Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Verdigris Patina to Brass Jewelry

Adding a patina to metal can give it various beautiful effects. 

One of my favourites, is the rusted teal effect on copper and brass jewelry, known as the Verdigris Patina. The greenish-blue really contrasts the brownish reds and yellows of the metals, and creates a beautiful, nostalgic, aged, antique feel.

I've been wanting to try out the technique FOREVER, and when I finally got the Guilder's Paste in the mail, I was eager to get started. 

Brass Leaf, Antique Gold Plated Flower + resin flower, Brass Filigree Locket
The flower before and after
The locket before and after
Baroque Art Guilders Paste - in Verdigris & Patina colours

I purchased the green (verdigris) guilders paste first, and when I tried it out, it produced a very dark effect, and didn't stand out much at all against the brass. A fellow jewelry artist suggested I try out the Patina shade, since it's much lighter, and would show up more. I tried it, but I was unhappy with the results as well. It was too blue, and did not have the right feel. Then I had a stroke of genius! Mix the two colours! The results ended up being exactly what I had been envisioning.


For those of you interested in trying the process out for yourselves, it's quite simple (and generally inexpensive).

The most challenging part for me, was figuring out how to open the guilders paste containers. After much trial and error, I finally figured it out. You press down hard on the indented side of the lid, and it will pop open. The first time is tricky, but once you get it, its easy after that.

The guilders paste is really stinky, like oil paints, until it dries. I don't imagine that's too healthy, so it's probably best to work near an open window.

Applying it is super simple. You just brush it on to the metal pieces with a paintbrush. It's best to use metal pieces with a textured surface so that it can pick up the paste. I love to leave a bit of the brass showing along with the patina, but you could even paint the whole think in a patina! It's completely up to the artist. :)

Here's an example of a completed pair of earrings, that I painted with the Verdigris & Patina guilders paste:

Underside of the earring, unpainted
These earrings are also available in my shop too!

Hope you enjoyed this little show & tell. :)

4 comments:

  1. Thanks for your visit and comment on my blog because it led me to find your work... it is AMAZING... and am so happy to be following now so I don't miss anything...xx

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  2. Sasha, you always show us such creative things, I love it :)

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    Replies
    1. I'm a little late replying, but just thought I'd say thank you! :)

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