ART CITY PATINA POLICY
We are committed to providing the best patinas for your sculpture. In order to best serve you and toreduce costs, we have established these policies.
Color References
Experience has taught us that verbal descriptions and emailed photographs are not reliable patina references. Cameras and computer monitors can read and display colors differently from reality and from each other. To avoid this confusion, the following references are recommended (in order of preference): printed off photographs (that you have seen and approved), patina tiles, and sample sculpture.
If we do not have adequate references, we cannot be responsible when the finished patina is not what you hoped. In these cases, if a re-patina is required, there will be additional charges.
Please be aware that what looks good on a sample may not translate well to your sculpture, so please factor in texture and shape.
Some other items to consider: Will this piece be indoors or outdoors? Will it be handled? Will it be exposed to extreme temperatures or sun? Adjustments may need to be made to ensure the patina’s stability over time.
Finding a reliable color reference can be time-consuming. When you place your order, please begin the process of collecting samples and sending them to the foundry so that the patina artist has time to review the process they will use on your sculpture and ask for further sources or clarification if needed.
Taking these steps at the beginning of the process is much better than trying to fix a problem later!
We Want to Help
If you are unsure about which patina to choose, we can provide a sample tile or two on tiles of similar texture (to be returned upon completion of the project). If you need more than 30 – 60 minutes to work out a patina plan, our patina artist can work with you at an hourly rate (some restrictions may apply due to other scheduled projects they are on).
Patina is a fascinating process! To respect the busy schedule of our patina artist, we invite you to watch our website videos to learn as much as possible and reserve learning questions for our patina artist that have to do with the development of your patina.
Cost Responsibility for Re-patinas
Even with reliable references, patinas will vary from sculpture to sculpture. When variations are beyond what experience tells us is reasonable, we will not charge for a repatina. When colors are within a reasonable range, we reserve the right to charge for a re-do of the patina.
We will likely need to go through a learning curve, especially with new customers. Once a patina is chosen and proven on your sculpture, we will keep records to recreate that patina. If you notice we are drifting, please let us know!