Using the water based permanent markers as faux patina works on pewter and craft aluminum sheets. Although water-soluble, the markers are permanent when completely dry. Complete the metal embossing project and clean the surface to remove all oil and fingermarks traces.  Protect the work surface before starting the blackening process. Start by coloring the whole design or covering the entire area with pigment ink markers. Pay attention to getting into all the “nooks and crannies.” Wait a minute or two and start wiping off the ink.

To begin with, visualize where the darker areas of the design will be. Then, start wiping off the ink; try wiping in one direction. Wipe more of the water base permanent markers off on higher areas, as those are usually shinier than low-lying areas – polish the higher areas using the same cloth or paper towel. When wiping off too much, go back in with the water-based marker and add ink. Watch a short video here to see how to do faux patina using the markers.  Leave to dry and wipe again. Remove as much or as little of the pigment ink for the desired effect. When using the water-based markers, adding and removing ink from the markers completes the blackening process or browning process when using a brown water-based marker. With the faux patina completed, the project is ready for sealing.