Bernard Pictet
numerous and original techniques

His particular approach to glass led Atelier Bernard Pictet to excel in certain techniques and to create original processes. Nine of his techniques are mentioned here:

Above: Kinetic mirror – Black ┬ ® Bernard Pictet – ©Anaïs Wulf

1. Color

The workshop only produces thick glass colored in five shades, but it is possible to obtain transparent colors by laminating a transparent tinted film. It is also possible to enamel or paint the glass to obtain an opaque color. Laminating films can be printed transparently or opaque. There is also a print enameling that has excellent outdoor durability. For the opaque coloring of engraved patterns, the atelier most often uses silver sheets colored throughout the body of the glass. This is because they reflect when light catches them, and it enhances and reinforces the relief of the engravings.

2. Deep engraving

In this area, especially for sculpture, the Atelier is recognized for this shaping technique without using any stencils and working freehand.

Bernard Pictet - French master glassmaker - French craftsman - French know-how - Decorative glass panel - Metallized glass - engraved glass panel - EPV company - Signatures Singulières Magazine - The digital magazine of French talent — Carving ┬ ® Bernard Pictet – ©Anaïs Wulf

3. Chisel Technique

For more than 20 years, the workshop has specialized in chisel technique. The workshop has perfected this technique by making the glass different shades and working at it with gold or colored leaf and silvering plating.

4. Saw engraving

The Atelier invented and created this exclusive technique as well as the machines to implement it. Saw engraving embellish any leaves: silver, gold or color.

5. Diamond scraping

The glass is “scarred” by hand using diamond tools created by the Atelier, tracing the desired effect and pattern.

6. Silkscreen Printing and kinetics

This technique allows the printing of all colors as well as creating a mirror effect or frosting. The Atelier usually creates kinetic graphics made by superimposing different screen-printed glasses with different screens. The effect gives a feeling of depth and vibration.

7. Overlay

For this technique, the Atelier superimposes several spaced-apart layers, usually with a mirror pattern. The last layer is dotted with frosted reserves allowing light to pass through. The result is an effect of depth, as well as luminous halos around each pattern, without the light ever being direct.

8. Optics

The Atelier can insert optical principles between two transparent glasses or mirrors, which cause optical deformations identical to magnifying glasses.