No matter the metal used, metal embossing art can add something extra to any item, especially mixed media art. There is a saying among metal embossing artists that if something is standing still for longer than two seconds, one can stick embossed metal to it. Enjoy browsing our art gallery.
There are a variety of metals for metal embossing art. Each metal embossing artist has their favorite metal but also embosses using some of the other metals available.
In the Esmeric Art studio, we primarily use lead-free Pewter, medium thickness, or 36 gauge. Our second choice for our metal embossing art is aluminum and color aluminum, and then Copper. The most significant difference between aluminum and color aluminum is a color-coated finish. The standard aluminum (not the ones we use in our kitchens) is silver in color on both sides. When looking at a metal embossing art piece made with silver aluminum, it can look similar to Pewter. However, the color aluminum is silver on the one side and comes in various color coatings on the opposite side. These are great for using as accents in mixed media art. Once the colored aluminum is embossed, the color is removed by sanding, exposing the silver underneath. For the most part, the silver aluminum needs to go through a blackening process to highlight the design. See if you can recognize any of these while browsing through our art gallery.
The lead-free Pewter is malleable and can stretch to various heights, making it ideal for metal embossing art. Generally, when stretch is not too far, the heigh can be “brought back,” but one cannot always fix it when stretching it too far.
Ordinarily, once the pewter design is embossed, it goes through a blackening process. There is a chemical and non-chemical procedure for the blackening process. The chemical method involved a patina and then a polishing process.
Paverpol is a textile hardener and can be used in many different ways. The most popular is dipping natural materials, such as cotton, into the Paverpol and draping or wrapping it around a wire figure or another form. The paverpol adheres to most material, except plastic.
One can also create clay and more using a variety of Paverpol products that are available. The Paverpol works perfectly on canvasses. Again, adding some of the other Paverpol related products can achieve various textures on the canvas or wood panel.
Paverpol dries reasonably quickly, still leaving enough creating time and cures in about two weeks. Once hardened and cured, the sculpture can be used both indoors as well as outdoors.
