Never
underestimate the power of small! Frit may be tiny, but make no mistake, this
little powerhouse can make a huge,
positive impact on your glass artwork. The beauty of frit is in its
flexibility. I love to push that flexibility every chance I get.
There are
always several ways to approach any glass fusing project. But if you can
incorporate frit of some sort into that project, you’ll have something
unexpected that is unquestionably more engaging. And as self-serving as it is,
we all want to dazzle people with our art.
Next time
you’re brainstorming how to build your project, consider replacing some or
several design elements with frit. Play with different sizes; use mosaic,
course, medium, fine and powder. Each size has its own unique visual
characteristic that you will love after firing. Work with several shades of the
same color such as light amber and medium amber to create a three-dimensional
quality. Repeat the same color such as red in both transparent and opal glasses
for greater contrast.
Let’s dive in!
1 Go Overboard! Strengthen your design by incorporating
a subtle complimentary pattern in the background. When making the Flowering
Tree, I cut a leafy tree limb stencil out of stiff paper. I then sifted soft
green powders over the stencil to add the delicate woodland setting behind the
flowering plant. The addition of the soft foliage unifies the overall project
and makes it distinctly more appealing. The great thing about stenciling a
design is that each piece you make will be slightly different and therefore
each and every one has a unique beauty.
2 Go Deeper! Consider increasing the attraction of
your work by repeating the same pattern on both the base layer and the top
layer. Simply sift powders over a stencil on the base layer. Then turn the stencil
¼ turn and repeat the pattern on the second layer. Stack the layers to create a
new, more elegant design. This quick little trick is a terrific way to increase
visual depth and ramp up the sophistication of your artwork.
3 Lighten Up! Give your design a light source and
you’ll have an immediate winner. With frit you can do it in a snap. Select frit
in multiple shades of the same color. Use both transparent and opal versions of
every color in your palette. Then gradually spread the frit working from light
to dark. Blend the colors as you go for an even more engaging flow. This
painterly technique rapidly transforms flat, lifeless images into lively three
dimensional masterpieces.
4 Set the Mood! Making a sherbet colored tropical
sunset, a magical starry night or mysterious mist cloaked meadow is easy with
frit. Think about how such enchanted places make you feel. Think about how they
draw you in, tempt you to stay and make you wonder what hidden treasures wait
for you just out of sight. Now take that feeling and make it tangible by mixing
different colors of frit and you’ll create energetic settings that speaks out
loud.
5 Take the Helm! Next time your cut glass design doesn’t
fit as accurately as you’d like, do what I do. Throw in a zinger. Fill that
nasty crevice or inconvenient hole with frit in a color that contrasts the cut
glass around it. No, you’re not fudging a mistake. You’re making something new,
adding detail and highlighting the more important characteristics of your
design.
Don’t Mutiny! Frit may be small but its applications
are huge. Use it in small or even large doses and as you navigate these new
waters you’ll begin to fathom the many, many artistic possibilities.
Anchors Away!
Lisa
Want to learn more? Join me Tuesday!
This is just a
sampling of the tips and techniques you’ll see how to apply in my Fusing with
Frit webinar Tuesday. I hope to meet YOU there!
Fusing
with Frit, Tuesday, January 24, 2017. Webinar.
Register here
It’s LIVE! I come to YOU! Join me for this
live event and see how easy it is to add pizazz to all your work with frit.
Check out this popular video for more
fun frit ideas!
Want one-on-one, hands-on instruction?
Advanced
Glass Fusing Workshop with Lisa Vogt
There’s still time to
register!
February
21-24, 2017, Wesley Chapel, FL
Register here http://www.lisavogt.net/products.aspx?id=478
5
Awesome New Things You’ll Learn in this workshop
1 NEW
Free-Flow process for artful blends and washes like blown glass.
2 How to create dramatic effects with
color, pattern and texture.
3 How to design and build complex,
multifaceted works.
4 How to give your art unique form that
stands out from the crowd.
5 How to combine multiple advanced
techniques for engaging artwork.
Beginner to Advanced skill levels
welcome!
4-Day, Hands-on Workshop
Lisa’s Private Glass Studio, Wesley
Chapel, Florida
Register online today! Class size is
limited!
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