Helen Shirk, who teaches metalsmithing at San Diego State University,
makes large repoussed bowl shapes from copper and then uses prismacolor
pencils to color them. She has also done some scaled down pieces as
jewelry (all in copper I believe. One of her students uses the same
technique to make small copper tiles which she then assembles into picture
frames, candle holders and decorative objects. Don’t know the exact
process, however it seems to me you would have to start with a surface
that would accept the color. Perhaps a sanded surface or an annealed
surface. After the color is applied the surface must be sealed. and not
subject to much abrasion. You might be able to reach Helen through the
SDSU website: http://www.sdsu.edu
She showes her work nationally and it can be found in back issues of
Metalsmith and American Craft.
Steven Brixner - Jewelry Designer - San Diego CA USA
mailto:@Steven_Brixner3
http://home.worldnet.att.net/~brixner