The Metal Coating and Patina Workshop that we hosted June 19-21 was a great success. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting new artists as well as seeing some old friends. California-based artist and instructor, Ron Young, who founded the patina and metal finishing company, Sculpt Nouveau, led the two day workshop. Over 20 students from all over the Southeast attended. The weekend was jam packed with valuable technical information from Ron’s lectures and demos and lots of hands-on experimentation with metal coatings, patinas, molding making and casting materials. Townsend Atelier hopes to host many more workshops in the future. If there is a particular type of workshop you would like to see us do, please info [Email address: info #AT# townsendatelier.com - replace #AT# with @ ]">email us and let us know!

Students listening to Ron Young talk about patinas

Experimenting with different patinas and metal coatings




Samples of different metal coatings and patinas on different objects and surfaces

BRONZING AND PATINATING A PLASTER BUST
A few students brought their own pieces to work on at the workshop.  Chattanooga sculptor, Roses Taylor, metal coated her plaster bust in bronze and applied tiffany green patina.


First, the plaster bust was sprayed with BRONZE METAL C Coating. The first coat is applied and allowed to dry. Then a second coat is applied.

While the second coat of metal coating is still wet, Liver of Sulfur is sprayed on to give the bronze a rich golden hue.

Finally, Traditional Tiffany Green Patina was sprayed on while surface was still wet. The patina developed a gorgeous blue-green color in a very short amount of time. More patinas or waxes can be applied to achieve different patination. Or Permalac lacquer can be applied to stop the patina development process and to protect the surface when desired coloration is achieved.

Sculpture above by Chattanooga artist, Roses Taylor

Bust of Sarah Winnemucca, bronze

Based in Aberdeen, South Dakota, sculptor Benjamin Victor makes incredibly detailed figurative works in both clay and in bronze. Many of his monumental works function as tributes to great historical figures or to contemporary heroes like firefighters or those who have served in the military. Victor joined the ranks of Michelangelo, Bernini, Daniel Chester French, and Maya Lin by receiving his first large commission at only 23 years old. At age 26, he became the youngest artist ever to have a sculpture in our Nation’s foremost collection of figurative sculpture, the National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol. Art critics and organizations, including the National Sculpture Society in New York City, continue to recognize the aesthetic and conceptual integrity of Benjamin’s artwork.

Victor uses a wide variety of processes and materials in his work including Knead-a-Mold. He says, “Knead a mold is a very easy to use, versatile product which has been very useful in making quick molds. It is especially useful in molding bas-reliefs, and small sculptures for wax and plaster reproduction.”

Monument to Firefighters in clay Detail

Monument to Firefighters, bronze/installation in Lawrence, KS

Old Man, clay

Sequoya, life-sized, clay

To see more of Benjamin Victor’s work, visit www.benjaminvictor.com

Sculptor Judith Britain was one of only seven artists selected to create a one-of-a-kind work of art for the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Each artist was given a violin to incorporate into their final artwork. The works were then auctioned off at the annual gala benefitting the Symphony and Opera.

Britain used several Townsend Atelier products. To make the hands that support the violin, Britain used Brush-a-Mold to make a mold from her own hands. She then poured Townsend Casting Resin into the cured molds and painted the resin hands with acrylic paint.

As for the inspiration for her piece, Britain says, “Think of about the last movement of some of Beethoven’s symphonies–when the violins are playing away furiously. In my mind’s eye, I see them exploding with the music from the inside in a Crescendo.”

“Crescendo” by Judith Britain 32″ H, violin, mylar, wood, acrylic paste, resin.

To view more of Britain’s work, visit www.judybritain.com
To view a complete catalogue of all Townsend Atelier molding, casting + patina products, CLICK HERE