Cheryl, One of my favorite techniques – I’m always looking for
grisaille work. Grisaille means (roughly) “grey-ness.” In enameling
it’s an underpainting technique, in which you are creating a
monochrome look, using a black background with a buildup of white
overlays. Similar to camaieu, only you’re using the black ground
instead of transparent.
To achieve it, you start with a very very consistent matte
background of black. Similar to Limoges, you’re firing after every
color (or coat, in this case). Mix your white powder with oil, like
oil of lavender, to create a pasty substance. Subtle revealing of the
black through the white is achieved through hatchings using a needle
or smoother variegation using a spatula or brush. When you fire the
white, you have to take care that it does not start to flow and
obscure the outlines made. Continue to apply thinly and fire after
each coat, building up the white very carefully to achieve a
three-dimensional effect. What you’re looking for is strong contrast
between the light and the dark - creating an impression of low
relief. Sad to say I’ve never gotten very good at it in enamels (in
which I only dabble), but when it’s done well it’s absolutely
stunning – a favorite effect in fine art that I became fond of in
Vermeer and Hammershoi paintings. A contemporary painter I am fond
of, Chen Bolan, uses grisaille technique extensively in his work
(though he incorporates other colors as well). You can probably find
examples of his work on the net, to see the “look.”
The most beautiful enameled piece I’ve ever seen was by Mariane
Hunter. She incorporates foils into her grisaille work, and she uses
color instead of just black and white, but if you get a chance to
look at her work it’s a must-see. Also, D.X. Ross teaches classes on
the technique – I think she’s based out of Florida. I hope this was
helpful – and good luck!
Andrea Hill
Director
The Bell Group/Rio Grande