Glass School

What You Will Learn

Overview

This class covers how to create and use sgraffito frit drawings within kiln formed glass. This process enables you to translate your drawn marks, sketches, patterns, and text into glass.

The sessions will cover making an investment block to draw on, the tools needed to create your imagery and the different artistic details you can include to make effective sgraffito glass drawings. It will discuss the materials needed to translate drawings into glass, the kiln preparation and packing, and the firing schedules. 

Projects will cover making glass drawings as stand-alone pieces, using these sgraffito drawings within fused tiles, and firing multiple drawings within thicker free-standing glass blocks. In addition, the coldworking and finishing of the pieces made will be covered.

Experience in glass cutting is beneficial for this masterclass

See more of Helen's work here: www.helenslaterglass.com/

Helen Slater Stokes Sgraffito Frit Drawing Materials List 2024.pdf

Duration 

Duration: 4 weeks, one session per week - total 6 hours

Please note that classes may be slightly longer or shorter depending on student questions.

Session times

• Tuesday 6th August 2024 - 5.30 pm-7.00 pm UK time (1.5 hours)
• Tuesday 13th August 2024 - 5.30 pm-7.00 pm UK time (1.5 hours)
• Tuesday 20th August 2024 - 5.30 pm-7.00 pm UK time (1.5 hours)
• Tuesday 27th August 2024 - 5.30 pm-7.00 pm UK time (1.5 hours)

Class Description

• How to design your sgraffito frit drawing
• The process of casting an investment block to work on.
• Translating your image onto your investment block
• Filling/Packing the drawing mould.
• Creating tiles that include your sgraffito frit drawing imagery.
• Firing multiple frit drawings within a thicker glass block.
• Finishing and fire polishing your pieces, using minimal equipment.
• All health & safety aspects of this process.
• All Firing Schedules.

Workshop Outcome:

• A series of standalone sgraffito frit drawings
• Fused glass tiles that incorporate your drawn imagery
• A larger/thicker free-standing glass block containing with multiple sgraffito drawings.
  
  

How it Works: 

• The course is made up of three live and interactive online sessions using the Zoom platform. We will send you a link to join the class closer to the time
• Helen will give a step-by-step tutorial with demonstrations, and you will have ample opportunity to ask her questions during the live class
• Each week she will demonstrate a technique for you to try between sessions
• A member of the Glass School team will also be in the Zoom class to assist you and Helen
• Mix with Helen and other students on our dedicated community page, open for the duration of the course. Then join our exclusive Glass School UK Online Glass Community Facebook group to continue to mix with those who have attended any of our online masterclasses
• A materials list is provided in the course navigation panel, so you can purchase what you need to create your pieces during the course. You don’t need absolutely everything on this list to be successful, Helen will discuss different ways to reach our technical goals

We believe that this is the best way to get the very most from the course, but if this doesn’t suit you that’s fine: - If you can’t get to your studio, you can still learn the techniques and benefit from Helen's extensive knowledge without making the pieces during the course itself.

This is a live online masterclass, but in case a student experiences issues with internet connection during the live class, a recording of each live session will be available to view until two weeks after the final session. This cannot be downloaded or shared and is only available for this limited time. By participating you agree to be recorded for this purpose.

These recordings will be available in the course navigation panel. 

What to Prepare

• You will need a computer, tablet, or phone with a camera and microphone in order to join the online classroom. If you are unfamiliar with using Zoom then please take some time to look at our guide, available in the navigation panel. 
• You should have a reliable internet connection, fast enough to make video calls or stream videos
• Please read the Student Participation Agreement
• Ensure that you have checked the materials list and purchased any materials you may require 
• A pen and paper to take any notes. 
• We restrict the class size to 25 people
• We teach using Bullseye Glass (CoE90)

Inclusivity:

We are committed to maintaining a respectful community where all our students can learn and develop their full potential, within a safe environment.

If you have a learning difference or any specific requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us prior to your lesson so we can accommodate you.

*Price excluding VAT is £150 The correct tax will be calculated at checkout based on your location.

There are 25 places available on this course. Our courses regularly reach that limit and so we advise booking a place at the earliest opportunity to avoid any disappointment. 

Cancellations up to 2 weeks before the course receive a 90% refund, after that date, a 50% refund will be given up to one week prior to the course, and no refund is given for cancellations after this time. In order to keep class costs low for all, we make no exceptions to this policy. In order to cancel your place on the course please contact [email protected]