I’ve never painted on copper, but I’ve wanted to for a long time. Copper is, historically, one of the most stable supports to paint on with oil. I recently purchased some small 5 × 7” sheets of copper from the hardware store. I mounted this one on hardboard with Gorilla Glue. I then cleaned it with denatured alcohol and scuffed it with sandpaper. While painters back in the day primed with lead white, I’m going to paint directly on the surface of the copper and leave some of it showing. The panel looks beautiful and I really want to see how it takes the paint. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
hi — How did the painting on copper work out? I’m curious to see what you came up with.
Takeyce,
Thanks for the enquiry.
I haven’t painted on it yet; my wife had a baby instead. As soon as I have a little more time, I will see what oil on copper is like and post an update.
Congrats on the new addition to your family! The copper can wait. ;o)
I’d also love to see how the copper painting came out. I have a student in my painting class who is doing one and it is lovely.
Sharon,
I pretty much left it the way it looks in my last post. It was intended to be a small study. At some point, I plan to locate source of larger copper sheets so that I can do some full-size paintings in oil on copper.
I would really like to know whether you have tried that copper support—can only think that it should be beautiful– that lustrous glow through transparent glazing! but it might be too mirrorlike? Perhaps the master painters who painted on copper panels had a point when they stippled on some lead white after wiping with a garlic clove.
Estelle,
Yes, I did. I wish copper weren’t so expensive right now, because I would love to buy a bunch of copper panels and paint on them.
It’s not magic, however; just a very good surface to paint on. It takes the paint readily and the first layer dries quickly. Glazing over it doesn’t create so wonderful an effect as you might imagine, because the metal isn’t shiny under the glaze, it’s dark and dull. You can create interesting effects by leaving some areas of the copper panel exposed. Benjamin Shamback paints on copper, for example, and does that quite often.
Historically, it’s my understanding that most paintings on copper were first primed with a layer of lead white.
I am doing research on Claude Lorrain who painted “a pastoral Landscape” with oil on copper and I am curoise on how it works.
Bree,
Not much to know if you already know how to paint in oil. You can prime it (traditionally with lead white) or just paint on it. Either way, it’s an excellent surface to paint on.
Too bad copper is so expensive.
Hi. I paint with oil only on copper. I have been painting plein aire (ourdoors) with copper panels for three years now. I love this archival substrate. I do hope you get a chance to paint on copper. I have a lot of information regarding painting on copper on my website under the heading “Why Copper?” There is a book listed there all about copper paintings. Nice to see another person painting with copper.
Susan,
Unfortunately, I don’t have a source of affordable copper panels, so I mostly have to paint on other surfaces. If I could afford it, I’d paint on copper a lot more.
Renee,
I’m preparing a copper panel to paint on, and want to know did you paint directly on the panel without cleaning it? and if so will that effect the longevity of the art?
Kathleen,
You can paint directly on the copper panel. Rub it down with sandpaper to create a slightly rough surface that the paint can mechanically adhere to, then clean it with rubbing alcohol. Then you’re good to go.
What is you site address Susan?
HI David. I have found scrap copper panels more inexpensive at metal shops. I use only 16 ounce.
Thanks, Susan. I’ll see what I can find.
Yes Susan I did the same and feel less guilty using this material knowing I am re-purposing something that is a scrap from the construction industry.
I have been trying my hand at oil on copper,but would like to apply all the wonderful techniques and mediums available to me with acrylics. Has anyone tried this and what do you use to prepare the copper with so it will receive the acrylic or do you just sand and clean it as per the oil method? Thanks!