How a Tiny Enamel Portrait Miniature Is Made | Painting with Glass and Fire

Why It Matters

The enduring enamel technique offers collectors a timeless, fade‑proof artwork while showcasing the value of preserving traditional craftsmanship in modern luxury markets.

Key Takeaways

• Enamelling layers glass powder onto thin copper base
• Wet‑laying applies two enamel layers with quill, water
• Up to twenty firings create depth and color fidelity
• Sgraffito technique scratches lines for hair detail in enamel
• Resulting enamel portrait remains unfading, centuries‑lasting glass painting

Summary

The video follows master enameller Ruth Ball as she painstakingly recreates a 1781 portrait of Queen Charlotte in miniature form, using the centuries‑old craft of vitreous enamel on a sub‑millimetre copper sheet. The process begins with grinding glass powders, washing away impurities, and applying two wet‑laid layers of enamel to both sides of the copper base before each is fired in an electric kiln.

Ball builds the image layer by layer, tracing the composition with red carbon paper that burns away during firing, then painting outlines in enamel. Up to twenty separate firings are required, employing techniques such as stippling for texture, sgraffito for hair detail, and successive colour overlays to mimic the golden threads of the queen’s dress. Protective gloves, glass brushes, and abrasive tools ensure a flawless surface before the final pigments are applied.

A notable moment shows the red carbon paper lines disappearing as they burn, leaving only the enamel outline—a vivid illustration of the medium’s transformative nature. Ball also prepares a test palette to match historic colours, underscoring the meticulous colour matching required for authenticity.

The craft has changed little since its 18th‑century origins, making each piece a durable, fade‑proof glass painting. Its labor‑intensive nature highlights a niche market for high‑value, collectible art that preserves historical portraiture through a medium that endures indefinitely.

Original Description

How was an enamel portrait miniature made in the 18th century? In this video, watch enamel artist Ruth Ball painstakingly recreate a portrait miniature of Queen Charlotte, based on an original painted in 1781.

Enamelling is the delicate process of firing finely ground coloured glass powders onto a thin metal base. Layer by layer, the glass is fused in a kiln to create luminous, durable images. The copper sheet used for the base is less than 1mm thick — just strong enough to support the enamel while preventing warping during firing.

Despite the passage of more than two centuries, the meticulous techniques used to create enamel portrait miniatures have hardly changed since they were first developed. Watch the full process unfold, complete with unintentional ASMR sound — from grinding enamel powders to the final reveal of the completed portrait.

Timestamps:

00:00 What is enamelling?

00:23 Preparing the copper sheet base

00:35 Grinding and washing the enamel

00:53 Wet laying the enamel powder

01:26 Firing in small electric kiln

01:36 Levelling the surface

02:06 Firing up to 20 separate layers

02:19 Washing with a glass brush

02:32 Making a test palette

02:46 Tracing with carbon paper

03:09 Outline painted and fired

03:24 Mixing the enamel paint

03:33 Building up layers

03:53 Stippling to add texture

04:35 Sgraffito detailing

04:44 Watch the portrait transformation

06:02 Final reveal

#howitsmade #portraitminiatures #arthistory #process #enamel

Watch more How Was It Made videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe2ihXndm5js7ANCTaZ26aocPKe74M8XJ&si=rNwdCuBZSivgfvoh

Find out more about the Gilbert collection: https://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/gilbert-collection

Visit the new expanded Gilbert Galleries at the V&A South Kensington (Rooms 70 – 73): https://www.vam.ac.uk/features/digitalmap/?floor=2&highlightId=FAC0000_49725&zoom=2.859630506332019&latlng=-1396.040849247589%2C2930.457877808852&srsltid=AfmBOoqEbi7k4yh5X6O9cK3MEslhTFM-3MdQBpHU6nRE2D-T4zMu1AWU

Dive deeper into our portrait miniatures collection: https://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/portrait-miniatures