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Italian Artisan Courses in Florence, Italy

Relief work in metal
Chasing and Repoussé
(cesello e sbalzo)

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 What is chasing and repoussé:
Embossing or repoussé is a typical decorative technique used on precious materials, such as gold and silver, copper and bronze. It consists in reducing the metal into a thin plate and then creating the image required in relief by modeling it in the negative from the back. The prepared embossed plate is then usually finished off with engravings, the plate is placed on a pliable support, formed of pitch, to prevent it from breaking. This is introduced into the interior of objects in full relief.

Engraving or chasing technique is used for the decoration of the surfaces of objects that have been made by hammering or casting. The desired design is engraved on the metal with grooves whose forms and sizes depend on the shape of the different tools used. It is the opposite technique to repoussé, and the two are used in conjunction to create a finished piece.

The craft of Chasing and Repoussé dates from antiquity and was widely used in the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Hellenic, Roman and consequently Renaissance periods.

 Course description, method and objectives:
Our Chasing and Repoussé courses have been structured to give students a great amount of practical skill in a short period of time. Students will learn to use their skill, their tools, and basic design theory in order to plan and create their own piece of work in metal. At the end of the course, the students will have acquired a new way to implement their artistic vision.

These courses provide 3 fundamental stages of technical and practical instruction for metalwork. Students will be given lessons in technique, and then learn step by step how to apply these skills. The last stage of the course reviews what has been learned throughout, and focuses on the planning and implementation of a complete work.

Lectures and practical demonstration will be used to teach various techniques. Students will work at the bench with individual help from the teacher. This course is taught by master craftsman Fabrizio Acquafresca.

LESSONS
-Introduction to chasing and repousse - Theory.
-Materials and tools knowledge - Theory + Practice.
-Most significant chasing study and achievement - Theory + Practice.
-Technical design introduction - Theory
-Subject plan + design making.
-Project development: tar preparation, designer transfer on metal, work execution.
-Project finishing.

Example projects:
 


 Course outlines:
Note: All levels can be personalized to best fit student's skills.

Level 1 - INTENSIVE 1 WEEK COURSE (26 HOURS) - 18 hrs + 8 hrs studio time
Fee: € 600
1) Introduction to the course and the use of tools. Illustration of various sawing and piercing technique using different material, selection of material metal. Students will begin work at the bench.
Beginning of practical execution of a project assigned by the tutor.
2) Elaborate a new project of your choice, still under the guidance of your tutor.
3) Continuing work on above project or elaborate a new one.

Schedule:
day 1 - 6 hours with teacher
day 2 - 4 hours studio time
day 3 - 6 hours with teacher
day 4 - 4 hours studio time
day 5 - 6 hours with teacher


Level 2 - 1 WEEK COURSE, 6 HOURS PER DAY (30 HOURS)
Fee: € 900
1) Introduction to the course and the use of tools. Illustration of various sawing and piercing technique using different material, selection of material metal. Students will begin work at the bench.
Beginning of practical execution of a project assigned by the tutor.
2) Elaborate a new project of your choice, still under the guidance of your tutor.
3) Continuing work on above project or elaborate a new one.
4) More work on project.
5) Guide tour to workshop. (Homework: study a new project).
6) Start on studied project.
7) Continuing work on present project.

Level 3 - 3 WEEKS, 6 HOURS PER DAY (90 HOURS)
Fee: € 2200
1) Introduction to the course and the use of tools. Illustration of various sawing and piercing technique using different material, selection of material metal. Students will begin work at the bench.
Beginning of practical execution of a project assigned by the tutor.
2) Elaborate a new project of your choice, still under the guidance of your tutor.
3) Continuing work on above project or elaborate a new one.
4) Project work.
5) Plan a new project.
6) Start on studied project.
7) Continuing work on present project.
8) Start a new one or continuing work on the above project.
9) The making of tools. (Homework: study a new project).
10) Start a new project or making tools.
11) Study of a glass starting from metal sheet.
12) Work on above project and using the technique of snarling or repousse on tar.
13) Start chiseling the glass.
14) Project work.

Courses list | How to register | Accommodation | About the teachers