Malleable, durable and lustrous, copper sheets have long before been used in artworks by artists and craftsmen aiming for a variety of looks, be it reproductions of artifact imagery or rustic décor. From something illustrious like paintings to something nondescript like lamp covers and luminaria, artists and craftsmen turn to many a trusted copper sheet supplier for quality copper they can use in their artworks and projects.
Copper as a Canvas
Rembrandt, El Greco, Reni and Chardin all had something in common: they produced some of the finest art masterpieces on a copper sheet. Artists who were alive during the Renaissance era exercised their creativity and prodigious skills with canvases made of copper, which are still being used today.
This is contrary to popular belief that most masters of art created their masterpieces on panels or canvas, but instead were painted on copper metal. The luster and luminescent shine glowing beneath the paint among these masterpieces had even lasted for over three centuries. Now, contemporary artists like Karina Keri-Matuszak have been using the old way of painting on a copper sheet and giving the old practice new life.
When working her magic on copper, she paints as though she works on a regular canvas. There are, however, some considerations to keep in mind when working with copper sheets as canvas. First, colors tend to run when the copper is too wet, yet if you can find a way to work around this effect, you can certainly achieve an attractive effect. Keri-Matuszak is just among the many contemporary American artists utilizing copper and its aesthetic properties to create a stunning work of art.
Copper in Other Art Forms
Copper isn’t only being used for both contemporary and classic paintings. Most artists use copper sheets to create embossed art expressions, wherein a figure or an artistic design is being etched and embossed in copper. Others craft an artistic furniture, wherein copper sheets are infused in discarded or damaged furniture to transform them into a work of art. Some artists even opt to incorporate copper sheets in a mixed-media collage on a foam or on a canvas.
Whatever way you plan on using these, copper sheets can add a subtle shimmer and luster to paintings and can make for a suitable material for other art forms. If you’re wondering where to buy copper sheets, look no further. Companies like Rotax Metals offer copper sheets, among many others, that craftsmen and artists can use in creating a contemporary artwork that’s inspired by the past.
Sources:
Art Projects With Copper Sheets, eHow
Copper in the Arts, Copper Development Association, Inc.
