Patinas and Finishes

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.


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.


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.

· Our Principal Patinas·

blue-green patina

Blue-green & White Blue-green

white blue-green patina
brown patina

Brown

brown patina
dark green patina

Dark Green & Black

black patina
ochre patina

Ochre, White Ochre & Black Ochre

white ochre patina
silver patina

Silver & Silver Brown

silver brown patina
mottle patina

Mottle & Burnt Mottle

burnt mottle patina

· Relief and Texture·

dark green scrap

Scrap

ochre scrap

Etching

Flowed Bronze & Melted Surfaces

Machine Engraving & Grinding

Peening & Hammering

· Less Common Patinas·

spray blue-black patina

Spray Blue-black

spray blue-black patina
apple green patina

Apple Green

apple green patina
pigmented blue patina

Pigmented Blue & Antique Blue

pigmented blue patina with green

The Mystery Patina

Other Patina Combinations

· Bare Metals & Non-Patina Colors·

Polished & Flame-oxidized Brass

red copper

Copper & Its Unique Colors

brown copper

Stainless Steel

Pastels, Gold Leaf, &c.

David M Bowman Studio - Home

David M Bowman Studio Home

David M Bowman Studio - Home


Designs and images copyright © 1990-2009 David M Bowman
Page copyright © 2009 David M Bowman
All rights reserved
Last updated 10 Dec 09