Wednesday 13 February 2013

#391 At the foundry: Patina . . . The power of color


Ancient bronzes emerged from the earth and sea with beautiful blue and green patinas due to the copper content of the bronze . . . the color was acquired through age.  Today, sculptors "age" their bronze sculptures by applying chemicals to the bronze and different chemicals produce different colors.

Author, friend, and fellow sculptor, Tuck Langland comments in his book From Clay to Bronze: "You make the sculpture for critics, and the patina for sales.  While it is certainly true that a bad patina can make a good sculpture look bad,  and a good patina can help a bad sculpture look better - don't skimp on this final but crucial step."  

The use of patinas and the color of a bronze has a profound effect on the sculpture's final appearance and the impression it makes on the viewer . . . color is more powerful than form.


Below, is my sculpture of a cat with three different patinas.

Preening Cat 
13"H 9" W 9" D, Copyright Sandy Scott











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