About Enameling

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What is enameling? Vitreous enameling is a process by which powdered glass is fused to a metal substrate at high heat. Enamels can be applied to glass, ceramics, and most commonly, metals. The application of enamels can add color to metals such as copper, silver, gold. and specially coated steel. The powdered glass can be applied either wet or dry to a surface. The enamel melts, flows, and fuses to the surface in a smooth coating when heat is applied. Firing temperatures using a torch or a kiln generally range between 1400 and 1,650 degrees Fahrenheit. The way enamels are fired has a distinct effect on the texture and color of the enamel design, therefore enamelists must take many different variables into consideration before firing their piece. Enamel is composed of inorganic pigments and additives that each have various properties of opacity, translucent, and transparency. That composition will determine how the enamel is fired.

  Using enamel in its dry, finely ground form, the enamel is sifted using a small  container with a mesh screen on the bottom over the metal surface and fired. There are generally three levels of transparency of the glass: transparent (colored but see-through), opalescent (translucent), and opaque (solid color). Transparent enamels work well on copper or silver since light can shine through the layers and reflect the rich metal below. Opalescents are best used on silver and often used for portraiture renditions since they give a luminescent effect. Opaques can be used on all surfaces—as can the others.

Most people are familiar with this technique as it applies to fabrics, but images can be adhered to a silkscreen and enamel is either scraped or squeegeed through in a thin layer onto a metal surface and fired.

Limoges enamel is the most common type of painted enamel. While Limoges gets its name from a city in France, it has been used in several countries as a way to work the enamel into fine paintings. The Limoges enamel technique involves layering molten glass and painting on it. Then, artisans paint over the surface with white to mute the artwork.

Sgraffito is the act of scratching or drawing through a layer of enamel to the color or surface below.

 Cloisonné  is one of the earliest enameling techniques and is derived from the French word meaning “cell.”  Many people are familiar with cloisonné  jewelry or vases, which before mass production and in its true art form, requires the construction of thin metal “fences” or barriers to separate individual colors. The enamel is mixed with water, packed in each area, allowed to dry, and fired. As the glass melts, it sinks and becomes irregular, so this process is repeated until the glass colors bulge over the top. It is then ground down in a tedious process using various grits of stones and sandpaper, then cleaned and fired one last time to revive the glossy glass surface. Most cloisonné enamelists use silver, but some use copper.

Plique-à-jour is a vitreous enameling technique where the enamel is applied into cells made of gold or silver wire, similar to cloisonné, but with no metal backing, so that light can shine through the enamel. The result is a beautiful stained-glass effect. Plique-à-jour comes from the French word for “letting in daylight.”

The word champlevé means literally 'raised field', and is similar to the cloisonné  method except the metal (usually copper) is etched, and the etched recesses are filled with enamel to overflow the surface of the metal using the same technique of filling, firing, and grinding, polishing and firing.  The bare copper surface of champlevé when fired, however, creates blackened flakes called fire-scale, which must be cleaned between each firing.  After the final firing, a fixative may be applied to the finished piece to keep the copper from tarnishing.

Pronounced "gri-sigh" this method was originally used as underpainting for oil painting.  Grisaille enameling achieves a dramatic effect of light and shade. Often associated with medieval French enameling, grisaille is the application of white enamel to a black enamel background, creating halftones and shading. The word ‘grisaille’ means grey.

There are many other ways and combinations to create one of the most beautiful and enduring art forms. Almost always, there is considerable prepping and cleaning of the metal prior to being able to apply the enamel, and enamels must be kept immaculate, or it causes havoc with the firing process. There are over 200 techniques of enameling combined with a variety of materials to create stunning and unique works of art.  The ones listed here are some of the more common.

     There are many practical enameling applications likely found throughout your home, from the kitchen to your bathroom. From a practical standpoint, enameling is a quality method of strengthening materials and preventing metals from rusting. Occasionally, enameling is used inside of water heaters as a protective barrier in the inner tanks. This makes the plumbing resistant to high temperatures, highly resistant to rust, and lowers the chance of inner tank leakage. Cast iron enameled bathtubs and sinks are also enameled to prevent rust and can last hundreds of years. In your kitchen, you may own enameled plate ware, mugs, and cookware. Some of the most popular modern cookware is the cast iron enameled products made by Le Creuset. Steel whiteboards and chalkboards are also enameled.

  Modern industrial or large-scale enameling factories are constantly improving technology and the ability to work large. Very large kilns are used to fire large panels for objects like signs, public art, bathtubs, and more.