Copper Patina - An Art Form Itself | Quick Ship Metals News-Blog

Celestial Ouranios, an 18" x 24" patina on brass was created by controlling the application of patina solution with paper strips.

While some may consider a patina to be a gratuitous closure to a work that is already finished, copper artist Stefan Alexandres has turned the patina into an art form of its own. Two pieces that serve as an example of this are “Divine”, and “Celestial Ouranios,” two 18”x24” patinas on brass that he created by using a common technique with a subtle twist he developed on his own.
To create these two pieces Alexandres used strips of paper to mask parts of the metal’s surface to control where he wanted the patina is formed. He simply applies the strips of paper and dampens them so they will stick. No glue or adhesive is used. Once the patina has been applied and left to dry the paper comes off easily to reveal the results of this masking technique.
Alexandres advises, “There are many ways to finish copper. Sometimes I leave a piece of sculpture or repoussé unfinished and live with it for a while to consider what type of treatment I will give it.”
One option that he sometimes uses involves paint.

Suspicious Circumstances is a 28x" 28" x 3.5" repousse on copper.

“Metal can be painted. Often I will use a clear base such as varnish, after cleaning the metal’s surface. After the base has dried I use oil paint and wash it out with a damp cloth to leave the paint in the indentations.”
While this technique can add variety to the options for coloration, Alexandres cautions that paint is not permanent. “Paints are made of pigments, and any pigment exposed to light will fade in time. Patinas are created from minerals and therefore the affect created by minerals will last over time.”
Another technique Alexandres uses to add variations and interest to a patina involves rubbing and removing areas to create highlights and subtle changes in the colors or patterns. This can be accomplished by using a scotch bright pad, steel wool or a wire brush on an electric wheel, but he cautions anyone wanting to use this technique to use a protective mask to prevent inhaling the dust created by this process, which can be laden with caustic chemicals that can damage the lungs.
Alexandres stresses the importance of developing your own style and experimenting with both the affects of various formulas as well as the way they’re applied. “What I’m doing with patinas works for me. Maybe some other artists are doing it differently,” he said.

"Man from Poetry" is a 28" x 28" repousse on copper with a patina created by heating the metal with a torch. Note the intricate detail in the two faces at the bottom of the shell.

He also recommends metal artists consider the options of applying patinas, stressing that “Patina’s can be applied either cold or hot, and the results can be very different.”
He also notes that patinas can be created from simple sources. “The water in Florida is very rich in sulfur. On a hot summer day if you coat a piece of copper with water that is rich in sulfur and leave it in the sun, you will see an incredible patina form.”
Alexandres also uses commercially prepared patinas that he purchases from ronyoungpatina.com. After he applies these formulas he uses a solution of baking soda diluted in water to neutralize the action and stop the development of the patina. Take a container of water sufficient to cover the area you are working with and add baking soda while stirring until the crystals no longer dissolve, then apply it to the metal’s surface, wash with clear water and let dry.
Patinas are an ancient technique, but how you use them does not have to be governed by tradition, previous methods or rules that limit creativity. Another great thing about patinas is they not immutable. If you don’t like the results, you can always start over or alter the results by removing parts or adding other minerals to change the affect. The important thing to remember is that a creative work that is rattling around in your head needs to come out. Buy some copper sheeting or brass sheeting and create a piece of metal art today.
QuickShipMetals.com has a great selection of copper sheeting and copper foil, as well as brass sheeting that will please even the most demanding creative spirit.