Beginner's Guide To Chasing & Repoussé

What Is Chasing & Repoussé?

Chasing and repoussé are some of the oldest techniques of silversmithing and goldsmithing. They involve the use of a hammer and several chasing punches which are used to create outlines and to hammer a sheet of metal to give volume. Apparently, the famous Tutankhamun mask was made using these techniques!

The names originate from the French words, “chasser” “to chase” consisting of creating a design on the front of the metal and “repoussé” “push up” which is the act of pushing the metal up from behind - the two techniques are often used in conjunction.

The beautiful thing about these techniques is that although it takes time, you can hammer, anneal, re-hammer and re-anneal to reach the image you have in your mind.

I love these techniques because the finished objects are so tactile and unique with every hammer strike.

Health & Safety

Always work where you have ventilation, especially when you are burning a pitch.

Wear an apron and safety goggles to protect yourself from the hot pitch in case the segments of the pitch break.

Doming Punches Can Also Be Used For Forming

The punches are designed for using with a doming block to create gentle curves, bowl shapes or deep half round domes which can then be used to make bead caps or fixed together to make round or lentil shaped hollow beads.

Gravers Can Also Be Used For Texture

To engrave your own designs into metal, you can use gravers. When attached to the wooden graver handle, you can gently hammer these against your metal to create marks, engravings, lines, and textures.

TIP: These marks will then look even more distinct if you choose to apply a patina to your metal.

Chasing & Repoussé Step By Step Guide

1. Draw your design on paper and transfer onto a sheet of desired metal. I would use copper as a metal to start with, because it’s a softer metal. I use a marker pen to draw on the metal.
2. Rub olive oil lightly on the back of the metal to avoid it sticking too hard to the pitch.
3. Bend the 4 corners of the metal to anchor to the pitch.
4. Warm the pitch with a gentle flame to soften and flatten the surface. Keep moving the torch to prevent burning the pitch.
5. Push the metal down on the pitch and make sure that it is supported by it.
6. Wait until the pitch cools down to the room temperature.
7. Use a tracer punch to go over the design.
8. Use straight or curved punches to draw (well, to hammer really but it is almost like drawing) over the mark you have just made. Hit the punch with a hammer lightly and slowly. You are almost pushing the punch down and pulling it towards you so you are making a continuous line.
9. After finishing the outline of the design, remove the metal by warming up the pitch then lifting it with tweezers.
10. If there is only a little pitch residue left on the back of metal, remove it by burning it off, but if there is a lot left on there it is best to warm it and drip it back to the pitch bowl. (Don’t put the burnt pitch back onto the bowl, it will ruin the pitch). Remember to ventilate whilst burning the pitch.
11. Anneal the metal and clean it, dry it well, then oil it. (Pickle it if necessary)
12. Warm the pitch again using a torch.
13. Turn the metal over and put it back on the soft pitch. Anchor it well on the pitch using a pair of pliers to bend the corners.
14. When the pitch has cooled down, hammer the metal with the round or domed punch to create the desired volume.
15. When the metal is getting harder, it will need annealing again. (repeat steps 9-12)
16. The corners of the metal are curled and disturbed, these need to be straightened by using a liner punch on a metal block.
17. Anneal and clean in pickle if necessary.
18. Return the metal to the pitch for more work and repeat working on the front or back until you are happy with your design.

Chasing & Repoussé Top Tips

• Check your posture; try to relax the arms and shoulders.
• Draw and glide the punch towards you whilst hammering.
• Change the weight of the hammer as required for the more delicate lines.
• Work the edges then work towards the middle.
• Define the outlines to see the actual volume.
• Have a mental image of your design.
• Listen to the rhythm of the hammer.
• Do not worry if the line is not perfect, it is a “give and take” process.
• When you are not using the punches for a while keep them clean and oiled.
• Anneal the metal when it is getting harder.

Meet Guest Tutor, Kumiko & Read Interview

In our interview with Kumiko, we learn all about her jewellery making experience, how Japanese heritage and philosophy inspires her designs, more about her love for texture and show you some of Kumiko's incredible designs.

Kumiko also takes us on a day in the life of a jeweller! Watch Kumiko's fascinating creative process which includes left hand drawing, Japanese ink, beeswax lost wax casting, chasing & repoussé in the video below - also available to watch on the interview page.

A Guide On Texturing Metals For Jewellery Making

There are so many different effects that can be achieved with metals, whether that's adding a patina, texturing or shaping. All textures and finishes can be created easily on a budget, so you don't have to spend a lot of money for amazing results! Read our advice page for all the inspiration you need to get started.

How To Use Doming Block & Punches

Doming, also known as 'dapping' is a popular jewellery making technique used for creating curves and domes in soft metals. Learn about the essential tools, watch videos and follow step by step tutorials of various projects, including how to make domed disc earrings.

Metal Sheet

Explore our wide range of metal sheet to suit your jewellery making needs. Including sterling silver, copper, brass, bronze, gilding, 9ct gold as well as recycled metal sheet.

Explore Jewellery Making Tools

Shop Kernowcraft's high quality jewellery tools that have been tried and tested in the workshop. Whether you want jewellery pliers, jewellers hammers, doming blocks or small hand tools, our range of jewellery making tools have been carefully chosen to provide you with tools that are built to last.