies:

• 2oz x anise oil (A Painter's Collection)

• 2oz x clear balsam of copaiba (A Painter's Collection)

• 2oz x non-dry painting medium (A Painter's Collection)

• 1oz x best black overglaze (A Painter's Collections)

• 2oz x klyr-fire (Rio Grande)

• 1 x ceramic tile or dish (Amazon)

• 2-4 x small soft paint brushes (Amazon)

• 1 x plastic palette with lid (Amazon)

• 1-2 x small metal palette knife (Amazon)

• 1 or more x rubber wipe-out tool - tips wear over time (Amazon)

• 1 x glass vial dropper (Amazon)

• 1 x pack of calibrated disposable pipettes (Amazon)

• 1-2 x calligraphy pen with 2+ nib sizes (Amazon)

• 1 x glass vial with metal lid - cannot be plastic (Amazon)

Hand tools:

• 1 x jewelers saw (Rio Grande)

• 1 x pack saw blades - 4/0 and 2/0 (Rio Grande)

• 1 x burlife / bee's wax (Rio Grande)

• 1 x bench pin (Rio Grande)

• 1 x steel block / steel surface (Rio Grande)

• 1 x sanding sticks / paint stirs (Rio Grande)

Enameling setup (if using kiln):

• 1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)

• 1 x kiln - mini or full size (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)

• 1 x sifter set - 60, 100, 150 mesh (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)

• 1 x steel screen - for your kiln size  (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)

• 1 x steel trivet - for your kiln size (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)

• 1 x firing fork / spatula (Rio Grande or Enamel Warehouse)

• 1 x tongs or tweezers - for moving hot objects (Rio Grande)

• 1 x crockpot or lidded glass container - for pickle (Amazon)

• 1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (Rio Grande or Amazon)

• 1 x copper tongs - for pickle (Rio Grande)

• 1 x brass bristle brush (Rio Grande)

• sink or large tub of water - for cleaning enamel

Enameling setup (if using torch):

• all enameling items listed above - minus kiln

• 1 x torch setup - Silversmith or similar style  (Rio Grande)

• 1 x #2 or larger torch tip - if using Silversmith (Rio Grande)

• 1 x striker or lighter - Silversmith system has one (Rio Grande)

• 1 x tripod or fire bricks with screen (Rio Grande)

Other/miscellaneous items:

• particulate dust mask

• eye protection

• fine-line Sharpie

• Micron pen (your prefered size)

• pencil and notebook / paper

• sturdy work surface

• tissues

• highlighter