A patina is a tarnish that colors or discolors metal. Pre-made commercial and fine art patinas are too strong for the thin metal leaf, and will dissolve the leaf when applied. Here’s an easy and fun trick using acrylic pastes to fake color patinas. To tarnish or darken the leaf without any color or texture see Technique 10.
Paint
Iridescent Bronze, Carbon Black, Jenkins Green, Turquoise Phthalo
Substrate
Any metal surface, or a painting surface using leaf and sealed as in Technique 1, or a surface painted with iridescent paints
Tools
Painting knife or other application tool, flat paintbrush, container or mixing palette
Products
A white absorbent acrylic paste
For Cleanup
Water, water container
STEP 1 Prepare the Surface and Apply Paste
Start with a metallic surface. (i.e. Leaf the surface as in Steps 1–7, Technique 1. Use a sheet metal surface or apply iridescent paint.) When dry select one or more acrylic pastes that are absorbent, white and opaque, such as Light Molding Paste, Coarse Molding Paste, Crackle Paste or Fiber Paste.
Using a brush, knife or other application tool, apply paste over one-third of the metallic surface in selected areas. Vary the thickness of the paste. Create thin layers by scraping the paste back with the knife instead of diluting the paste with water. Let dry overnight.
STEP 2 Apply Color Washes
In a container or mixing palette, combine Iridescent Bronze with water 1:2 to create a wash. Wet the surface well with water using a spray bottle, sponge or brush. Brush or pour the Iridescent Bronze wash over the watery surface. The wash will separate into rust and green colors if you’ve added enough water. Leaf areas with no paste applied naturally resist the washes so no need to blot. Let dry undisturbed on a level surface.
STEP 3 Intensify Color
When dry a subtle patina effect is created. To intensify colors, repeat Step 2 one or more times. Add Carbon Black, Jenkins Green and Turquoise Phthalo into the wash or drip these colors directly into wash puddles already on the surface. Here those colors were added and the patina effect is intensified.
Applying small amounts of metallic flake gels like Black Mica Flake and Gold Mica Flake in some areas, in addition to the white paste in Step 1, will enhance the overall faux patina effect.
A tarnish or faux patina effect is obtained here using an alternative to Technique 11. A glossy, colored, textured surface is created using a mixture of gloss gel and paint color. Applied over this (Technique 34) are washes of Iridescent Gold, Bronze and Silver. The top half has an additional layer of Fine Pumice Gel under the Iridescent washes for a soft reflective effect.
SANDBAR
Gail Henderson
Acrylic on board
14" × 10" (36cm × 25cm)
Unlike the delicate leaf, this steel surface is strong enough to be colored with acid patinas then enhanced with acrylic paint and a final clear coat.
URBAN LANDSCAPE V
Destiny Allison
Acid and acrylic on steel
36" × 36" (91cm × 91cm)