Gold Application Techniques
with Charles Lewton Brain

CLASS DECRIPTION
This class lets students paint and design with different metal colors onto background metals. The results of a two year research project for the Society of North American goldsmiths, and 25 years of ongoing research. It includes fusion applications (gold painting), making doublee, Keum-boo, depletion gilding (tumbaga, guanin), fusion inlay, overlay, incised overlay procedures and a discussion of fire gilding and substitution approaches. Control factors for free compositional choice are defined and demonstrated. Many of the techniques work well under enamels as given in a presentation to the 1993 Enamelist Society Conference in Cincinnati. This is a very wide ranging and deep way of creating pattern on sheet metals.
PREREQUISITES
students should have a basic knowledge of soldering and sawing
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Master goldsmith Charles Lewton-Brain trained, studied and worked in Germany, Canada and the United States to learn the skills he uses. His work is concerned with Process and Beauty as well as function. He thinks of decision making in metal as drawing, working with the same sensibilities of mark and commitment as when working with pen and ink. Many pieces use a 'printmaking' approach to working metal, that is that the work is done in separate steps in groups and layers building towards the finished piece. Process and the tensions between nature and structure are part of his concerns. His work and writing on the results of his technical research have been published internationally. In 1994 Brain Press was established which documents, publishes and markets the results of his research activities.
Charles developed 'fold-forming', a series of techniques new to the metalsmithing field which allow rapid development of three dimensional surfaces and structures using simple equipment. He also published two major books in 2008, Foldforming with Brynmorgen Press, and The Jeweler's Bench Book with MJSA Press. Since 2012 he has co-juried the Lewton-Brain Foldforming Competition, an international online exhibition organized by the Center for Metal Arts and Sue Lacy.
Charles lived in Calgary since 1986 and served for 19 years as Head of the Jewellery/Metals Program at the Alberta College of Art and Design and teaches full time, writing articles, exhibiting, consulting and making work. In 1996 he began a web site collaboration with Dr. Hanuman Aspler in Thailand. The Ganoksin Project web site is now the largest educational site in the world for jewelers with over 4 million unique visitors a year who linger for an average of 20 pages and a 12,500 member archived, searchable discussion email list called Orchid. His writing started the site.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT STUDENTS SHOULD BRING
MATERIALS KIT $55 payable to BoMA
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 10. Students will be required to sign a waiver. Participants must be 18 or older.
CANCELLATION POLICY
This class lets students paint and design with different metal colors onto background metals. The results of a two year research project for the Society of North American goldsmiths, and 25 years of ongoing research. It includes fusion applications (gold painting), making doublee, Keum-boo, depletion gilding (tumbaga, guanin), fusion inlay, overlay, incised overlay procedures and a discussion of fire gilding and substitution approaches. Control factors for free compositional choice are defined and demonstrated. Many of the techniques work well under enamels as given in a presentation to the 1993 Enamelist Society Conference in Cincinnati. This is a very wide ranging and deep way of creating pattern on sheet metals.
PREREQUISITES
students should have a basic knowledge of soldering and sawing
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Master goldsmith Charles Lewton-Brain trained, studied and worked in Germany, Canada and the United States to learn the skills he uses. His work is concerned with Process and Beauty as well as function. He thinks of decision making in metal as drawing, working with the same sensibilities of mark and commitment as when working with pen and ink. Many pieces use a 'printmaking' approach to working metal, that is that the work is done in separate steps in groups and layers building towards the finished piece. Process and the tensions between nature and structure are part of his concerns. His work and writing on the results of his technical research have been published internationally. In 1994 Brain Press was established which documents, publishes and markets the results of his research activities.
Charles developed 'fold-forming', a series of techniques new to the metalsmithing field which allow rapid development of three dimensional surfaces and structures using simple equipment. He also published two major books in 2008, Foldforming with Brynmorgen Press, and The Jeweler's Bench Book with MJSA Press. Since 2012 he has co-juried the Lewton-Brain Foldforming Competition, an international online exhibition organized by the Center for Metal Arts and Sue Lacy.
Charles lived in Calgary since 1986 and served for 19 years as Head of the Jewellery/Metals Program at the Alberta College of Art and Design and teaches full time, writing articles, exhibiting, consulting and making work. In 1996 he began a web site collaboration with Dr. Hanuman Aspler in Thailand. The Ganoksin Project web site is now the largest educational site in the world for jewelers with over 4 million unique visitors a year who linger for an average of 20 pages and a 12,500 member archived, searchable discussion email list called Orchid. His writing started the site.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT STUDENTS SHOULD BRING
- Notebook, pens, camera to record samples if desired.
- Sterling sheet in mixed gauges
- Sterling wire,
- Various carat 16g gold wire or gold jewellery scrap to make wire and gold enamelling foil
- Or a minimum one gram 24k gold grain or sheet. (Suggested source is a coin shop)
- Solder and soldering equipment and supplies, a hemostat is recommended.
- Your favorite hand tools, saw, pliers, flex shaft etc. Silicon carbide separating discs, and flex shaft screw mandrel for them
- Safety glasses and ear plugs or muffs
- Emery paper selection
- Your favorite hammer, chasing tools, stamps, chasing tools etc.
- Cash or check made out to BoMA for materials kit*
MATERIALS KIT $55 payable to BoMA
- Thick copper sheet, 3 mm (1/8th inch), precut
- Nickel silver or brass wire, 22 gauge, (0.8mm)
- 16 g (1.5mm) sterling wire, a piece of sterling silver sheet metal, 18g (1.2mm about 1 inch square (2.5cm)
- One scrap gold ring or mixed scrap gold, about 3 grams for demonstration
- About 1 gram 24k gold for demonstration
- Household ammonia, table salt and some large glass or plastic lidded jars.
- Clear (transparent) auto enamel spray paint, (transparent lacquer)
- Selection of abrasive papers, (emery papers)
- Ferric chloride liquid for etching.
- Potassium Sulfide (liver of sulfur)
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 10. Students will be required to sign a waiver. Participants must be 18 or older.
CANCELLATION POLICY
- You may cancel up to 45 days prior to the start of the class and receive a full refund, less $25 processing. To cancel, send an email to info@bouldermetalsmiths.com.
- Cancellations less than 45 days prior to the start date will not be refunded,
- In the event we have to cancel a class, you will be notified prior to the start date and will be issued a full refund.
- Registration is not transferrable. You may not sell your seat to another student.