Metal Leaf, anyone?

[colourshift]

Hi kids, just got back from the library... I found a book on adding patinas to metal leaf (in this case, it looks to be copper leaf)..some fantastic effects come from chemicals sprayed on the surface of the leaf... just wondered if any of you have done this personally? I'm thinkin that it could be washed off with water without damaging the patina, or the metal leaf.
And then, I gotta wonder about clear coat...
So...what do you think?
I know jerry's (www.jerrysartarama.com) has heat blasted metal leaf that takes on colour with heat..but this stuff was more organic...and i"m thinking with a little selective inner coat clear...or masking, or? one could achieve some way cool effects with this...will post more as I read along.

[moose]

Lynne,

Most of the chemical patenia roducts I hav seen are not removable after applying to the surface. There are probably some out there but.....

Tim

[Whit]

Varigated Gold Leaf (dutch gold) comes
in a variety of colors ,,, acid treated to
achive the effect but some nice lookin
stuff,,, applies like gold leaf !!!
Needs a clear to protect for longevity !!!

[colourshift]

I'm familiar Whit... I have some...it's funky! Just had a brain storm to do my own organic variation...you know I'm going to have to be the test dummy on this...lol - can't resist.

[Primo Customs]

What sizing do you use when you are going to clear it with urathanes.. I have been using clear with a little yellow in it so I can see it. but it takes so long to go off.. Gives me more time to talk to you all.... Rick

[colourshift]

Water based size Rick, the oil based can produce nasty results with Clear coats...

[Whit]

Never cared for the waterbase but
that's a personal thing I'm thinkin !!!
On the clearcoat I ALWAYS run a couple
of dust coats when an enamel has been
used in one form or another !!!
Usually the dust coats seal it to where
you can apply the finishing coats,, no prob !!!
Here's a flame from the 70's in gold leaf with
the clearing in Laquer (talk about hot) with
an oilbase sizing,, no probs !!!
Here's a sheet (scan) of the varigated gold
for those that may not know what we're talkin
here !! Just bear in mind,, this was a scan of
a highly metalic and reflective material and
in no way captures the brilliance of it !!!

[colourshift]

It's gorgeous stuff, isn't it...I did dragons on mailboxes (mascot of Oriental NC) for this craft fair my Dad talked me into doing...using varigated metal leaf.

[Whit]

It's some Great stuff to get into,, but,,
the clearing tends to take a little of
the brilliance out of it,, but,, still,,,
there ain't nuthin like it in paint !!!
When the sun hits it,,, you know it's there:partyalone:
(good lookin mailbox Lynne)

[colourshift]

Thanks Whit...I sold out of em. I need to do more, and send em down with my folks, a local gift shop wants to carry them. Tedious though...I wish I could come up with a better method of transferring the design and applying the size, rather than by hand...but with no plotter...?

[Frog]

Colourshiftm you NEED to check this site, I have seen paintingd done with this stuff and they were breathtaking.http://www.sculptnouveau.com/
Damn you got me thinking now.....

Michael

[colourshift]

Michael,
here's a link to the one that I like the best, I can get copper leaf fairly cheap...they do say to wash it off with water after... I can do that...I love all the different colours...thanks so much for the link! It's great! Now I have a source to play mad scientist. Muaaahahahaha.
L

http://www.sculptnouveau.com/monthly1100.html

Any links to the painting you were referring to ?

[Frog]

I wish I still had the link but alas no.
I was very interested in this stuff a few years ago so was doing a lot of research, I found them then, unfortunatly that was 3 puters an 3 country's ago.
Did you check the metal coatings ? you dont need leaf, they are very cool.

Michael

[colourshift]

Just went to go look, WOW... oh yeah, gotta play with this... just about any surface too...Thanks Michael!