Get ready to dive into the captivating world of texture like never before! Join us in this exciting class where we'll unlock the secrets of creating mind-blowing texture using the ancient art of reticulating and granulating.
Discover the fascinating 5000+ year old technique, attributed to the brilliant Etruscans, and learn the ins and outs of preparing metals, selecting the perfect flame or torch, crafting your very own materials, and masterfully incorporating them into your artwork. This is the real deal. Eutectic fusing of granules to both sterling and reticulation silver.
We will meet LIVE online 7 times, with weekend and evening sessions. Can’t make it for each one, that’s perfectly fine! Each session is 2.5 to 3.5 hours long with plenty of time to work between classes. Access to recordings until August 24th so work at your own pace!
If that wasn’t enough, I’m tossing in a free 2 hour class on in-depth soldering that I produced and directed. You’ll be given access prior to the first class date.
You’ll also be invited to a closed/private FB group where we will have LIVE and recorded discussions. You’ll have access to me for 6 months after class, until November 24th, and as a class of intermediate to advanced artists, we can create a closed community to help when the need arises well after the class ends.
I hope when you have completed the class, and are done exploring the techniques, that you are overflowing with inspiration and creativity. You’ll have so many new tools in your toolbox. I can’t wait to see what you do with the techniques and knowledge?
It is live and recorded. Live sessions will be through Zoom. Recordings will be posted within 24 hours (or as soon as we can get them up which has been first thing the next morning in 100% of the previous classes) to the Online Learning Platform. Catch up when you can and post your questions on the FB Private Group. You have 6 months to get all your questions answered and 60 days to watch the videos as many times as you’d like, or August 24th. If you need additional time, you can still opt to view the recordings for $50 a month.
Within 12-24 hours the classes will be uploaded to the Online Learning Platform. You will be able to view the classes there 24/7 for 60 days or until August 24th. They are not downloadable.
May 23rd 4:30-7pm Pacific Time (4:30pm PT, 5:30pm MT, 6:30pm CT, 7:30pmET, 12:30am London)
June 6th 4:30-7pm Pacific Time (4:30pm PT, 5:30pm MT, 6:30pm CT, 7:30pmET, 12:30am London)
June 10th 4:30-7pm Pacific Time (4:30pm PT, 5:30pm MT, 6:30pm CT, 7:30pmET, 12:30am London)
June 13th 4:30-7pm Pacific Time (4:30pm PT, 5:30pm MT, 6:30pm CT, 7:30pmET, 12:30am London)
June 17th 4:30-7pm Pacific Time (4:30pm PT, 5:30pm MT, 6:30pm CT, 7:30pmET, 12:30am London)
June 20th 4:30-7pm Pacific Time (4:30pm PT, 5:30pm MT, 6:30pm CT, 7:30pmET, 12:30am London)
June 24th 4:30-7pm Pacific Time (4:30pm PT, 5:30pm MT, 6:30pm CT, 7:30pmET, 12:30am London)
**You do not need to be present for any or all of the LIVE classes. The classes will be posted to the online learning center for you to watch anytime that is convenient for you. You’ll have plenty of time between classes to catch up and you can ask any questions on the group which I will promptly answer.
There will be additional impromptu LIVE videos and recorded videos broadcast and posted on our Facebook Group.
You’ll get real time live classes with the best possible broadcasting equipment including 7 high resolution, 4k, cutting edge cameras and the best mic on the market. You’ll have different views to watch because seeing my hands is as important as seeing the up close surface fusing or a solder join flowing. Often in class you can never see the details from 6-10 feet away. So in many ways an online class is better. Plus you are at your own bench or in the comfort of your own home. You’ll have all your tools and be able to replicate it better because muscle memory in your studio at your bench is superior. Watch and rewatch. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and as you review your notes, if there is a question between sessions, I’ll be on call to answer them!
For Granulating, Reticulating & Fusing:
The perfect torch would be the EZ Orca Propane and Ambient Air ($159 at Otto Frei + $7 propane tank). It’s my go to torch from reticulation and fusing. If I’m not using my German BlowPipe Torch for granulating or fusing, I’m using the EZ Orca. I’ve got a video on Instagram that shows how easy it is to use. It’s portable and runs off small 1lb camping tanks that pose little to no danger in your studio.
A good alternative torch for this class would be the Smith Acetylene Ambient Air Torch. Not the Little Smith. This is a different torch. Although acetylene is dirty, it can be used to accomplish these techniques.
A hot torch like the Little Smith or Swiss is not going to work for granulating, reticulating or fusing. You need a reducing flame (billowy flame) for these techniques.
For Soldering:
It’s best if you have a oxy/propane torch like the Swiss or Little Smith.
However if you are proficient at the butane torch this would be fine for soldering. Also the acetylene is a good overall torch for this.
Basically whatever torch you use now for soldering will work fine. Many people solder with the EZ Orca also. It’s a great all around torch to use for this class! Plus you can use these small propane tanks in your apartment, just like the butane.
I usually don’t sell kits at classes because they are frankly time consuming to procure and assemble. There is not enough mark up to warrant doing them from a business standpoint. However I make an exception when I know that it would be so time consuming and costly for you to get the supplies from many different places and pay the shipping from so many places. So the kits will include materials and consumables that you might need. Tools are only included if I think it would benefit you.
Buying the materials for the kits is an expensive outlay of money tied up in a product that fluctuates in price. I do my best to time the purchase at the best time. I also get better deals when I am ordering 250 ounces versus you ordering 3 ounces.
So no you do not have to buy a kit, but I’ve included you in the numbers that I procured in hopes you would need one. I will let you know what’s in the kit so if you want to procure your own things you can however I can’t do partial kits unless it’s offered at the end of class.
I am the newest USA distributor for argentium and fine silver granules. Otto Frei and Rio Grande have both discontinued carrying them. You can purchase a basic no-granule kit for around $38, a 1/2 gram kit for around $135, or a 1 gram kit for around $200. The kits will have granulation glue, granules, a turntable, brush, copper salts and more.