Polychromeringstekniker

Polychromering is the practice of applying multiple colors to a surface to achieve a polychromatic effect. The term is used across several disciplines, including painting, sculpture, architecture, ceramics, and, in contemporary contexts, digital media. It encompasses techniques that introduce color in layered or combined forms, such as pigment painting, staining, glazing, inlay with colored materials, enameling, and, with digital tools, color mapping and colorization of three-dimensional models.

In traditional arts, polychromering often involved layering pigments and glazes on surfaces like stone, wood, or plaster to simulate natural variation, emphasize detail, or convey symbolic meanings. Historical examples include polychromy on ancient statues and architectural ornament, medieval and Renaissance decor, and various cultural crafts where color played a central role. Over time, many original polychrome surfaces have faded or been removed, leading to scholarly interest in reconstruction, conservation, and accurate documentation of original color schemes.

Practices in conservation and restoration emphasize reversibility, documentation, and ethical considerations. Restorers may conduct pigment analyses, preserve original materials, and apply retouching only to a reversible degree to communicate the intended appearance without masking underlying evidence. In modern production and digital art, polychromering also refers to colorizing surfaces or textures for visual effect, including 3D printing, animation, and virtual simulations. Related terms include polychromy, polychromed, and colorization.