Patinas: Demystifying the Magic Monday 9:00 - 4:30 $145  
  April Bower    


Student Level: All levels welcome
Type of Workshop: Process

 

 

 

Patina is a colored oxidation or corrosion of metal, like rust, but so much more. Chemical Patina recipes are like home made Chili: everybody has one and claims it’s the best but in reality it’s the what you are trying to achieve and what works for you. Recipes can be as simple as table salt, vinegar & ammonia or elaborate combinations of unpronounceable chemicals. Almost all patina solutions are toxic in some manner, so safety and good ventilation is key and will be stressed.

Patinas need time to develop, so there will be discussion of “fume” and “buried” patinas, but we don’t have the days needed to watch these develop. We will be concentrating on quicker reacting patinas meant for copper, brass, bronze & silver. You will be experimenting using many products developed by Sculpt Nouveau, as well as liver of sulfur, commercial blacks & browns, acid greens, dyes, Heat patina as well as addressing sealers & waxes.

Students will be doing test samples on 6x6” heavy copper foil which can be sealed and used in future projects (“yardage”) or catalogued as your reference guide for your at home projects.

All chemicals used in workshop will be supplied. Sample Kits with patina products can be ordered and shipped to your home studio as most chemicals cannot be transported by air and opened containers carried home in your car are problematic. I do not make or sell patinas, I am an artist that uses patinas to make art.

Kit fee of $35 payable to Instructor at classtime includes:

  • 12 6”x6”squares of heavy copper foil & 1 12”x12” for each student to test the various patinas on
  • rubber gloves
  • sanding sponge
  • masking tape
  • chip brushes
  • paper towels
  • 3m green scrubby cloth
  • metal cleaner
  • cleanser
  • distilled water
  • use of heat guns, torches
  • also some scraps pieces of heavier, copper to texture & do tests.

Students should bring:

  • eye protection
  • a respirator with cartridges for chemical fumes is recommended but not mandatory ( a good thing to have & use if you are an artist or crafter)
  • an apron
  • permanent black Sharpie markers
  • a notebook for notes
  • bring any small items that you have been interested in “patinating” for trials, contact instructor for suggestions
  • your own roll of paper towels is desirable.
 
Questions? Email April at AprilBowerJewelry@gmail.com
Website: Facebook.com/AprilBowerJewelry