CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Patinas

Rust, patinas and metallic pigment powders can add interest and texture to your art. If the rust and patina layers are thick enough, and another layer of gel or medium is added, you can achieve a great waxlike look.

Ancient Web

8" × 8" (20cm × 20cm)

Materials list

Mediums

faux encaustic medium, gel medium, patina solutions

Paints

copper reactive paint, Phthalo Green, Phthalo Turquoise, Sepia, white

Misc.

Ampersand Encausticbord, brush, collage elements, gold leaf pen, iron surfacer and rust solution, open-weave fabric, Perfect Pearls pen, Perfect Pearls powder, spray bottle, spray varnish

Perfecting Patina Projects

STEP 1: Mist the Board and Apply the Fabric

Spritz the Encausticbord surface with water, and rub the water in. Place the fabric onto the damp surface. Apply drops of Phthalo Green and Phthalo Turquoise, Sepia and white. Mist the surface with water and use your brush to move the paint around. Let it dry, then remove the fabric.

Handy Plates

Have a plate handy to catch the extra paint.

STEP 2: Apply Solutions

Use a kit of iron surfacer and rust solution along with copper reactive paint and green patina solution. Mix the iron surface well, and apply a layer. It must dry completely before you proceed.

STEP 3: Apply Paint, Patina Solutions and Gold Leaf Pen

Apply the copper reactive paint in certain areas. Leave some of the iron exposed. Apply the rust solution and the patina solution over the iron solution while the copper paint is still tacky. Tilt the panel so the patina solution moves around. You will see rust and patina begin to develop. Let it dry completely, then use a gold leaf pen to add detail.

STEP 4: Add Adhesive and Powder

Use a Perfect Pearls medium pen (adhesive) to draw on the surface and add Perfect Pearls powder on top of the adhesive. Use a soft brush to brush the extra powder onto a sheet of paper so you can return it to the container.

STEP 5: Apply Final Touches

Add collage elements using gel medium and more gold leaf or Perfect Pearls, as desired. When everything is dry, use a spray varnish to seal the piece. Then use a faux encaustic medium of your choice.