How to make a faux patina painting-what to use and how to do it

Kim Menzel, FLAX's Paper Department Manager and Wildlife Photographer, saw a picture she liked in a magazine of a wall with wood finishes and verdigris patinas. She realized she could make something similar using our Modern Masters Metal Effects and Patinas and the proverbial ball started rolling...

Kim came in to work the next day and gathered a 24x30 canvas, some acrylic mediums for added texture and the Modern Masters Metal Effects and Patinas and went home and got started.

Modern Masters combines the ancient art of patinization with modern day, water-base and VOC compliant technology to formulate the unique Metal Effects line of Reactive Metal Paints, Patinas and Rust Activator. These products can transform any paintable surface into the distinctive and timeless look of patinaed bronze and copper or the weathered appearance of rusted iron in minutes. Coupled with any of a number of Acrylic Gel Mediums, the possibilities are endless. 

"I was so into what I was doing time flew by. The next morning when I woke up the painting had changed--that paint has a life of it's own!" Kim likes the look of her painting so much she is planning on getting a few more canvasses to make it a triptych! Here are the steps Kim took to create her new wall décor:

1. I wanted to add some texture to the canvas so I smeared on Pumice Gel and some Modeling paste and then let it dry--this is a step you can skip if texture isn't a concern.
2. Sponge or paint on the three Metal Effects paints randomly. I wanted an all over abstraction of color so I applied it with a sponge.
3. Next I started spraying on the patinas and let them run down the canvas. The copper and the bronze changed quickly, the iron took longer to rust.
4. The next morning the painting looked completely different so I touched up areas I wanted to enhance and painted over the areas I didn't like. I fussed with this piece by painting and spraying specific areas until I got the results I liked. I worked on it on here and there for about three days.

I am happy with the finished product. The light in the room changes the turquoise and green patinas, and the rust and textures add shadow and depth.

Materials Used:

• Pre Stretched Canvas
• Modeling Paste
• Pumice Gel
• Modern Master's Metal Effects Bronze
• Modern Master's Metal Effects Copper
• Modern Master's Metal Effects Iron
• Blue, Green and Rust Patinas
• Fine mist spray bottles
• Wool sea sponge