Verdigris

Verdigris Finish on a Lincrusta Frieze

Lincrusta is a textured wall covering similar to Linoleum

The same piece as above without special paint finish




two resin-based putti one faux finished in wood and one faux finished in Verdigris





















A left-over piece of Lincrusta used as an Architectural Element

When certain metals are exposed to the air they acquire a patina known as Verdigris. From the Greek vert-de-Grece, from the old French verte-grez. The color of Verdigris was used in many Italian paintings of the 16th century.
There are many ways to obtain the green pigment. One of my favorite historic methods was the scraping of Italian church bells.

You can paint an ordinary object and transform it into something very special by giving it a patina. It is the paint treatment that sometimes makes the difference in price. Many surfaces can be verdigried; plastic, wood, ceramic, metal, etc.

The Lincrusta frieze above, was treated with a simple 2-step process. A kit available at most craft stores. It consists of a base paint which contains copper and a clear water-like liquid. Let the first coat dry and then apply as many coats of the clear acid as necessary. The process continues working for several hours.

If you are doing a large project the traditional method is less expensive: painted with oil-based paints, 3 different colors plus bronzing powders.

With very old brush apply dark green (almost black), then cover only some areas with medium green, then very light aqua green, let dry in between coats. Last coat, bronzing powders mixed with laquer to highlight.

Gina