Friday, October 1, 2010

Playing with patina and Miss Fickle Media


OK, I haven't been playing with Miss Fickle Media. She lives to far away. Dang. But I've been playing with patina on etched brass and copper over the last couple of days. Many thanks to Shannon of Miss Fickle Media for publishing an ebook that leads you through the process. She's been experimenting with patinas for nearly two years, and this book of hers, Colour Drenched Metal, is well worth it if you want to a great resource for patina on metal. She guides you through the types of patinas, application, safety, and everything you might need to set up a patina station in your studio. What can I say? It is just a fantastic book! Shannon even has patina solutions in her Etsy shop.


I decided to jump right in and start layering patinas. My preferance at this time was to go with transparent patinas and I gotta say it's a steep learning curve. Look at those pieces up there. They've got their patina on but they are kind of dry and crusty looking. Not really what I was after, except for colour.


Here are those pieces with sealer on. Whew, much better. And they feel good too. One of the things I'm finding is that I want to go after this process like a mad scientist. I can just see myself opening a whole new note book of tests. A lot like I do with glazing ceramics. This could become addictive.



I'm off to First Friday now. It's been a long time since I've gone on First Friday rather than 'done' First Friday. I'm very excited because I'm going to see glass art at the gallery where I do my monthly art market. There's a new hot glass studio opening there and I just can not wait to see the glass furnace. I love fire! I love hot glass!

Have a lovely weekend!

17 comments:

Lorelei Eurto said...

love love love it!! wow!
so pretty!
that missfickle, she's a genius!

Marcie Abney Carroll said...

The blue is spectacular.

Shannon Chomanczuk said...

Love, love, love! I was thinking of getting that e-book because I am just getting into etching copper now you made me want to even more.
Shannon

Mary Newton Designs said...

These are so cool! Can't wait to try it!

mairedodd said...

your pieces are great leann - love them... i em enjoying using the patina as well - feel like the colors will become addictions like the enamels... and you have your incredible pmc work to use - so jealous! :0)

TesoriTrovati said...

I am so glad to see that this works. I am working on these prototypes of my 'line' and I really want to do the patinas on etched metals. Now I know it will work and who to come to if I have questions (Maire Dodd has been very helpful as well). I now have to buy the colors, but which to choose? I might just have to have them all.
Thanks for sharing, LeAnn. I love what you have done!

Enjoy the day!
Erin

Unknown said...

You posting of your experience is very helpful! Invaluable tips. Thank you for showing all of this. And what you have done is just Lovely!

Spirited Earth said...

gorgeous work..
love the before and after photos.

Judy said...

LeAnn, between you and Mary Jane I am so excited to start experimenting with the patinas. I will be stalking the mail lady until they arrive!

Your pieces are just gorgeous, the patina really takes the etched designs to a whole new level.

stregata said...

The patina makes your etched designs just pop. Great work, LeAnn!
Hope you had a great time at First Friday.

sasha + max studio said...

beautiful colours LeAnn - really lovely - sounds like you're having a lot of fun trying new things :)

Barbara Lewis said...

Love your aesthetic, LeAnn. Just beautiful!

Mary Harding said...

Great subtle color. I love experimenting too but haven't tried this yet.

sharon said...

These are so gorgeous LeAnn!! Your pmc designs really lend themselves so well to this technique, the highlighting is awesome!

Unknown said...

I'm a comin over!!!

I had to laugh when I saw your first photo because I just discovered how well the czech glass goes with the patina-ted metal and I have been buying them like a fiend. You have paired yours wonderfully.

I am working on 3 more colors that will allow for transparency but I found it most helpful to lightly sand the top of an etched design so the patina stays in the crevices but allows the metal to contrast.
These are beautiful!

Marie Cramp said...

Wow! LeAnn, I absolutely LOVE what you did with the metal!! I would totally wear those earrings!! Really, you are one talented friend!! Hugs
Marie

Pretty Things said...

Very very nice! I swear she should make a book on patinas.