In seventh grade art class we took copper sheets and scribed images,
pictures, and patterns in the copper using wooden sticks that we
sharpened in the pencil sharpener, then slightly rounded the tip. The
opposite end was a flat chisel tip for scribing wider lines and
patterns. After we were done with the scribing, we used some kind of
"black oxide" and poured it over the entire surface of the sheet of
copper. It then went into a kiln heated to 150 F. for about 4 hours.
When we took the copper sheet out, it was completely corroded to a
nearly black color. We then took 00 steel wool and cleaned away the
black oxide, so that there was only black oxide in the scribings. By
rubbing the steel wool more lightly over some areas you could get all
kinds of shading. The copper foil was then tacked to a finished piece of
wood backing slightly larger than the foil, which acted like a frame.
The finished pictures, if I may say so myself, turned out just amazingly
beautiful, with all kinds of various patinas. We were all amazed that we
could do that well.
I do not know what the black oxide material was, but I am sure if you
asked an art teacher they could probably point you in the right
direction. This was one of the most fun art projects that I ever did,
and mine turned out especially well (one of the few A's I got in junior
high!). I still have it; it hangs in my cabin. 

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jack Olson
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 12:30 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] NTC: Tarnishing Copper

Does anyone know how to make copper tarnish FASTER?

(I want to make a wire sculpture look older)

Saturday project.... Jack

---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0 To
unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or
(re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET
Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the
posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the
archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please
visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for
additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or
847-615-7100 ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------