Repoussé for beginners with Hammer and Hound Forge - Great North Museum: Hancock

Spend the day learning the traditional craft of repoussé and chasing and create your own beautiful copper wall piece to take home.

In this hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll be guided step-by-step through the process of transforming a flat sheet of copper into a raised, decorative artwork using specialist tools and techniques.

Working from a wide selection of over 100 simple design templates, from entry level line-art to advanced, intricate designs, you’ll learn how to:

Chase clean, flowing lines into copper
Emboss and raise your design using traditional techniques
Anneal (soften) metal using a blowtorch
Work safely with pitch bowls and panel beating bags
Refine and finish your piece using planishing tools
By the end of the day, you’ll leave with a completed repoussé artwork, mounted in a solid oak frame, ready to hang at home.

All materials and tools provided.

You only need to bring a packed lunch, wear sturdy shoes (ideally boots) and sensible clothing, and bring a bag to take your work home in.

Level: Beginner, No prior experience is necessary.