October 13, 2010 10:24 PM EDT
Erin, look at the book by Margaret Seeler, who did enamels with an opaque under transparent color in cloisonne. She would wet-inlay it to 'sculpt' the high and low levels in figures so as to achieve modeling of the forms. High places of light op. would be nearer the surface of the trans. over-colors, to show up as musculature. The deeper layer of transparent appears darker in tone. This is the shadow of the modeling. I have done it in a small portrait, now gone, with nice results. So put down the sifter and wet inlay varied heights of opaque cream, or ivory, or white. Just be certain to dry it completely. A slower fusing or 'hard' opaque works best, to avoid too much flow to level. Don't fire it completely level, or it is lost as modeling. Then sift or lay in layers of medium fusing trans color. Stone or grind level and flash fire.
Erin, look at the book by Margaret Seeler, who did enamels with an opaque under transparent color in cloisonne. She would wet-inlay it to 'sculpt' the high and low levels in figures so as to achieve modeling of the forms. High places of light op. would be nearer the surface of the trans. over-colors, to show up as musculature. The deeper layer of transparent appears darker in tone. This is the shadow of the modeling. I have done it in a small portrait, now gone, with nice results. So put down the sifter and wet inlay varied heights of opaque cream, or ivory, or white. Just be certain to dry it completely. A slower fusing or 'hard' opaque works best, to avoid too much flow to level. Don't fire it completely level, or it is lost as modeling. Then sift or lay in layers of medium fusing trans color. Stone or grind level and flash fire.