Hi everyone I am trying to get the crackle technique with large cells. In the thompson book it says crackle first and then two layers of liquid enamel. Does anyone have any tips for me? Im not having much success and can't find much on how to's online.

Hi Kathleen,

If you are on Facebook there are a couple of groups that share techniques: Enamel Surface Design, Painting with Fire and Liquid Enamel on Metal, check them out.

When I use crackle, I mist the metal with a mixture of klyr-fire and water, sift on the crackle, misting between layers, sift on 2-3 enamels, use a combination of opaque and transparent, then let it dry and fire.

I kiln fire first, let it go longer than usual. If I don't get the cells I want I go back with a torch and focus the heat where I want. Sometime I also add another layer of enamels and fire again, longer.  Domed shapes work better with crackle, but flat do work too.

Some enamelists on Painting with Fire use 6/20crackle (from the Etsy shop Painting with Fire). Fire a base layer, fire a layer of 6/20 "bits" then sift your colors and fire again. The 6/20 is almost like flakes or pieces and cause large cells.

Hope that helps!

Anne, Thank you, that helps a lot. Cant wait to try some of these ideas.