Patinas are formed by chemical reactions on the surface of metals. Our patinas, like most sculptural patinas, are made by mixing chemicals and applying them to the surface, rather than waiting for nature to take its course. Most of our patinas are achieved by brushing chemical solutions onto the surface of the brass while heating that surface with an oxyacetylene torch. Others are formed over several days by burying the piece in wood chips soaked with other patina chemicals. Often, the final patina is a result of two or more different patinas layered one over another.
Use the links below to view large swatches of different patinas. Keep in mind, pictures in these pages can provide only a limited idea of the actual look and feel of the patinas. If you are interested in commissioning a wallpiece, you should consider getting a book of samples of our most popular patinas.
If you found this page looking for more information on patination for your own projects in copper, brass, or bronze, check out our Bibliography for patina books, our Patina Safety page, our Patina Formulas (to be used at your own risk), and our page on Patina Technique (under construction). Our Links page lists a couple of chemical suppliers who also provide pre-mixed patinas and have patina formulas on their sites. Also see the pages on individual patinas and their techniques linked below.
The links below will take you to pages with many large samples of particular families of patina, and descriptions of how the patinas are made. |