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Interpretive Chasing & Repoussé; Creating Character with Depth and Expression
Telling stories in a single piece through interpretive chasing is all about creating expression and direction by enhancing emotional responses in the characters you depict. This is not a course about design and formalized abstract chasing techniques for decoration. We will be developing elements that make up story compositions that include human and animal character.
Working in copper, students will be given an animal drawing to chase and raise as the first stage. After you have chased the initial drawing there are a thousand ways to create the expression that tells a story by bringing your character to life. From there we’ll move to human faces. Students will compare their work to discover how many different expressions each one will find from the same faces depending on how they raise the metal.
Some experience with chasing & repoussé is a plus but beginners are welcome as are advanced students.
Please be advised: Due to the need to order supplies, we customarily close registration for our on-site offerings one week before the start date. If you wish to join the class after registration closes, please contact us at [email protected] or 781-891-3854.
Meet the instructor
"I have been a silver & goldsmith flutemaker since 1976 and began chasing/repoussé in 1995. I studied with several chasing masters including Valentin Yotkov, Henry Spencer, and Victoria Lansford and won 2008 Saul Bell Award 1st prize for one of my chased flutes. My work has been exhibited in galleries and sold to flutists and collectors around the globe.
I began chasing to tell stories on my flute keys and have expanded from there to wall art. To tell stories, I developed a specialty of “interpretive” chasing to enhance emotional responses in the animal and human characters in each frame I chase rather than explicitly following the initial drawing. I have created an accurate way of transferring drawings of even the smallest detail to a metal blank. Even though silver is my favorite medium, because of the high cost of precious metals I currently work and teach with copper and bronze. I look forward to sharing my concepts and techniques with students to help expand their repertoire of skills in this incredible artform."
Materials & Tools
Note: Metalwerx has available all that you will need, but these tools and supplies need to be shared, and are not always in "mint" condition. Be sure to clearly mark any tools you bring from your home studio so they are easily identifiable.
REQUIRED:
Closed-toe shoes - required in the Metalwerx studio
Personal PPE (dust mask/respirator, eye protection, gloves, earplugs, apron, etc.)
Shop towel
Ultra-fine point sharpie marker – black
Sketchbook/Notebook
Pen or Pencil
OPTIONAL:
Favorite hand tools - clearly labeled or marked
Any chasing tools you may already have
Your favorite chasing hammer
Imagery to use as inspiration for your characters
Vision Aid (readers or Optivisor, etc.)
Lunch – there will be a 1-hour break for lunch on each day of the workshop
Metalwerx has a fridge, toaster oven, and microwave
There is a deli/sandwich shop within walking distance of the studio.