Use of Colour to Accentuate the Structure of Lichen

Lichen is a very diverse plant with over 20,000 different species and the shapes and structures are fascinating. The little cup shaped forms are where the spores are created and are a great source of interest with their intricate detail.

One of my challenges was to try to cast the lichen, as it is an organic form it can be difficult to work with as it is so thin it can be difficult to create the cast for the molten metal to ‘capture’ the form.

To accentuate the structure, I have looked at adding colour , and I have experimented with enamel to see what effect I could create.

There are some great tests where the pillar box red enamel has reacted with the silver cast creating a ‘blackened halo effect’, and the use of opalescent colours have created some gem like qualities. These tests will be explored further.

Picture taken of the lichen cups under a microscope

Use of enamel creates a jewell like effect in the small cups of the lichen

The Pillar Box Red enamel has reacted with the silver creating the black halo effect