The Unique Appeal Of A Verdigris Patina
By Minnie Whitley
Metals like copper and bronze form a protective layer over the years until they look quite different from their original bright color. The green color produced is called a verdigris patina. Today it is possible to create such a finish by using one of the many products on offer. These products have been created to produce the effect of oxidation on metals without needing years for it to develop.
Burying is one of the oldest methods of creating patinas and some people still use variations of this method today. A technique used in the Middle Ages to speed up the oxidization process was to bury copper strips fastened to a wooden block in some dung for a few weeks. Objects buried in containers filled with an absorbent material like sawdust or kitty litter dampened with chemicals, can result in rich colors and textures.
Another method used in the past was to heat vinegar in pots over which copper plates had been suspended. Distilled wine in clay pots was also used to create this desirable green crust on copper plates. In Ancient Greece this green pigment was used by artists until more stable pigments were developed.
It is much easier to create such a finish today. There are many products on the market devoted to this purpose. These products enable a chemical reaction to take place, accelerating oxidation and creating special results. One can never predict exactly what the finished article will look like as various factors affect the outcome and this adds to the appeal.
Some of these chemicals come in the form of a spray and others need to be applied with brushes, rags or sponges. The best part of creating patinas is experimenting and producing different end results. Metals all produce different colored patinas. For example, copper develops a blue-green color while bronze turns a blue-black.
Some products are applied to the metal at room temperature. These products are usually opaque and are either sprayed on or painted on with a brush. It is best to pour a small amount into a disposable container for application, pouring in more as required. Applying too much can spoil the effect, creating chalky areas that flake off.
Other products need heat for application and great care has to be taken as the chemicals used may be flammable. The benefit of applying heat is that the chemicals penetrate deeper. It is necessary to use gloves and other protective items. Toxic fumes can be given off so application should take place in a well ventilated area.
This type of finish has become increasingly popular with homeowners as well as landscapers and designers. Statues, pots, doors, screens and many more items can be transformed, infusing interesting color and a touch of aged beauty into designs. They add the allure of something old and worn that has a history or tells a story.
Burying is one of the oldest methods of creating patinas and some people still use variations of this method today. A technique used in the Middle Ages to speed up the oxidization process was to bury copper strips fastened to a wooden block in some dung for a few weeks. Objects buried in containers filled with an absorbent material like sawdust or kitty litter dampened with chemicals, can result in rich colors and textures.
Another method used in the past was to heat vinegar in pots over which copper plates had been suspended. Distilled wine in clay pots was also used to create this desirable green crust on copper plates. In Ancient Greece this green pigment was used by artists until more stable pigments were developed.
It is much easier to create such a finish today. There are many products on the market devoted to this purpose. These products enable a chemical reaction to take place, accelerating oxidation and creating special results. One can never predict exactly what the finished article will look like as various factors affect the outcome and this adds to the appeal.
Some of these chemicals come in the form of a spray and others need to be applied with brushes, rags or sponges. The best part of creating patinas is experimenting and producing different end results. Metals all produce different colored patinas. For example, copper develops a blue-green color while bronze turns a blue-black.
Some products are applied to the metal at room temperature. These products are usually opaque and are either sprayed on or painted on with a brush. It is best to pour a small amount into a disposable container for application, pouring in more as required. Applying too much can spoil the effect, creating chalky areas that flake off.
Other products need heat for application and great care has to be taken as the chemicals used may be flammable. The benefit of applying heat is that the chemicals penetrate deeper. It is necessary to use gloves and other protective items. Toxic fumes can be given off so application should take place in a well ventilated area.
This type of finish has become increasingly popular with homeowners as well as landscapers and designers. Statues, pots, doors, screens and many more items can be transformed, infusing interesting color and a touch of aged beauty into designs. They add the allure of something old and worn that has a history or tells a story.
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