Vicenza, Italy…

Situated between Venice and Verona, Vicenza is one of the most important jewelry hubs in Italy and home to the famous architect Palladio as well as to Italy’s first museum dedicated exclusively to jewelry.

Alongside this 5 day workshop, you’ll be able to revel in the Italian culture by enjoying an early morning or late evening walk around town, savoring the local cuisine, venturing off to a private wine tasting excursion, visiting the Jewelry Museum of Vicenza, and spending our last day in Venice filled with experiences you’ll never forget!

Painted Enamel Confections - a wide variety of techniques

Painting in enamel is easy when you know what you're doing! The pigments require grinding with medium to produce vibrant rich colours which can be blended and applied layer upon layer, firing between layers to achieve 3D. You will be introduced to a variety of ways to apply water based and oil paint using sponges, brushes and pen line to produce boldly blocked colour and fine enamel miniatures. Lacquer resist will be used for stopping out and gold luster to embellish your paintings.

White steel enamel tiles measuring 4 x 3 and 2 x 2 inches, will be available for purchase. Firing in the enamelling kiln needs care to avoid pitfalls. Gillie will guide you through a variety of techniques towards a finished enamel portrait miniature of your choice.

Gillie Hoyte Byrom

Gillie Hoyte Byrom is a leading exponent of the rare art of vitreous enamel painting. She has been commissioned extensively by an international clientele and most of London's leading Silversmiths and Goldsmiths. Her enamel portrait miniatures have won numerous prizes including the prestigious Jacques Cartier Memorial Award. As a qualified teacher, Gillie enjoys sharing her skills with others by teaching workshops in the UK and abroad.

Monica Cardone-Host, organizer, founder of Metalsmiths in Vicenza and Metalsmiths in Florence, as well as the person that makes sure your time in Vicenza is amazing, fun, and hopefully life-changing!