"Vitreous enamel, also called porcelain enamel, is a material made by fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 °C (1,380 and 1,560 °F)."
This involves the study of working with vitreous enamel to create decorative objects and jewelry.
Introduction to Enameling: An overview of the enamel process, its history, and its application in various art forms such as jewelry, sculpture, and pottery.
Enamel Materials and Tools: Understanding the different types of enamel materials used in creating enamel art and the equipment needed to apply and fire the enamel.
Enamel Techniques: Introduction to different enamel techniques such as cloisonné, champlevé, plique-à-jour, and fired-on enamel.
Enamel Effects: Understanding the different visual effects that can be achieved with enamel such as transparency, opacity, texture, and color gradations.
Enamel Safety: Understanding the safety measures needed when working with enamel including protective clothing, respiratory protection, eye protection, and proper handling and disposal of chemicals.
Firing Techniques: Understanding different firing methods used for enamel, such as kiln firing, torch firing, and cold enameling.
Enamel Troubleshooting: Learning how to diagnose and fix common problems that occur during the enamel process, such as cracking, bubbling, and discoloration.
Enamel Decoration: Techniques for decorating enamel surfaces, such as screen printing, sgraffito, and painting.
Enamel Maintenance: Understanding how to care for enamel pieces and prevent tarnishing or damage by storing them properly and cleaning them with appropriate methods.
Enamel History and Traditions: Detailed examination of the different cultural traditions and historical applications of enamel art forms.
Cloisonné Enameling: A technique that involves creating small partitions (cloisons) on a metal surface and filling the spaces with enamel.
Champlevé Enameling: A technique that involves carving out areas on a metal surface and filling them with enamel.
Plique-à-jour Enameling: A technique that involves creating an openwork design and filling it with translucent enamel to create a stained-glass effect.
Limoges Enameling: A technique that uses a specific type of enamel (Limoges enamel) and involves painting the enamel onto a metal surface and then firing it at high temperatures.
Grisaille Enameling: A technique that involves painting designs with a gray or black enamel onto a white or light-colored surface.
Basse-taille Enameling: A technique that involves carving a design into a metal surface and then filling the recessed areas with enamel.
Sgraffito Enameling: A technique that involves scratching designs into a layer of enamel that has been applied to a metal surface.
Torch-Fired Enameling: A technique that involves using a torch to melt the enamel onto the metal surface.
Resin Enameling: A technique that involves using epoxy resin mixed with colorful pigments to create an enamel-like finish.
Electroplated Enameling: A technique that involves using electricity to fuse a layer of enamel onto a metal surface.
"The word vitreous comes from the Latin vitreus, meaning 'glassy'."
"Enamel can be used on metal, glass, ceramics, stone, or any material that will withstand the fusing temperature."
"In technical terms, fired enamelware is an integrated layered composite of glass and another material (or more glass)."
"The term 'enamel' is most often restricted to work on metal, which is the subject of this article."
"Essentially the same technique used with other bases is known by different terms: on glass as enamelled glass, or 'painted glass'."
"The craft is called 'enamelling'."
"Enamelling is an old and widely adopted technology, for most of its history mainly used in jewellery and decorative art."
"Since the 18th century, enamels have also been applied to many metal consumer objects, such as some cooking vessels, steel sinks, and cast-iron bathtubs."
"It has also been used on some appliances, such as dishwashers, laundry machines, and refrigerators, and on marker boards and signage."
"The term 'enamel' has also sometimes been applied to industrial materials other than vitreous enamel, such as enamel paint and the polymers coating enameled wire."
"The word enamel comes from the Old High German word smelzan (to smelt) via the Old French esmail, or from a Latin word smaltum, first found in a 9th-century Life of Leo IV."
"'Enamelled' and 'enamelling' are the preferred spellings in British English."
"'Enameled' and 'enameling' are preferred in American English." Quotes: