Using Patina to Finish Bronze Sculpture Awards

Typically, bronze sculpture awards are thought of in terms of three alternative finishes: 1) a high polish finish that renders the bronze a shiny, golden color; 2) a dark patina finish that is applied by an artisan, and extends across the entire surface of the award; or 3) a green patina that naturally forms on the bronze surfaces when exposed to the elements (a natural oxidation reaction between the copper in bronze, oxygen, and various environmental elements).

High polished finishes are often seen on large fine-art sculptures. Dark (brown) patina finishes have been popular for many years on western-themed bronze sculptures. And green patina finishes can be seen on many outdoor sculptures that have spent years in the outside elements (a Statue of Liberty is a great example of this color).

However, the types of finishes that can be realized on bronze sculpture awards extend well beyond these three alternatives. Through the process of applied patination, talented patina artists can achieve an almost endless variety of finishes on bronze sculpture awards, both in terms of color and textural variations. For example, the color can be solid, or crackled to create the look of marble or natural stone finishes.

And, in some cases, patina and high polish techniques can be combined to accentuate lines and planes in the design of the sculpture.

To help you understand how patination works, and the colors and textural variations in the patina that can be applied to your bronze award, we have created a webpage that outlines the options available: Patina Options for Bronze Sculpture Awards.