How to Teach Repousse Art and Metal Tooling

Here are some tips and tricks to teach repousse art and metal tooling to kids in a way that’s safe, engaging, and rewarding. Metal tooling and repousse are fascinating techniques that involve shaping and decorating thin sheets of metal. These ancient arts can be a wonderful introduction to relief sculpture for young artists.

Metal Tooling or Repousse?

Metal Tooling is the process of decorating or creating texture on thin sheets of metal, often using various tools to press, shape, and imprint patterns or designs. Repousse is a technique that involves raising the metal from the back side to create a 3D design. It’s often used to make relief sculptures, like raised images or patterns. Both techniques trace back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Greeks, making them a great way to combine art and history.

Safety First!

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when working with soft copper or aluminum. The edges of the cut metal pieces can be sharp, caution students not to run their finger along the edge of the metal. In addition, begin to work with thin, soft metals such as aluminum or copper. I buy 36 gauge or 0.005″ crafting metal on Amazon. It comes in a roll and I cut it into pieces with my paper cutter.

student examples of repousse art lesson — Student examples from a Non-objective Repousse art lesson I teach.

Non-objective Repousse Relief Sculpture Art Lesson — Click above for my Repousse Relief lesson.

Tools

Some great tools include a rounded wooden stylus, blunt pencil, colored pencil, or popsicle sticks to create marks on the metal sheet. These inexpensive tools provide a safe way to start with simple designs. I recommend testing the tools on scrap metal before starting on the actual project so that kids can get comfortable with the technique..

Start Simple

Start with simple designs to boost confidence and increase engagement. Begin using a stylus to create basic patterns, like dots, lines, or circles. Also try to use stencils or freehand drawings to help kids create simple geometric shapes like squares, triangles, and circles. These shapes are easy to work with and can be combined into more complex patterns.

Make It 3D – Introducing Repousse

Once my students are comfortable with basic tooling, it’s time to introduce them to repousse. This is slightly different because the artist is raising the metal from the back side to create 3D designs. My students start by drawing a simple image or pattern on paper. Once they have their design, they transfer it onto the metal sheet by tracing the lines lightly with a stylus or pencil. Next, on the reverse side of the metal, they begin pushing the metal outward. It is important to place the metal sheet on a soft surface, like a stack of newspapers or a thick towel, to allow the metal to stretch.

Using a blunt tool or a rounded tool, gently rub or draw back and forth the design from the back to raise it. I stress the importance of slowly stretching the metal. Encourage kids to experiment with different depths to create varying levels of relief. Once the basic raised shapes are formed, I like to flip the metal back to the front side and define the edges and details with a stylus or pencil.

Aztec Sun art lesson examples for Hispanic Heritage Month Art — Student examples from my Aztec Suns Repousse lesson that I use during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Aztec Suns Repousse relief art lesson — Click above for my Aztec Suns Repousse lesson.

Experiment with Color and Finish

After the tooling and repousse is finished, I encourage them to get creative with adding color or finishes to the metal. My favorite method is painting India ink across the metal and allowing it to dry or use a hair dryer to speed up the process. Next, we use green scouring pads and gently rub the raised areas. This gives a patina look to the finished relief sculpture. Permanent markers can also be used to add color to their metal designs.

Foster Creativity and Patience

Metal tooling and repousse are great ways to introduce kids to a rich artistic tradition. The most important part of teaching these new techniques is to make the process enjoyable and hands-on. Kids will not only learn valuable skills in metal tooling and repousse, but will also develop patience and problem-solving skills. So, grab your tools, roll up your sleeves, and let the kids enjoy the amazing world of metalworking!

Thanks for Reading, Trista

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I’ve been teaching art for over 20 years and I love it!

I have taught every grade from kindergarten to high school. This site features art education articles with art resources and ideas as well as art lesson ideas for all ages. My goal is to allow students to explore a variety of art materials, discover different genres and styles, and most importantly, have FUN!