Metal Embossin

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Advanced 3-D Art

Visual Arts Standards:• 1.5 Analyze the material used by a given

artist and describe how its use influences the meaning of the work. • 2.1 Solve a visual arts problem that involves

the effective use of the elements of art and the principles of design.• 5.2 Create a work of art that communicates

a cross-cultural or universal theme taken from literature or history.

Materials:• Copper-coated aluminum foil

(approx. 38-gauge), stylus tools, embossing molds, India ink, colored Sharpie markers

Materials:• *All students will need to provide a

functional object of their choice for this project, such as a plain picture frame, box, 3-D letter, or an empty tin can. You can make your item from scratch using chipboard or cardboard, buy something at a craft store (typically these items cost no more than a couple dollars), or repurpose an item from home.

Objectives:• To create a very detailed and

decorated design for a functional object • To use repoussé and chasing to create

a metal embossing• To work carefully with the metal so

you don’t poke a hole through it!

Vocabulary:• Embossing = A mark or

decoration made with a raised design or symbol; a type of relief sculpture

Metal Embossing• Embossing consists of two different

processes of shaping sheets of metal: repousse and chasing

Vocabulary:• Repousse = creating a raised relief

design on thin metal sheets by pressing from the reverse side

• Chasing = designing on the front of the work by sinking the metal (opposite of repousse)

Famous works made by repousse

The Great Dish, or Great Plate of Bacchus, from the Roman Mildenhall Treasure

Project Requirements:• Design includes some lettering (such as a

word or name)• Entire surface is covered with a variety of

relief designs• Metal is wrapped neatly around the object

and flaps glued carefully to the back/inside• Metal is “aged” using India ink or colored

using Sharpie marker

Examples

Papier-mâché 3-D letter

Small papier-

mâché or wood craft

box

Plain picture frame

Copper side finished with colored Sharpie

Aluminum side finished with India ink

Due Dates:• Mini embossing practice: Thursday

2/2• Functional object brought to class:

Friday 2/3• Template for project: Monday 2/6• Finished project: Monday 2/13

Today:Practice first by creating a 3” mini metal

embossing of your choice

1. Measure and draw a ½” border on a 3” square of paper

2. Draw your design in the center (may be a letter or any design of your choice)

3. Go over all lines with a black Sharpie marker so that the design shows thru on the back of the paper