BASSE-TAILLE AND GRISAILLE

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BASSE-TAILLE AND GRISAILLE

Basse-taille is similar to Champlevé. The difference being, that the etching / engraving is to different depths. The entire surface is then enamelled. The deeper parts of the engraved area, appears darker then other parts.

Grisaille enamel (sometimes called painted enamel), starts with a white vitreous enamel, mixed with water or klyr-fire gum solution, to produce a paste. This is painted onto the metal surface and fired. Enamel composed of fine metallic oxides (dark enamels), are then built up layer after layer, being applied with a paint brush. After the addition of each layer, firing in a kiln takes place. This builds up a 3D effect.
Alternatively, a black or dark blue vitreous enamel background is applied first, followed by layer after layer of white enamel. Again, firing takes place after the addition of a layer. The result is a 3D monochrome effect, due to the different variations in light and dark shade. Lighter areas of a design are achieved by adding thicker layers of white enamel. Shades of grey are produced by adding thinner layers, allowing more of the dark base colour to show through.
The overall appearance of the final completed grisaille enamelling, whether using a white or a dark background, gives strong contrasts between lighter and darker areas.

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