Technique: Repousse and Chasing
Project: Veteran’s Day Medals to be hung for
Grandparent’s Day
Mezz Art
(Parent-led Art)
Grade: 4th
Materials:
Amaco black foil metal
sheets, light (cut into 5” circles; 2 per student)
Scrap squares of foil (1 per student)
Chipboard (1 per student)
“Kilt Pins” ( 1 per student)
Tri-color grosgrain ribbon (cut into 5” pieces, hot-glued in
a “V” to kilt pins; 1 per student))
4” cardboard coasters (2 per student)
Silver and/or gold metallic pencils (1 per student)
3D glue dots (6 per student)
Paintbrush (use rounded back end for designing
respousse-side)
Background:
Repousse is a form of relief sculpture where a design is
pressed (embossed) into the back of a metal sheet. This creates a three-dimensional surface on
the reverse side of the metal. The metal
is flipped over, and now the design can be seen popping out towards you. Chasing is then applied to the whole surface,
except the relief design that is
sticking up. This creates an even more
dramatic “relief”. Said another way, chasing
is the opposite of repousee – it is where the background of the design is pushed
back. The two techniques of repousse and
chasing are used simultaneously (together) to stretch the metal in both
directions to extreme dimensions.
Respousse and chasing have a long history from Egyptian
times, to both Native Northe and South American Cultures, Ancient Rome and
decorative arts in Europe. The Statue of
Liberty is even an example of Repousee done by hammer into large sheets of
copper, and then combined.
Project:
Give each student a practice square of foil. Together demo and practice a simple dot and
line repousee design from the back. Flip
the foil square over and “chase” the background of the design with the metallic
pencil. Color solidly, and with
pressing, but not to the point of ripping.
This should create a very clear example to the students of the extreme
dimensions to which the metal can be stretched.
Students then design their own “Veteran’s Day” medals of
honor. Each circle can be a different
design, to create both sides of the “medal”.
The edges of each design is then carefully folded over a cardboard
coaster. Affix about 6 glue dots to the
back of one of the coasters. Lay the
point of the ribbon with the kilt pin on top of one of the glue dots, with the
majority of the ribbon and pin hanging out.
Place the other side of the medal on top, sandwiching the ribbon inside.
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