Enamelled Sketches

Using sheets of steel with enamel has its own qualities, and challenges!

In some ways it is more forgiving, it doesn’t warp as much as copper. The metal must be spotlessly clean before enamelling, does not like being put into a hot kiln - otherwise the enamel will ping off in a dramatic and unpredictable way!

I have been using steel to draw enamelled sketches. Working from my photos of trees and other views. Some works include some colour, but i enjoy the spontaneity of just sketching into the enamel.

Engraving back through the enamel exposes the steel which allows rusting. This adds another dimension to the sketches.