Chasing and Repousse with Judi Rowlands

21st & 22nd November 2026 – 09:30-1700 – £140.00 – BOOK NOW

About the Tutor

Judi Rowlands, studied textiles at Goldsmiths and later became a primary teacher and then head teacher. She has mastered many jewellery and silversmithing techniques and is an avid chasing and repousse worker.

Chasing and Repousse

Chasing and Repousse are complementary techniques used to manipulate the surface of a flat sheet of metal.

Chasing is linear and usually worked first setting out the lines of your design.

Repousse makes your design three dimensional, working from both the front and the back. Repousse can give the effect of having thick metal while maintaining a lightness. This is advantageous in making decorative and textured jewellery.

All processes are done when the piece of metal is supported on pitch.

Course Aims

The course is intended for both beginners and more experienced students.

For beginners:

You will need to be able to use a hammer with some accuracy. There is no preparation required ahead of the course.

  • The focus is on using and becoming more confident with chasing and repousse punches.
  • To understand what the different punches are used for.
  • How C and R can be used in a variety of ways to enhance your work.

You will be working on copper provided by the tutor. You will be led through a series of technical exercises to understand and get used to using the tools, a hammer with different shaped punches. You can then choose a design to transfer onto the metal or maybe your own design. Simple designs will be the most effective.

By the end of the two days, you will have Chasing and Repousse samples in copper or silver and be able to: –

  • Secure your metal onto pitch, remove it and burn off the residue pitch
  • Transfer a design onto metal
  • Chase a linear pattern or design
  • Think in 3D using repousse to work metal up or down between the chased outline
  • How to add texture to your work.
  • All technical equipment will be provided
  • Reference notes and design resources will be provided
  • Advice on ways to source your own tools and pitch

For more experienced students:

You are welcome to join the course and work on your own design. You should bring your own silver or copper, but help and advice will be available from the tutor.

Equipment:

Students should bring:

  • A ball point pen
  • Drawing implements
  • Any off cuts of silver 0.6mm to 0.8mm in thickness
  • A scriber (Judi has some to borrow)
  • If you have any of the items below

The tutor will bring:

  • Detailed timetable for the day
  • Copper sheet
  • Carbon paper
  • Tracing paper
  • Double sided tape
  • Old knife
  • Heat gun
  • Old reversible tweezers
  • Metal baking tins
  • Hammers
  • Pitch bowls both red and black plus supports
  • Lip balm
  • Doming punches
  • Variety of punches
  • Scribers
  • Fragments of wet and dry paper
  • Kitchen towel
  • Plasticine
  • small jar with a fragment of rag
  • Parallel pliers
  • Reference and design books

Copper Squares can be provided to students for £1 per square.