The Basics of Chasing and Repousse with Judi Rowlands

About Judi

I’m Judi Rowlands, studied textiles at Goldsmiths and later became a primary teacher and then a head. Since my retirement in 2005 I have been learning jewellery and silversmithing techniques since 2005. I am now an avid chasing and repousse worker and have attended 8 masterclasses (Stella Campion, Fabrizio Acquafresca Nancy Megan Corwin, Rod Kelly etc). The emphasis at the beginning of these courses has been mainly concerned with preparing the pitch and the making of tools. On my course the emphasis is on using the tools and learning the techniques. JASSO has resources for these techniques in the workshop.

Course Aims

• 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.

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

By the end of the two days, you will be able to: –

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

Equipment:

Students will bring:

• A ball point pen
• Drawing implements
• Any off cuts of silver 0.6 to 0.8 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