Oil paint on copper?

Michele Rushworth · 07-28-2002, 07:43 PM

Does anyone know if there is any special surface treatment required before using oil paint on a copper plate? I've seen some wonderfully luminous pieces in galleries and I'd like to try it. Are there any mediums to use or to avoid?

Thanks!

William Whitaker · 07-28-2002, 08:57 PM

Michele,

Among the best preserved oil paintings in museums are those done on copper sheets. They don

Michele Rushworth · 07-28-2002, 09:08 PM

Thanks, William.

I'd like to let some of the copper show through the paint. Do you think I could paint my colors straight on the copper?

William Whitaker · 07-28-2002, 09:27 PM

Why not!

Varnish it though afterwards. Remember copper oxidizes.

Maybe you like green paintings...

Seriously, the idea of the support showing through can be charming. That's why I've done paintings on stained birch panels.

Bill

Michele Rushworth · 07-28-2002, 10:18 PM

Thanks!

Margaret Port · 08-23-2002, 11:27 AM

Michele,

I painted in oils on copper shim about fifteen years ago. I cleaned it with a product called Tarnoff, dried it with a hair drier and then varnished it with Increlac, which is a very fine coating designed specifically for metals, and which dries absolutely clear. I then painted directly onto the surface. I had a couple of spots where I missed with the varnish and that area has tarnished. But on the whole, they are still OK. The paint is still intact. You can't have any oils or cleaning residue on the surface when you varnish. I'm sure the products I mentioned are still available. It is quite a nice effect.

Michele Rushworth · 08-23-2002, 02:25 PM

Thank you, Margaret.

I'm reminded again of the amazing power of the Internet when an artist in Seattle (me) gets tips on how to paint on copper from an artist in Cairns, Australia!

Margaret Port · 09-13-2002, 11:57 AM

Michelle,

It gets even better. I was living in Lae, in Papua, New Guinea, where I was using copper shim to model portraits of the local people. I was taught the original technique by an English woman and worked out the varnishing method after lots of trials and errors, with an Indian friend (who designed carpets in her spare time) and I learned the painting technique from a Dutch artist. I'm interested to know if you've been able to source the products I mentioned?