Overview & Purpose:

Students will learn about metal and repousse, teach others about the process with a Youtube video, and create a repouss/repujado work of art

Discussion Questions

What is repousse (French) or repujado (Spanish)?

How is it done?

What and where are some famous or historic pieces of repousse/repujado art?

How does artist Jose Chapa incorporate repousse/repujado into his work?

(What is an art installation)?

How important is variation of depth in repousse/repujado art?

Objective:

The student will research and discuss the art and techniques of foil repousse/repujado.

The student will research and discuss the art of Jose Chapa. The student will create a low relief image in metal (copper or aluminum foil) using engraving techniques of pushing the metal both from the front and the back of the foil. Students will create an instructional video on the process of creating a foil repousse/repujado panel and upload to Youtube. Students will research the elements copper and aluminum

Materials Needed:

4 x 6 index cards (or any size desired)

Copper foil (4 x 6” per student)

Wooden clay or metal foil tools (can substitute dull pencils, ballpoint pens, popsicle

sticks)

Magazines or newspapers

Fine steel wool or sand paper

3M Super 77 Multi-purpose Spray Adhesive

Foam core board 8 x 10”

Lightweight spackle

Vocabulary:

concave

convex

copper foil

metal tooling

repousse'

burnish

Instruction:

1. Research, investigate, and discuss copper foil tooling and repousse/repujado.

2. Look at the work of artist Jose Chapa and Pon La Mesa.

3. Draw your panel design in full detail and in full size on the index card before you start on the

foil.

4. Cut a piece of copper foil 4 x 6”

5. Place an old magazine or folded newspaper under the foil so you have a soft surface

6. Tape your design over the metal

7. Use a pointed clay or foil working tool to trace the main components of your design (dull pencils or ball point pens work well if you do not have the tools.) Once basics have been traced remove the drawing from the foil and use it for reference.

8. Decide which shapes will be convex and which will be concave.

9. Work slowly, going over the concave areas a number of times with gentle pressure to stretch the metal without tearing the foil. Check from reverse side often.

10. Turn the foil over, and reinforce convex areas in the same manner.

11. Be sure to work both sides of the metal to form the relief sculpture with a variety of depths

from very shallow to highly raised.

12. Add texture by creating patterns lines, dots, circles, etc.

13. Carefully rub (burnish) with fine steel wool and/or sandpaper to create textural effects.

14.  Use lightweight spackle to fill in the high relief areas on the back of the artwork.  This will stop the raised areas from caving in.

15. Use spray adhesive to mount the finished piece on foam core board.  Be sure to spray the back of the artwork AND the foam board.

Extensions:

Ways to incorporate STREAM objectives:

*CREATE A YOUTUBE VIDEO:  Throughout the process of creating their panel, students can use their phones, ipads, or other available technology to document their work.  Students can create a fun instructional video, teaching others how to complete the repousse process.

*RESEARCH THE ELEMENTS COPPER (cu) AND ALUMINUM (al)