When the word “metalwork” is used, some may think it is referring to tools or appliances made out of metal. While metal is a valuable part of these industries, those who work with metal often make beautiful artwork. Four primary techniques are used when using metal to make art.
Embossing
When an artist uses embossing during their metal artistic endeavors, they use a hammer to carve a design onto a metal surface. The “decorations” in these types of works are produced through a combination of heat and continual pressure by the hammer onto the metal. The “hammer” may be a variety of tools, but is often a set of roller dies.
When an artwork uses embossing, the actual image is lifted up from the background material. The resulting artworks create items of great contrast. Metal such as brass work very well with the embossing technique.
Stamping
Stamping is also known as pressing. This process involves placing a metal sheet that is completely flat into a stamping press. The press then “stamps” the metal into the appropriate shape. Both large items and smaller artworks are formed through the stamping process first.
Often, stamping is used along with other techniques, such as embossing. Many household items, such as teapots, are first submitted to the stamping process before they are made into intricate works of art though much more detailed artistic processes.
Engraving
Metalwork that is created through engraving uses the process of removing lines of metal from a surface. This tool is frequently known as a burin. Throughout art history, engravers were highly prized specialists who were able to work on metals such as copper in order to create paintings, prints and ornaments.
Coloring
After your metal has been embossed, pressed or engraved, it may then need some color. One of the most common forms of coloring involved gilding. This practice was a highly dangerous one, as it involved mixing a gold powder with mercury. This very toxic paste was then used to pain the metal before the mercury was burned off of the metal entirely.
Although this form of toxic decoration is no longer used, any number of much safer paints are used on metals to transform their appearance in modern art.
