Creating a Domed Sgraffito Enamel Component with Ricky Frank

Join renowned enamelist and jeweler Ricky Frank as he creates a domed enamel component using sgraffito, a technique of scratching through a surface to reveal a lower layer of contrasting colors. Learn a variety of expert tips for dealing with enamel as Ricky demonstrates this process step-by-step.
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[@silentscribes1905]

sweet video this guy is cool, he knows his stuff

[@moodylicious]

I believe it rather important to see the back (white) side, of the finished piece, to see how all that direct heat affected the finish. But there is enough shown in this helpful demo for me to try it and see what happens to the back or counter-enameled side.

[@fnyfrm]

What mesh are you using to shift the colors on with ? Thank you !

[@teristeinborn4872]

Just curious, why didn't you use Klyrfire? Is that about the most you're comfortable with as far as coming the piece? Certainly, I can understand why you wouldn't want to go crazy!!! Thank you for sharing this fabulous tutorial! Most of all, thank you for your time! Teri

[@julietmiller-martin4005]

Which white do you use for the first layer?

[@DianneCulbertsonJacques]

I am getting my first enameling supply order from Rio later today! I saw somewhere in the myriad of videos I have watched that if I use transparent enamel I have to use a flux of some sort first...I can't find it now. Can I use a transparent on bare copper?

[@rfenamels]

Divella Designs many transparent colors do not look good direct on copper due to chemical reactions with the metal. I always find it helpful to make a series of quick test samples so that I know what to expect. This is a common and expected practice for every enamelist in their learning process.

[@lesliescholz403]

I noticed you did not clean the fire scale off the metal before sifting that second time to the front of the piece? No issues with glass coming off then? In my intro class, they kept emphasizing the need for clean metal??? Thanks in advance?

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi Leslie - Great question. Technically, the enamel is a "flux" meaning that the enamel will absorb oxides. If the fire scale has grown really thick, then the enamel will have a problem adhering to the metal; however, you do not need to remove all of the oxides (especially with opaque enamels). You can actually use the fire scale as a design element in your pieces! A member of our Jewelry Tech Team said he would remove all oxides if you are working with transparent because that will affect the color. We hope this is helpful!

[@LeslieKailVillarreal]

doesn't the back side of your piece turn Gray from the torch?

[@rfenamels]

the white enamel on the back may turn different colors, depending on the type of flame used. enamels can have a reaction to the gases.

[@starvingartistscollective]

Great video!!! Don't know if Rio is still answering comments but here goes..... have just been given my Grandmother's lead based enamels from the 1970s and want to torch fire, can this be done? Obviously extra care with ventilation, mask and handling but are there any other setbacks? Can lead enamels be used with unleaded enamels? If so, lead over unleaded or other way? Any other information or referrals would be great. TFS!!!!

[@RioGrande1944]

Yes, you can torch fire with leaded enamels. You will want to make sure that you fire the unleaded on the bottom and the leaded on top. The leaded enamels will have a lower melting temperature so if you fire those first, the leaded enamels will start to bleed into the unleaded enamels causing different colors.

[@MichellesHandmadeCreations]

Ah ha! Now I know the need for counter-enameling. Good to know! Scraffito looks fun. Can more than 2 layers be done? Say if you added another color on top of the red/white swirl, can you scratch away the top layer a little to reveal the red/white layer a little without the whole thing becoming a blog of blended colors? Please advise . . .

[@RioGrande1944]

Hey again, +boxer3086! Yes, you can! It has been done with more than two colors, too. You may want to use opaque colors so the color doesn’t bleed through on the different layers. Let us know if you have any further questions!

[@MichellesHandmadeCreations]

Good to know. Will give it a whirl. Appreciate your quick response!

[@JennysSandBox]

Did you spray an adhesive on it before you put white?

[@rfenamels]

Here is another case of "breaking the enamel rules". When enamel rests on a horizontal surface, gravity holds the grains in place. Glue may be used to keep grains in place for delicate "scrafitto" type drawing or to create crisp edges, but adhesive does not need to be used to hold the enamel in place for most firings on a flat or slightly domed surface. The glue's purpose is to hold the enamel in place until the enamel has melted. It does not aid in the bonding between the enamel and the metal surface.

[@JennysSandBox]

Thank you so very much for your insight.

[@ritagjefle3995]

TOTALLY new to enameling! What type of torch do I need to have? I have a creme brûlée-type torch and a butane torch. Would either of those be sufficient?

[@RioGrande1944]

Hi Rita, Thanks for watching & welcome to the world of enameling! You might like to read some of the resources on the Rio Grande Blog. This article talks specifically about torch firing vs. kiln firing enamel. It states that a butane torch will work just fine for smaller pieces. You can read the article here: riograndeblog.com/enameling-102-kiln-firing-vs-torch-firing/ Hope this helps!

[@TheLloosa]

Is it necessary to do enamelling on backside?

[@RioGrande1944]

Yes, you need to counter enamel the piece to help normalize stress and help to prevent cracking!

[@TheLloosa]

@@RioGrande1944 are there any other options other than counter enameling? cant we do it without counter?

[@wontollawolf]

Dipping the still warm enameled piece in water makes me feel a little bit nervous , because it is against one of the main rules of enameling :avoiding thermal shock . I think these actions of cooling in water could be removed by editing the video first . A good enameled item must be done only by respecting the "golden" rules of the process . Subsequent cracks and other problems related to the quality of the enamel can not be accepted due to the impatience of the person who explains this delicate and complicated process of enameling. One of the qualities of an enamelist must be patience . This video gives me the impression that is made on the run . I can not agree with this way of teaching enameling process. People want to learn how to make art, not kitchen pot lids enameling . With all due respect for Mr. Ricky Frank .

[@rfenamels]

I don't believe in "rules of enameling". what works, works. I had an enamelist of 30 years experience show me this "trick" when i was teaching a room full of enamelists at an enamelist conference several years ago. when the enamel is quenched, small cracks do develop. SINCE I AM GOING TO FIRE THIS PIECE AGAIN THOSE CRACKS WILL HEAL. PERHAPS I SHOULD MAKE THIS CLEAR WHEN DEMONSTRATING. i don't quench on a final firing in order to preserve the quality of the piece. have even quenched a cloisonne' enamel. I quench when the piece has cooled down slightly about 10 seconds). and these are small , very thin copper or silver so they are very light in weight/mass. . less thermal shock as a smaller pieces takes less time to cool down. But i have to disagree with this concept of patience. I am one of the most impatient people one might meet. I take my time when it is necessary to achieve a specific effect or result. But i hate wasting time. Patience does not mean taking longer to do something when it is not required. I fire almost all of my cloisonne' colors in two firings; many enamelists expand on the virtues of 8 or more layers of color. what is the point of that if i can figure out ways to get a similar or even better look using less time? I'm sorry but there are no "rules". There are actions, and there are results. If you like the results you will be pleased. If you don't like the results then change your goal or try another way until you get the result you like. It's the same in life as in enameling.

[@wontollawolf]

Ricky Frank Thank you for your reply . I don't think it's necessary to explain how bad someone feels when a small piece has minor defects or cracks on its surface . The smaller the piece , the worst . Or to explain why the famous enamel companies are "wasting" so much time- months of special treatment - to get the best quality for their enamels , respecting strictly formulas and the rules their ancestors had made , in order to make the best quality materials for their customers ... And most of all , looking for perfection require a lot of patience . Otherwise , we can do things randomly , only for fun . Or using resins . My best regards , Giacomo