37A-2026 – Luca Tripaldi – Electroforming for Jewellery
September 6 – 12 2026
The Philosopher’s Stone of Copper
Surface techniques. Some experience required
Introduction
Lately many ceramic artists have become fascinated with electroforming. This technique allows coating or adding metallic texture to fired ceramic objects, without further use of heat. The material used is usually copper, which can be plated a second time with a precious metal such as silver or gold.
Technique
Electroforming is a galvanic process, which does not produce any toxic odours or vapours; therefore, it can also be applied in safety and autonomy back home. Furthermore, it does not require much investment in equipment nor materials. The ideal clay for electroforming is porcelain or stoneware as low temperature or refractory clays are not suitable for this technique. The course is aimed at anyone approaching this technique for the first time; however, it is necessary to have some knowledge in making with porcelain. Students must be able to create autonomously small shapes in porcelain.
The programme
Firstly we start making tiny elements in porcelain like rings, pendants, bangles and earrings, with specific attention to detail so to make them suitable for electroforming. Due to the timing of the course, the size may not exceed 3x3x3 cm. or 1,5 x 1,5 x 1,5 inches. (The electroforming of a piece of this size takes 6-8 hours) While back home, you will be able to electroform jewelry and objects of any size.
Secondly you will learn to prepare the copper plating bath and the conductive paint, then starting to coat the objects, deciding how much and which areas to cover with layers and encrustations in copper. In addition to coating with copper, we will test further materials like leaves, seeds or other small elements.
Finally, the last day will be dedicated to treatment and patination techniques of electroformed copper: polishing, protection from oxidation and creating the distinctive green-blue patina.
Logistics
There are 5 full working days in the studio. The workshop is open and teaching ocurrs 9 am to 5 pm. On every classday, a delicious midday meal will be served. At booking, you may select your preferred room type, choosing between standard lodging, single room and/or upgraded accommodation. Please note that depending on the availability, certain types at times may not be offered.
The artist
Luca Tripaldi was born in Turin, Italy. Currently he lives in Florence where he has his studio. After training in graphic design, he worked for ten years in Mario Audello Studios as a sculptor, making masks and special effects for many opera houses like “Scala di Milano” and “Arena di Verona”. In 1998 he opened his own ceramics studio in Turin. He uses porcelain, preferring unglazed surfaces or only glazed in some parts with crystalline glazes and dry glazes, in order to get strong contrasts. The most part of his jewels are in black or white porcelain, decorated with ceramic transfers. He conducts an intensive teaching activitie, holding workshops throughout Europe and the United States. He writes a technical ceramic column for the Italian ceramic magazin ”La Ceramica in Italia e nel Mondo”. www.lucatripaldi.com
The costs listed include both the workshop fee and the lodging.
15 MINUTES WALK FROM THE STUDIO
Standard accommodation in shared double room with shared bathroom. Final course cost: Euro 2130
Standard accommodation in single room with shared bathroom. Final course cost: Euro 2300
ON SITE
Upgraded accommodation in single room with shared bathroom. Final course cost: Euro 2410
PRIVATE APARTMENT
Maximum 15 minutes walk from the studio, with one bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and outside space. Final course cost: Euro 2620
Course without lodging Euro 1900
Additional Information
The workshop fee includes the following:
Tuition of 6 – 8 hours per day;
Studio open 11 hours per day;
All materials and firings;
Lodging in shared double room in apartments of simple standard at maximum 15 minutes walking distance.
Single room and/or upgraded accommodation on request, at additional fee. All apartment types have shared kitchen and shared bathroom facilities. Please note that at times, not all room types may be available.
Freshly prepared three course lunch with wine on all working days;
Welcome breakfast, Welcome and Final dinner;
Coffee break in the mornings and in the evenings.
Payment and Refund Policy
A deposit is required at registration. After submitting the registration form, you may proceed with the payment on-line. If you choose to pay by bank transfer, the registration will be confirmed once the deposit has been accredited in our banking account. The balance must be paid at the beginning of the course.
Cancellations You may withdraw within 14 days of registration without incurring in any penalties and will have the deposit fully refunded. No refund of deposits past 14 days of registration, pursuant to articles 53 and following of the Italian consumer legislation, in accordance with the EU consumer protection legislation. In the event of disputes, the competent court is Florence. If the workshop cannot be hold because of an insufficient number of students, the deposit will be fully reimbursed. Force Majeure
Students must know that cancellations may occur due to events beyond our control (e.g. pandemic, civil disorder, medical or family issues of the instructor). In such case, La Meridiana reserves the right to offer a voucher for a different workshop of your choice. The voucher is valid for two years. The deposit will be transferred to the workshop of choice.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies such as cookies to store and / or access device information. Consent to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent may adversely affect some features and functions.
Functional
Always active
Technical storage or access are strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of allowing the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. .
Technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
L'archiviazione tecnica o l'accesso sono necessari per lo scopo legittimo di memorizzare le preferenze che non sono richieste dall'abbonato o dall'utente.
Statistics
Technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.Technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Marketing
Technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or on different websites for similar marketing purposes.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies such as cookies to store and / or access device information. Consent to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent may adversely affect some features and functions.
Functional
Always active
Technical storage or access are strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of allowing the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. .
Technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
L'archiviazione tecnica o l'accesso sono necessari per lo scopo legittimo di memorizzare le preferenze che non sono richieste dall'abbonato o dall'utente.
Statistics
Technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.Technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Marketing
Technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or on different websites for similar marketing purposes.
Luca Tripaldi was born in Turin, Italy. Currently he lives in Florence where he has his studio. After training in graphic design, he worked for ten years in Mario Audello Studios as a sculptor, making masks and special effects for many opera houses like “Scala di Milano” and “Arena di Verona”. In 1998 he opened his own ceramics studio in Turin. He uses porcelain, preferring unglazed surfaces or only glazed in some parts with crystalline glazes and dry glazes, in order to get strong contrasts. The most part of his jewels are in black or white porcelain, decorated with ceramic transfers. He conducts an intensive teaching activitie, holding workshops throughout Europe and the United States. He writes a technical ceramic column for the Italian ceramic magazin ”La Ceramica in Italia e nel Mondo”. 
