I had a discussion the other day about the fact that people often pay good money to have something look like it has rusted with age, the fashionable use of Corten steel being an example. I have a love of letting sculptures develop as they will over the years, with minimal interference and restoration. Wooden ones sometimes need more attention but I love the way the metal ones change. Different metals have different characteristics and alloying and oxidisation processes affect that. I think the sculptures have a better feel and texture if left to evolve, with minimal interference, though lately I have been using a weak oil paint and linseed oil mix on parts of them to slow and subtly alter the changes.
Here are some examples.
