Fantastic, I learned a LOT, what I was looking for (except I still don't know if this can be done on silver (sterling, fine, Arbgentium...?), thank you!
I have so many questions: How would you do this technique differently if you were adding color highlighting to a an old colored base metal, ( with gold/silver coloring), peuter, gold plate or silver plate, piece of jewelry, metal stampings, and may have a finish already-applied ? Do you need to remove all the finish first? Remove all the coloring first as well? I just want to highlight/color drab filagree pieces and pieces with raised or lower accents. Does these type of metals listed above, make a difference in how to proceed? Do I still need to patina? Or is this not a good application for pencil. How about markers then, which kind, (alcohol, water based,etc) and how do you seal different markers on metal so they don’t smear, wear off or come off onto a person’s skin or clothes? Does renaissance wax work with markers, which kind? If you are not familiar with this type of metal coloring, can you recommend a metal artist that focuses on this type of art?
If you want to make a pendant of the parrot for example, how do you prepare the metal shape so that you are not putting a hole or bail in the piece right through the head that would ruin the beauty of the piece?
I would rivet or solder a bail on the back instead of the pin back. I do have a book available that has 15 different projects and goes into all the techniques in depth. Available on Amazon or my website. "Layered Colored Pencil Jewelry" is the name of it. And I travel a bit to teach this process too. What part of the country are you in?
When you spray the clear coat the first time, it seems that the spray, when dry, gives enough tooth to color on. Can you just do the spray first instead of patina?
In many of your pieces, you do not color the entire face of the metal. The metal becomes a background or frame, if you will. How is the procedure different in those situations?
I often layer the colored pencil over patterned brass or sterling silver. I use paint, markers, nail polish with the brass. Typically liver of sulphur with sterling.
I use a matt acrylic spray. My preferred brand is Alenes, but others will work too as long as its matt. Glossy doesn't give any tooth to add more colored pencil
Why do you patina the metal if you are covering the entire piece with a thick coat of white pencil? I would understand if you were going to leave his head for example exposed patina with maybe some colored pencil highlighting. Does patina give you the base that a Gesso would do in a sense. Is patina better to use than Gesso for using colored pencil?
Great question! The patina does act similarly to the gesso and is necessary for the for the colored pencils to adhere. I know there are a lot of people that use gesso for coloring on metal, but I did not have the same success with it as I do the green patina. Gesso drying time was also a drawback for me. I typically start with a layer of white pencil first to knock back the green of the patina. Hope that answers your question.
Do you seal the back of the metal as well to protect clothing and skin? Do you just use renaissance wax or the spray? If both, in what order? Does renaissance wax or sealer spray wear off over time if it is rubbing on skin or clothing? What about if you shower or swim with it on?
I typically don't color or seal the back. Just clean it up. I would not shower or swim with any jewelry. I also recommend that you don't spray perfume, hair products etc around while wearing jewelry and particularly the colored pencil.
Amazing! Love this technique
Thanks Lysa!
Fantastic, I learned a LOT, what I was looking for (except I still don't know if this can be done on silver (sterling, fine, Arbgentium...?), thank you!
Not sure about silver, as the patina I use is for copper and brass. Maybe liver of sulphur be would work? Let me know if you experiment.
I have so many questions: How would you do this technique differently if you were adding color highlighting to a an old colored base metal, ( with gold/silver coloring), peuter, gold plate or silver plate, piece of jewelry, metal stampings, and may have a finish already-applied ? Do you need to remove all the finish first? Remove all the coloring first as well? I just want to highlight/color drab filagree pieces and pieces with raised or lower accents.
Does these type of metals listed above, make a difference in how to proceed? Do I still need to patina? Or is this not a good application for pencil. How about markers then, which kind, (alcohol, water based,etc) and how do you seal different markers on metal so they don’t smear, wear off or come off onto a person’s skin or clothes? Does renaissance wax work with markers, which kind? If you are not familiar with this type of metal coloring, can you recommend a metal artist that focuses on this type of art?
Have you ever used cold enamel to give your finished piece a high gloss finish
I have not used cold enamel. I have sprayed with a glossy acrylic. Let me know how it turns out if you try it.
so beautiful! do you do a heat set at any point? thank you
No heat. Just seal with acrylic spray and then Ren wax.
If you want to make a pendant of the parrot for example, how do you prepare the metal shape so that you are not putting a hole or bail in the piece right through the head that would ruin the beauty of the piece?
I would rivet or solder a bail on the back instead of the pin back. I do have a book available that has 15 different projects and goes into all the techniques in depth. Available on Amazon or my website. "Layered Colored Pencil Jewelry" is the name of it. And I travel a bit to teach this process too. What part of the country are you in?
What did you spray on this to "set" this first layer of colored pencils? You didn't mention what that was? lacquer, shellac, fixative?
I use acrylic matte sealer. I like Alleene's brand. It's got a really nice tooth.
At the very beginning of the video is a list of materials that I used.
When you spray the clear coat the first time, it seems that the spray, when dry, gives enough tooth to color on. Can you just do the spray first instead of patina?
Nope. Doesn't work. Wish it did.
In many of your pieces, you do not color the entire face of the metal. The metal becomes a background or frame, if you will. How is the procedure different in those situations?
I often layer the colored pencil over patterned brass or sterling silver. I use paint, markers, nail polish with the brass. Typically liver of sulphur with sterling.
What did you spray with
I use a matt acrylic spray. My preferred brand is Alenes, but others will work too as long as its matt. Glossy doesn't give any tooth to add more colored pencil
Why do you patina the metal if you are covering the entire piece with a thick coat of white pencil? I would understand if you were going to leave his head for example exposed patina with maybe some colored pencil highlighting. Does patina give you the base that a Gesso would do in a sense. Is patina better to use than Gesso for using colored pencil?
Great question! The patina does act similarly to the gesso and is necessary for the for the colored pencils to adhere. I know there are a lot of people that use gesso for coloring on metal, but I did not have the same success with it as I do the green patina. Gesso drying time was also a drawback for me. I typically start with a layer of white pencil first to knock back the green of the patina. Hope that answers your question.
Do you seal the back of the metal as well to protect clothing and skin? Do you just use renaissance wax or the spray? If both, in what order? Does renaissance wax or sealer spray wear off over time if it is rubbing on skin or clothing? What about if you shower or swim with it on?
I typically don't color or seal the back. Just clean it up. I would not shower or swim with any jewelry. I also recommend that you don't spray perfume, hair products etc around while wearing jewelry and particularly the colored pencil.