Much of my work has to do with implementing color in various forms: by setting gemstones, applying colored resin, incorporating paper cuttings or adding fibers, silk, felt, cords and more.
The use of colored pencils on metal seemed a very attractive path to explore and the last issue of Art Jewelry Magazine (July 2010) provided just the perfect incentive for it: Jill L. Erickson has written a very detailed article on How to Layer Colored Pencil on Copper.
I ordered a box of prismacolor pencils and while waiting for some more supplies to come, I decided to start playing with what was available. What I’m missing at the moment is the Workable Fixative, which is supposed to be sprayed on the piece, after each layer of color. My good friend Mary Lu Wason has recently tried this technique on these rings, without using Fixative. Instead she sprayed with Matte Finish between layers and that encouraged me to give it an earlier try.
This is the textured sample copper piece, after gesso has been applied. I think this was my first mistake, the gesso doesn’t seem to be applied quite well, the brush strokes are too strong.
The first layer of color, sprayed with Matte Finish:
More layers and spray between each one:
Looks like we are getting somewhere! Turpentine has been applied to help blend the colors:
This is the final piece, after being tired of applying colors and spay for so long!
Of course this is not what it’s supposed to look like. I have to experiment a lot more, which is something I’m looking forward to!
But I can always make some rings for Ring-a-Day by cutting this test piece, right?
Some additional Info:
- Video: Layering colored pencil on metal
- Deb Karash Jewelry: Exceptional jewelry, using her signature technique of adding colored pencils on metal.
