What is Patina?

Patina refers to a surface layer that forms on metals like bronze, copper, and brass through natural oxidation or chemical treatment. While the term can describe any surface change—like on platinum jewelry—in sculpture, it specifically refers to the finish artists apply to achieve a desired color and tone.

Often green, brown, or blue, patina is prized not just for its immediate beauty, but for how it evolves over time. Sculptors select patinas knowing they will continue to shift with exposure to light, moisture, and air—becoming richer with age.


A1

French Brown

A very dark and rich brown that almost appears black at a distance, or in low light.

A2

Black Iron Oxide Black Raven

“Desert Raven” A very rich black onyx-like patina. It is not only beautiful, it's extremely durable outdoors.

A3

Cupric Blue-Green

Heavy application of Cupric Nitrate allows for a bold blue/green hue. Great for outdoors.

A4

Rusty Red Stippled

A Ferric and Titanium based patina stippled to mimic a rusty red-orange stone appearance.

A finished sculpture in an organic corkscrew pattern with rippled texture, cast in bronze and finished with a shiny high polish.

A5

High Polished

Our expert artisans polish bronze to a mirror-like finish. Best for indoor sculptures and requires post care.

B1

Dark Liver Ferric

A rich, warm brown that is darker in recesses and lighter when rubbed back in raised areas.

B2

M20 Highlight

An almost black patina that is rubbed back to expose the texture in your sculpture.

B3

Cupric Blue-Green

Same as A3 with a lighter stippled application, allowing for more dark areas. Great for outdoors.

B4

Gold Flash from Kippers Book

A beautiful stippled patina with rich reds from a strong Ferric solution and specs of iridescent silver from a few crystals of Silver Nitrate.

B5

M20 High Polish

High polished bronze is quickly saturated in M20 to create an amazing dark blue iridescent hue and sealed. Only applicable for smaller sculptures.

C1

Dark/Med Liver Ferric

A slightly lighter version of B1, with the same rich brown offerings. This patina stays a bit lighter in recessed areas.

C2

Bismuth M20

Black with highlights. An almost black patina with subtle white patterns that can be rubbed back to expose the texture in your sculpture. Color density 8.

C3

M20/Cupric Nitrate /Cobalt patina

Same patina as B3 with small amounts of cobalt pigment added for a deep, rich blue. Great for outdoors.

C4

Cupric Chloride, M20

A stippled patina with a dark background and yellow to pale blue offerings

D1

Medium Liver Ferric

Warm and bright golden color with dark in the lows. Color Density 7. Opaque and /slightly transparent.

D2

Bismuth/Titanium M20

Same Patina as C2 with Titanium Dioxide added for bolder stipplings of white.

D3

M20/Cupric Nitrate

A pinch of Ferric Nitrate and Chromium Oxide is added for a tree green hue. This customized patina has been given the nickname “Sonoran Verde”

D4

Silver Nitrate

The removal of oxides created in the patina process expose a beautiful grey/silver patina. Best for indoor sculptures.

E1

Medium Straight Ferric Patina, no Liver.

“Tequila Sunrise” Color Density 4. Rich golden hues with a slightly transparent quality.

E2

M20/ Bismuth Titanium

Heavy additions of Bismuth Nitrate and Titanium Dioxide add bold white colors to your piece.

F1

Light Straight Ferric

Light sunny hues with a transparent background.

F2

M20/Bismuth Nitrate

Bold additions of Bismuth Nitrate for an off white/taupe color.


Liver Ferric Patina

The Liver Ferric Patina is one of the most time-honored finishes, rooted in centuries of bronze work. Created using ferric nitrate and other compounds, this patina develops warm brown tones with golden or reddish highlights. Many love a Liver Ferric patina for an aged, classical-feeling surface. The finish mimics the soft wear of time while still allowing underlying detail to shine through. This makes it a favorite among artists seeking a timeless, earthy aesthetic.

At Bollinger Atelier, we offer Liver Ferric Patinas in a wide range of transparencies and densities. This allows for fine control over how much of the metal shows through and how dark or luminous the surface becomes. Our density scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 being the richest and darkest variation. Variants such as A1 through F1 are offered, with some formulas incorporating a liver base and others developed without it, giving artists and collectors nuanced options to best suit each piece.


Cupric Nitrate Patina

The Cupric Nitrate Patina is one of the most iconic and recognizable finishes in bronze sculpture. It produces a spectrum of greens that range from soft olive tones to the vibrant, blue-green hues of verdigris. Achieved through a heat-applied chemical process, this patina creates layered, atmospheric color. These tones recall the natural aging seen on historical monuments, garden statuary, and public fountains. It’s favored for outdoor works, where the green surface connects the sculpture to its landscape and evokes a sense of timelessness.

At Bollinger Atelier, we tailor each Cupric Nitrate application to match the artist’s vision. We carefully balance flame, chemical strength, and timing to produce the right tone, depth, and variation. While the base color is intentional, the patina evolves outdoors over time, offering a finish that matures alongside the work.

Our Custom Patina Finishes For Sculpture

Beyond Liver Ferric, our patina offerings span a wide spectrum of finishes. Each is crafted to bring out the full potential of bronze sculpture. We work with traditional chemical patinas as well as dyes and pigments, creating effects that range from subtle to bold. These finishes are applied through heat (hot patina), chemical application (cold patina), or a combination of both, depending on the desired outcome.

Each patina is developed in collaboration with the artist to reflect the vision and character of the piece. Our artisans have extensive experience with both classical methods and experimental approaches. We also pride ourselves on offering customizable finishes. Whether you’re seeking a historically informed treatment or a one-of-a-kind surface that pushes creative boundaries, our patina library is designed to inspire and adapt.


Bronze Sculpture Restoration and Repair Services

In addition to creating work, Bollinger Atelier offers restoration services for bronze sculpture and architectural elements. Our team of artisans can clean, repair, and re-patinate aged or damaged bronze, restoring it closely to its original condition. We can also work with you to refresh it with a new finish. From public monuments to private collections, we approach every restoration with care.

Founded in 1977 and led by sculptor Tom Bollinger, Bollinger Atelier offers expert services in repair, patination, waxing, and maintenance. We work on-site or in our studio, depending on the project needs. We are proud to be trusted by museums, cities, and collectors to care for sculptures that have stood the test of time.

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