WORKSHOPS:
2025 In-Person Workshops
May Workshop
Draw & Paint with Enamel (glass) on Steel
4-Day Workshop with Alisa Looney
Go into depth with enamel on steel at our Bend, Oregon Studio.
One spot left in this class.
This 4-day workshop is open to 3 participants to create a wall relief or sculpture, jewelry elements & small test panels. Learn to design, cut and shape steel, prepare surface, then apply ground coat and several Kiln-fired layers of glass to create a lustrous and colorful finish that will never fade. This workshop will include drawing, painting and shading with enamels.
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- Hours daily: 10-5, with lunch break from 1-2.
- Dates: May 12-15
- Cost: $725, plus $75 materials fee, (Min. Deposit of $375 to hold your space, Balance of $350, plus $75 Materials fee due on first day of workshop).
- Deadline to register: April 19th
Email Alisa at alisa@alooney.com to check availability.
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June Combo Workshop
Nature-Sketch / Block Printing / Enameling
5-Day River Art Adventure Workshop
With Wade Womack & Alisa Looney
at our Bend, Oregon Studio
Two spots left in this class.
We are stoked to offer this 5-day River Art Adventure Workshop for curious
creatives who are eager to spend some time in nature Sketching, Block Printing
and Enameling with Glass on Steel at our studio in beautiful Central Oregon!
On day 1 Alisa and Wade will share what is possible with each technique. Then students will begin sketching in the woods, capturing images of water, trees, birds, rocks or reflections, to incorporate into prints and enamels.
On day 2 and 5 students will create choice of two different lino-cut prints, or one two color print, with time to dry between classes. Hand painting prints will also be covered.
On day 3 and 4, Students will enamel test panels, jewelry elements, and Choice of small Wall Relief mask, small Panel or Cup.
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- Hours daily: 10-5, with lunch break from 1-2.
- Dates: June 23-27
- Cost: $850, plus $95 materials fee, (Minimum Deposit of $450 required to hold your space with balance of $400 plus $95 materials fee due the first day of workshop
- Deadline to register: May 5th
Email Alisa at alisa@alooney.comto check availability.
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OUR WORKSHOPS
Our mission is to help people connect with nature on a deeper level through art. Whether sketching outdoors, or taking your images further in a woodblock printing or enameling workshop, we want to help you find your unique expression.
We offer both online and in-person workshops…
We offer both online course offerings and small in-person workshops. If you would like to schedule an in-person course, please Scroll down to see our many offerings and email alisa@alooney.com to schedule a time that works for you.
If you would like to be the first to hear about our new workshop offerings and art events, please send your email to alisa@alooney.com and request our newsletter.
Blessings and Creativity to you,
Alisa and Wade
PROCESS VIDEOS from our STUDIO
Wade demonstrates woodblock printing
Enjoy this fun and fast video showing some of wade’s processes: carving the woodblock, inking, printing and adding watercolor to create a gorgeous monoprint of a purple fence.
Another quick video showing Alisa’s sgraffito process, drawing into the granular spray layer, using a sharp pin-pen tool, ending with close up shot of the piece (shown before firing in the kiln). This gives you an idea of how easy it is to draw into the glass using this method, and the fine lines you can achieve, with no chipping!
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B L O C K P R I N T I N G W O R K S H O P S
B y A p p o i n t m e n t:
Intro to Lino-Cut Block printing with Wade Womack
In these 1-day workshops, Wade Womack will lead you through the steps of block printing, teach you how to prepare your image, and to think about line, design and composition. Learn to transfer your image onto a block, carve the image and create spoon-rubbed prints. You will love seeing the boldness and line quality created with this technique. You will create one block and several prints of this design. Surprise yourself by creating art in reverse! Vaccinations and Masks Required.
- 10 am – 5 pm
- $105
- $15 materials fee due on day of workshop
- Limited Dates by Appointment: Contact Wade to schedule
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B L O C K P R I N T I N G W O R K S H O P
The Joy of Color – Reduction Block Printing with Wade Womack – Four Week Workshop
During theis 4-week workshop, Wade Womack will lead you through the process of reduction block printing, teach you how to think about line, design and composition using multiple color plates. On week 1 you will design and carve the first color plate, and print the full edition of that color. On week 2 the first print will be dry and you will carve into the same block to create the second color plate and print the entire edition with the second color, in registration. On the third week, the third color and so on. Vaccinations and Masks Required.
- Dates: Four Saturdays
- Hours: Day 1: 10am-5 pm; Day 2, 3 & 4: 10 am-2pm
- $420, includes materials
- Limited Dates by Appointment: Contact Wade to schedule.
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E N A M E L I N G W O R K S H O PS
B y A p p o i n t m e n t:
Intro to Enameling – Earrings and Pendant with Alisa Looney – 1-Day workshops
Fusing glass to steel is an ancient form of alchemy that is being used today to create colorful and lasting artwork. During these 1-Day Workshops Alisa Looney will lead you through the process of creating your own pair of earrings and pendant from start to finish.
Enamel (glass) on steel jewelry is lightweight and fun to wear! The earrings and pendant shown above are student samples to give you an idea of what is possible. You are welcome to use ideas from references we have on hand, or invent a design of your own, working from sketches, photos, doodles or patterns that inspire you. Vaccinations and Masks Required.
- 10 am – 5 pm
- $105
- $15 materials fee due at time of workshop
- Limited Dates by Appointment: Contact Alisa to schedule.
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S T U D I O 4-Day E N A M E L I N G W O R K S H O PS
AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT
Draw & Paint with Enamel (glass) on Steel 4-Day Workshops with Alisa Looney
Go into depth with enamel on steel at our Bend, Oregon Studio.
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These 4-day workshops are open to 3 participants to create a wall relief or sculpture, jewelry elements & small test panels. Learn to design, cut and shape steel, prepare surface, then apply ground coat and several Kiln-fired layers of glass to create a lustrous and colorful finish that will never fade.
-
- Hours daily: 10-5, with lunch break from 1-2.
- Dates: TBD
- Cost: $725, plus $75 materials fee, (Min. Deposit of $375 to hold your space, Balance of $350, plus $75 Materials fee due on first day of workshop)
Limited Dates by Appointment: Contact Alisa to schedule, for you or your group of 3
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More Online Classes on the way!
We have been taking process videos, photos and detailed notes over the past few years and have some incredible tools and techniques to bring directly to your studio through zoom. Many of you have requested more online options for enamel on steel, granular spray, sgraffito, and watercolor enamel painting techniques. This is a wonderful solution for those of you who can not travel and already have a studio to work in at your own pace. Thank you for your continued interest.
Excited to share this Alchemy with you!
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PAST ONLINE WORKSHOPS:
Mondays, July 8, 2024 – July 15, 2024; 10:00AM – 5:00PM PT (Pacific Time)
Online
Are you looking for a bit more freedom and expressiveness in your enameling experience? Do you love to sketch, paint, or play with mark making? If so, join enamelist Alisa Looney for this workshop!
In this class, students will learn to layer several liquid enamel mediums to create expressive paintings and timeless abstracts. Create panels of any size, flat or three dimensional, as well as small jewelry objects. Learn to apply liquid porcelain enamels (LCE or liquid form) in a multitude of ways tp create expressive images and texturing. Application techniques can be layered to create representational imagery as well as abstract patterns and include both additive and subtractive techniques. Additive applications with brushes, squeegee, “decalcomania”, sponges, dusting, stencils, splattering will be covered alternating with subtractive techniques as sgraffito using a variety of tools.
Create in bold black in white as well as full color, fire to your desired finish from sugar coat to full gloss. You’ll learn to work with watercolor enamels to add layers of transparent colors and effects over the porcelain enamel, using thin and thick brush strokes as well as subtle washes. Sgraffito techniques will also be used. The addition of lusters will be talked about as well, as a way to add yet more depth and iridescence to your pieces.
Find your flow, and the freedom to work in virtually any style!
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Presented by Pocosin Arts
DANCE of WATERCOLOR ENAMELS & LUSTERS
with Alisa Looney
May 16, 23 & 30, 2024, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET
Above: JOYFUL ABSTRACT, 4″x4″ panel, watercolor enamel, kiln-fired.
Learn to create depth, shading and detail by blending and layering Watercolor enamels. Alternating painting and sgraffito techniques, allows you to add and subtract enamel to build complex illustrations, bold abstractions and colorful textures over pre-fired white on copper or steel. Apply lusters just where you want glitz, then brush and draw freely on blackboard. These combined techniques dance with joy on the surface of 2D and 3D forms, inviting experimentation while enhancing your own unique style.
Private Facebook group provided for students to learn, practice and share these techniques as their pieces develop.
Register here
GIRL POWER, 4″x4″ Panel, Watercolor Enamel;
EYE SEE YOU, Pendant, Watercolor Enamel
MASKED MYSTERY, 2″x2″ Panel, Watercolor Enamel and Lusters;
BIRD DANCER, 4″ x 4″ Panel, Watercolor Enamel
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Presented by Silvera Jewelry School
ReEnamelware as an Art Form – with Alisa Looney
Thursdays, September 7, 2023 – September 28, 2023; 2:00PM – 5:30PM PT (Pacific Time)
Online
Have you ever wanted to add your own surface designs to enameled camp-ware, mugs, bowls, or pans – new or thrifted, but don’t know where to start? Learn step by step with Alisa Looney on how to take those pieces and give them new life! Alisa is a master of reworking pre-enameled forms into works of art and in this class she’ll share all her tips, tricks, dos and don’ts with you!
Learn step-by-step how to choose shapes, prepare surfaces, and apply layers of liquid enamel with your own unique designs. Apply granular spray, sgraffito, and painting techniques using both liquid and watercolor enamels. Paint with lusters to add metallic and iridescent effects! Explore various approaches to decorating these unique shapes, allowing the form to inspire your imagination. Elements like the handle of a pan lid or mug can become a focal point by adding surprise imagery or details. Then discover ways to display your individual pieces, turning found enamelware into ART!
This course is available as a live online class.
Details and Registration
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Presented by Silvera Jewelry School
Explore New Ground – Enameling on Steel Forms with Alisa Looney
Tuesdays, May 9, 2023 – May 30, 2023; 2:00PM – 5:30PM PT (Pacific Time)
Online
Cost: $360
Have a desire to enamel on steel forms? Learn to design, cut, and form various gauges into three dimensional shapes. Clean and prepare the steel for a ground coat formulated to adhere for a strong yet leightweight structure.
In this class with Alisa Looney, not only will you learn how to work with the steel to prepare it for enameling, but also learn the granular spray technique she uses with sgraffito to get those delicate lines with no chipping! The course covers professional as well as budget concious options. Experience enamel like never before with incredible control on your steel forms.
Create work in a variety of styles- from detailed drawing to abstract patterns, loose and expressive or realistic and precise. Graisalle techniques will also be covered, building up shades of black and white to achieve depth and detail.
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Saturday, October 22 & 29, 2022
3:00-6:00 p.m. ET
Create depth, shading and detail by blending and layering Watercolor enamels. Work over a pre-fired granular spray or solid white. This method of alternating painting and sgraffito techniques, allows you to add and subtract enamel to build complex illustrations, bold abstractions and colorful textures. Apply lusters just where you want glitz, or brush freely over dark backgrounds. These combined techniques open avenues for surface treatments on 2D and 3D forms, inviting experimentation while enhancing your own unique style. Take as a stand-alone course or add to the granular spray and sgraffito covered in Part 1 – Enamel on Steel Forms.
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Presented by Pocosin Arts
Explore New Ground – Enamel on Steel Forms (Part 1)
Instructor: Alisa Looney
Thursdays, September 15, 22 & 29, 2022
4:00-6:30 p.m. ET
Have a hankering to enamel on steel? Learn to design, cut, and hammer varied gauges into 3D forms, and apply ground coat for strong yet lightweight structure. Both low cost and professional methods covered for applying liquid enamel with granular spray for smooth consistent textures, gradations and stencils. Experience incredible control when you sgraffito varied line thicknesses in abstract patterns or detailed drawings. Fire to desired finish from sugar to gloss, creating forms with an ideal surface for layering liquid and transparent enamels. Take as stand-alone course or follow with Part 2 – Mastering Watercolor Enamels and Lusters.
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Instructor: Alisa Looney
October 1, 8 & 15, 2021
4:00-6:30 p.m. ET
Experiment with several sgraffito tools (make a pin-pen tool!) to create varied line qualities and thicknesses in mark making, cross hatching, stippling, brushing, lettering and combing.
Work in any style: expressive or detailed, then add depth and color, layering watercolor enamels and lusters.
Live zoom demos and instruction using pre-enameled steel panels and copper, designing flat and dimensional jewelry elements. Kiln required, firing techniques covered.
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In Partnership with the Center for Enamel Art and Silvera Jewelry School
Granular Spray, Sgraffito, and Watercolor Enamel with Alisa Looney (online)
June 19 – June 27, 2020
Expand your artistic tool kit by learning to sgraffito with ease in liquid enamel, and no more chipping! We will work on pre-enameled steel, adding layers of glass with granular spray, sgraffito and watercolor techniques to create colorful, custom surface treatments.
Join Alisa Looney as she shows us how to use spray application to achieve a buttery smooth surface and create extremely detailed sgraffito designs. Alisa will show you how to add color with watercolor enamels on top of your sgraffito for a rich, layered, and colorful effect!
Design, cut and prepare pre-enameled steel for enameling. Copper shapes can also be used. Learn to apply white liquid enamel with the granular spray technique, resulting in a powdered finish that allows you to sgraffito (scratch) clean lines with ease and control when making marks, textures and/or drawings into the surface. Experiment with several sgraffito tools to create varied line qualities and thicknesses in mark making such as cross hatching, stippling, brushing and combing.
This technique opens avenues for the freedom to work in any virtually any style: loose and expressive or detailed and precise. After firing the white layer, you will add depth and color by painting with Watercolor Enamels. Appropriate kiln-firing temps and techniques for each layer will be covered. You can expect to complete a series of small panels and jewelry elements during this workshop. Live demos and instruction in four separate three-hour zoom sessions will allow plenty of time to practice between sessions.
ALL LEVELS WELCOME! Prior enameling experience is recommended. Kilns are required for this workshop.
Workshop Hours:
Saturday and Sundays 10 AM to 1PM Pacific Time
June 19, 20, 26, and 27, 2020
Materials List: Provided after registration
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Past Traveling Workshops:
The Enamelist Society Conference – Assisted John Killmaster with his Enamel on Steel – Granular spray and sgraffito workshop, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, July 31 – Aug 2, 2019
Carpenter Art Enamel Foundation – Draw & Paint with GLASS on STEEL – Alisa Looney , Bellevue, KY, Mar. 21- Mar. 24, 2019
Pioneer Craft House – Draw and Paint with Glass on Steel – Alisa Looney, Salt Lake City, UT, October 2018
Idaho Art Education Association – Draw and Paint with Glass on Steel – Alisa Looney and John Killmaster, Fire Fusion Studio, Boise, ID, October 2018
Idaho Art Education Association – Block Printing – Wade Womack, IAEA Conference, Meridian, ID, October 2018
Idaho Art Education Association – Keynote Address, Listening with Kindness breakout session, Sketch in Motion workshop, Sculpture Design Sketch in 3D workshop – Alisa Looney, IAEA Conference, Meridian, ID, October 2018