irridescent paint

[icarve2003]

Hopefully I've spelled it correctly.

How do you use it? I bought a set of 8 little bottles that came with no instructions. Do you mix it with regular paint?

Thanks,
Chris

Are these the irredescent powders, Chris, or actual paints? If they are powders, they are either sprinkled on wet paint, as it is drying, or mixed with transparent paints. If it is an actual paint, I would guess that it is used full strength, probably dry brushed over the base colors.

If you know the brand, I'd write to the mfg. and see what their recommendatrions are, or maybe even locate their website on line for instructions.

this is probably not much help, but without more info, it's kinda hard to answer.

Al

[David_Aaron_Sercel]

I have never used powders, I use the JoSonja irredescent paints, but I
have heard that you can either mix it sparingly with the paint prior to
application, or apply it *by sprinkling it on afterwards. But that mixing
it with the paint turns out better.

I've never tried it, this is just what I have heard.

If it is paint, you can just use it like regular paint, except that it doesn't
take much at all to get a good effect, and it should be applied in small
quantities and not in a thick coat. It's easy to overdo it. It also looks
better to apply a few very thin washes over top of the irredescence to
tone it down a little and give it more depth.

[Callynne]

Chris, I haven't used the powders either just the paints. Just experiment, I found I like the look of painting them over acrylic colors, it takes some testing though, the matching color iridescent may not match the color acrylic, it may make it an entirely different color. Experiment, you're going to love the effect! Callynne

i have not used irridescent powder but have started some research as i have a duck to paint.so for what its worth
one source told me he just sprinkled it on wet paint.
the painting schedule i found for my duck gave the following formula green=thalo green(5)-black(1)+irr powder but it does not say if it mixed wih paint or sprinkled on the wet paint.
Cam Merkle in Carving illustrated Summer2001 offered the following for each color you want to use a small blob of thick medium(size of a pea) on your pallet then scoop some irr. powder(1/4size of medium) and mix. if it begins to blob and a small amount of glazing medium.then use a dry-brush technique to apply paint.but he added the you should practice on a scap piece to get effect you want.
hope this helps a little,rather than confuse

Well, I've used both powders and paint. I do like the powder form but here's 2-3 things I've learned. First, paint the relevant part of the carving with a thin wash (or two) of regular acryllic in the color that you want. When dry, take that same thinned paint and add just a tiny amount of irridescent powder (I usually just touch the tip of a damp brush into the powder and whatever sticks, I use) and use this to go over the painted area that you want to look irridescent. Second, sometimes using a complimentary irridescent color is more effective than using one in the same color as the paint job. Ie...use green irridescent over blue paint---blue irridescent over green. And third, keep separate paint brushes for regular painting and irridescent painting---the little flecks of irridescent are almost impossible to get completely out of your paintbrush and the next time you use it for regular painting, you'll still get those little flecks in your new paint jobs. Sometimes that's ok and others it just ruins the look.

Oh yes, one of the ways I like to use irridescent is to put a highlight in an animal's eye instead of the little white highlight I usually use in the eyes of people. It is subtle and more realistic.

I have used the paint that are already mixed with shimmer but I prefer the powder. I don't use it very often and a little bit goes a long way. Anyway, this is my experience.

Donna T