From Practice to Mastery:
The Art of Internalizing Skills
Learning any craft involves a journey from basic understanding to deep internalization. At first, we absorb the “how-to” steps—following instructions, repeating processes, and building familiarity. But true mastery comes when we go beyond mechanics and develop an intuitive, almost instinctual relationship with our craft.
The Path to Internalization
Once we have learned the initial steps, the next phase is internalization—the ability to perform a skill so well that it becomes second nature. In the world of cloisonné enameling, this means understanding color choices, application methods, and the subtle nuances that lead to consistent results. The goal is not just to memorize a process but to embody it, so that decision-making becomes fluid and instinctive.
How do we achieve this? Through practice, experimentation, and deliberate questioning.
The Power of Repetition
How do we achieve this? Through practice, experimentation, and deliberate questioning.
The Power of Repetition
The Power of Repetition
Repetition is the foundation of mastery. Doing the same thing over and over may seem tedious, but it builds muscle memory—the ability to recall and execute a technique effortlessly. Just as a musician practices scales until their fingers move without conscious thought, an enamelist must repeat their processes until color choices and applications become second nature.
But repetition alone can feel monotonous. The key is to engage curiosity and creativity:
But repetition alone can feel monotonous. The key is to engage curiosity and creativity:
- Turn practice into a game—try placing color gradations in different shapes or sizes.
- Challenge yourself to create unique combinations using familiar techniques.
- Set small, playful goals that make the process enjoyable rather than rigid.
The Role of Experimentation
While repetition builds consistency, experimentation sharpens understanding. Mastery isn’t just about following a formula—it’s about knowing when and how to adapt.
One powerful method of learning is controlled experimentation. This means changing one variable at a time while keeping everything else the same. For example:
One powerful method of learning is controlled experimentation. This means changing one variable at a time while keeping everything else the same. For example:
- What happens if I change the grain size of the enamel?
- How does this affect different colors?
- What adjustments do I need to make to achieve the result I want?
The Power of Prediction and Imagination
An often-overlooked but crucial skill in mastering a technique is the ability to visualize results before they happen. When we predict how a change will affect an outcome, we are actively engaging our creative mind. This is not just a technical exercise—it is the core of creative thinking.
Visualization strengthens our connection between thought and action:
Visualization strengthens our connection between thought and action:
- Imagining how a certain color combination will look before applying it.
- Predicting how a change in enamel thickness will alter transparency.
- Anticipating the way light will interact with different layers.
The Art of Learning
Mastery is not just about doing; it is about understanding—deeply, intuitively, and flexibly. The journey from practice to internalization requires patience, curiosity, and a willingness to engage with both repetition and experimentation.
By blending structured learning with open-ended exploration, we create a process that is not only effective but also deeply rewarding. The goal is not just to perfect a technique, but to develop an instinctive connection to our craft—one where questions, choices, and actions flow seamlessly from our creative vision.
By blending structured learning with open-ended exploration, we create a process that is not only effective but also deeply rewarding. The goal is not just to perfect a technique, but to develop an instinctive connection to our craft—one where questions, choices, and actions flow seamlessly from our creative vision.
New Workshop
Build YOUR personal & unique Cloisonne´ Language
Your Cloisonne´ Enamel Voice
- Do you sometimes feel stuck because you don't know how to move beyond the techniques you learned in your classes?
- Do you want to feel more inspired and connected to what you are making?
- Would you like to create more meaningful enamel artwork?
- Do you want to make artwork that looks like everyone elses' or do you want to create unique and meaningful enamel images?
Would you like some guidance finding and developing your own unique style?
This workshop challenges you to step outside of your comfort zone, confront your fears, and explore questions about translation and design. Improve your old skills and add some new tricks too!
Your Enamel Voice: More Than Techniques
Enamel is more than color, more than skill.
It is a language—your language. Every artist has a voice, a way of speaking through their marks, their choices, their way of seeing the world. When I want to explore, build, and change my enamel voice, this is what I consider... Explore "marks": This is your design element language Explore "enamel marks". This is your enamel design element language. Practice translating between the two different languages It's how you consider all of the many ways to use your techniques and skills. Techniques are the way that you can make and change a Mark. You Voice is the language of "Your Marks".
In this class for intermediate enamelists, we dive into how you can use your skills to create an enamel language that reflects your unique style, taste, and point of view. Translate your ideas and images into unique and personal cloisonne´enamel imagery. |
Take your enameling to the next level
Look at this image; Can you see the different lines, shapes, patterns, colors, and values? You may already have the skills to make a piece like this!
My way of putting these all together is MY language. And the way that I use my materials: my enamel colors and color layers, my use of wires, and the nuance with which I use both the background metal and foil layers to reflect light is But being able to imagine, design, and create a piece that "speaks from your heart" is a different type of challenge. Most classes teach you how to duplicate your "teacher's voice", not let "your voice" emerge. Discovering and embracing your voice requires practice, not a class that gives you the "right answers". Because when it comes to your enamel voice, there are no right answers! Most classes focus on learning new techniques. This is important but uses utilizes a Performer Mindset: do it the right way, know the right answer, and get the right result. Because you voice is UNIQUE to you, a different type of mindset is usually required. This is an Explorer Mindset. Instead of looking for the "right", the explorer is searching for the "possible". Our questions change and these new questions lead us to different actions, different results, and different ways to evaluate our results. This is a different type of practice from perfecting skills; it is using skills to discover what is possible and what you like! Three parts to your Enamel Voice Explore "marks": This is your design element language Explore "enamel marks". This is your enamel design element language. Practice translating between the two different languages It's how you consider all of the many ways to use your techniques and skills. |
