WHAT IS FLAME PAINTING?

And, why is it different from just coloring with a flame?

Flame "Painting" is not just the coloring of the surface of a copper form with a flame.  It is the skilled control of the flame from an oxyacetylene torch to create shapes and colors with intentional design and composition.  Since the clear coats that are used to hold the colors in place are a more modern invention, this is a relatively new art form.  It takes years to build the skills needed to be able to paint intentional design and composition with a flame rather than merely creating happy accidents.  Here are a few more details to help you understand the process.

It's not how hot the flame is, but it's how hot you get the metal that brings out the particular colors you want.  You see, it is a surface treatment using the heat to build layers of oxidation (oxygen molecules).  The different layers of oxidation create the different colors in copper and these layers are made by different amounts of heat.  Also, whatever happens to be in the air on a particular day can effect the colors you get, making it difficult to control the outcome of a piece.  Plus, when the clear coat is applied to stop the oxidation and make the colors stay, the clear coat itself changes the colors.  Therefore each piece is quite unique.  We figure we're in control of the lightness or darkness of the colors as well as the shapes and patterns, and God's in control of the particular colors (the actual hues).  This makes for an interesting and exciting partnership!

So, how are the shapes and patterns created?  This is the drawing, and we use the side of the flame to draw with, the blue haze around the cone.  This is a "reduction atmosphere" where all of the oxygen molecules have been used up to make the fire in the cone.  It's the perfect drawing tool as it "reduces" the number of oxygen molecules on the surface of a fully oxidized brown piece of copper, leaving a clear copper shape.  This shape then can be colored with the heat.  We create the hottest color first and then progressively cooler colors.  The outcome is a layered effect of colors.  The effect is then made permanent with the application of a urathane clear coat. 

We have learned that the strongest artistic statement comes from going for high conrast (the darkest colors placed next to the lightest colors) rather than going for specific colors.  It takes years of practice and endurance to flame paint copper with great control.  The end product is a unique piece of art created by skilled artisans for your pleasure!