Enamels as Resists: Using Enamel to Create Patterns and Textures
In addition to decorating metal with color, enamels can also be used as resists to protect areas of metal from etching, patinas, or other surface effects. By applying enamel in strategic designs, beautiful patterns emerge on the bare metal when the surrounding areas are altered. Enamel resists create varied textures, reveal core metals, and allow more intricate details than possible by hand. With some creative experimenting, enamelists can take advantage of resist properties to make metal canvases truly pop.
How Enamel Resists Work
The glassy enamel adheres to and seals the metal surface during firing, acting as a barrier against various finishing processes applied afterwards.
Impervious to Acids and Oxidation
The smooth finish and glass chemistry make enamels resistant to etching acids, liver of sulfur, and other oxidizing treatments.
Maintains Original Metal Appearance
Wherever applied, enamels preserve the bare metal’s original smooth surface and color underneath by blocking interactions with patinas.
Provides Sharp Definition
The enamel prevents diffusion effects, creating very defined edges and crisp reserves of untreated metal.
Range of Possible Textures
Surrounding metal finishes like etching, hammering, verdigris, etc. make enamel resistors stand out in relief.
Can Be Removed
In some cases, the resisting enamel layer can be ground off after processing the metal to integrate the design.
Selecting a Metal Substrate for Enamel Resists
The composition of the metal background impacts the palette of possible resist effects.
Sterling Silver
Sterling readily accepts colorful oxidation and sulfide patinas around enamel resistors for high contrast.
Fine Silver
Pure silver offers a bright, reflective surface to contrast vintage patinas achieved on exposed areas.
Copper
Copper patinates into rich rainbow hues that make enamel resists pop. It also etches deeply.
Brass
Brass can be patinated, etched, or heat colored around enamel to yield a wide spectrum of effects.
Steel
For industrial style, enamel resist patterns shine against dark aged steel backgrounds.
Cleaning and Preparing the Metal Blank
Thorough metal preparation provides the pristine foundation required for quality resist results.
- Remove all oils, films, residue with solvents
- Sand/abrade surface to create tooth
- Anneal and flatten sheet metal blanks
- Attach bezel or bail findings if desired
- Cleanse again before applying enamel
Properly prepped metal allows the enamel to fuse smoothly and evenly across desired areas for maximum resisting power.
Planning Your Enamel Resist Design
Take time to thoughtfully compose your enameled design and consider the resulting exposed metal patterns created.
Simple Geometric Shapes
Rings, dots, squares, triangles, and lines result in minimalist combinations with the metal background.
Symmetrical Repeating Patterns
Resist designs like grids, radiating lines, tessellations, and concentric shapes create mesmerizing graphical effects.
Freeform Natural Shapes
Flowing organic enamel shapes like branches, leaves, feathers, or veins contrast with structured metal textures.
Strategic Sparse Distribution
Allow large sections of background metal to dominate and use enamel accents for emphasis.
Text as a Resist
Apply names, dates, quotes, or words as enamel resistors onto the metal surface.
Application Techniques for Quality Resists
Careful enamel application ensures it will properly shield areas against finishes.
Even Coverage
Apply enamelopaque layers to fully seal the metal without thin spots or bare areas.
Defined Edges
Keep enamel shapes crisp with no feathering for very clean outlines.
Avoiding Movement
Prevent enamels from shifting or smearing into uncoated areas during firing.
No Metal Grains Underneath
Check there are no bits of metal stuck under enamel resistors before firing.
Test Samples
Try a test piece first to judge enamel thickness needed for a complete resist barrier.
Metal Finishing Processes for Exposed Areas
Many options exist for altering the bare metal around the enamel shapes.
Etching Acids
Swab or dip in ferric chloride, nitric, or sulfuric acid to erode revealed metal.
Liver of Sulfur
Paint on liver of sulfur solution to blacken silver or add rainbow toning to copper around resists.
Patinas
Brush specialty patinas like verdigris or add heat effects.
Abrasives
Sandblast, wire brush, or file exposed metal to create linear textures around smooth enamel.
Hammer and Stamp
Add hammer marks, letter punch impressions, or other indentations around resists.
Mixed Colors and Textures
Combine multiple finishing techniques on different bare metal areas for unique resisting effects.
Removing Enamel Resists
In some cases, grinding or sanding down the resisting enamel after processing the metal can integrate it into the overall design. Take care not to damage the metal.
Considerations for enamel removal:
- Will the removal benefit the design or damage it?
- What tools are best suited to remove enamel smoothly?
- How will layers be rebuilt if needed?
- Can the enamel add dimension if left raised?
Test first before removing on a finished piece.
Inspiring Applications for Enamel Resists
Beyond jewelry, enamel resists can elevate all kinds of metalwork:
Decorative Bowls
Apply concentric enamel rings on bowls as resists against patinated copper backgrounds.
Wall Panels
Inlay enamel shapes into wall hangings before chemically coloring the metal background.
Sculptural Boxes
Use calligraphy enamel resists on engraved bronze boxes with oxidized recesses.
Architectural Features
Coat key design spots on handrails, grates, or sconces with enamel before antique finishing.
Hardware
Make drawer pulls or hinges into art by surrounding enamel areas with verdigris.
Achieving Quality Results
Mastering enamel resists requires careful observation. Focus on:
- Balanced contrasting designs
- Impeccably prepared metal blanks
- Tested application thickness
- Precisely defined enamel edges
- Evenly processed metal textures
- Consistent execution of finishes
With practice using enamels as shields, you can create mesmerizing combinations of colors, patterns, and textures. Discover new ways of making your mark!