Craft Works : Metal Embossing

Hello all,

I see there quite a few here who are interested in Metal Embossing. The attached pic is one of my works - The Mask of Tutenkhamen. Kindly check out the album in my profile for more embossing works. Comments welcome.

 

Re: Metal Embossing

Thnq so much!

 

Re: Metal Embossing

Thanq nags,

I use glass colours (slovent based), Indian ink and industrial pigments. Earlier we used to get solvent based glass colours from Fevicryl which were very bright. Sadly the company has discontinued manufacturing these colours. There are other brands of glass colours in the market such as Colman. But these colours are dull and don't lend themselves to mixing well like Fevicryl.

 

Re: Metal Embossing

Thnq so much Vidya,

The metal used here is aluminium sheet. The thickness of the metal that is normally available at craft or novelty stores is usually about 0.3 - 0.35 mm. The problem is that sometimes these stores sell very thin sheets which does not take embossing very well and tends to develop stresses as you work on it.

I sometimes work on slightly thicker sheets depending on the subject and depth of embossing required, especially when doing large pieces of work.

As far as coluring of the metal is concerned aluminium has a particular problem. Aluminium when exposed forms a thin coating of aluminum oxide which resists application of most types of paints (i.e. it does not allow the paints to bond with the surface). But if pigments such as glass colours or acrylics are used it is better to frame the piece with glass so as to protect it from abrasions or scratches that it may be subjected to.

I don't heat treat often, but heating can produce amazing effects in the metal. The danger of heating is that sometimes the colouring may tend to peel off. It requires controlled application of heat.

This peculiar coluring problem is not there when working with copper or brass.

 

Re: Metal Embossing

Thnqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq!!!