Product Application
Maintaining Bright Surfaces:

The highly reflective flake pigments used to produce Iridescent Mediums are extremely thin. These platelet pigments range from 1 to 2 microns in thickness, and up to 90 microns in diameter for the Fine and 180 microns for the Coarse. Consider that the surface of an average flake of Iridescent Pearl could carry over 50,000 Carbon Black pigment particles placed side by side. Due to the larger particle size and the transparent nature of mica, iridescent colors tend to be less potent than other acrylic formulations.

Although no rule is absolute, some procedures for maintaining bright surfaces have proven their effectiveness. What follows is a brief review of some of the more successful approaches.

To produce the brightest colors with the Interference line, add a very small amount of black-1:100 or less. The black will strengthen the reflected color. Add more black if darker colors are required.

To maintain the brightest possible effects with Iridescent Colors, avoid mixing them with opaque colors.

Be aware that blends made with matte materials such as matte mediums and matte gels will also reduce iridescent qualities by scattering the light that hits the surface. Adding gloss materials, such as GOLDEN Gloss Gel, increases interference qualities by heightening reflectivity. The addition of Gloss Gels and Mediums also provides better spacing between pigment particles, maximizing the effectiveness of each reflective pigment.

Overall, thicker applications will cloud the paint and weaken the intensity of the Interference Colors. Thinner applications increase the interference qualities. As the level of dilution increases, the pasty look disappears. Applying thin layers, whether by wash or glaze, effectively forces particles to lay flat with the large broad side facing the viewer. As more particle surfaces are exposed, the shimmer or luster increases.

Other Techniques and Considerations:

Since the Iridescent and Interference colors are relatively transparent, it is important to consider the impact of the base coat. By varying the color of the base coat, the overall color effect can be varied dramatically, especially when the Iridescent or Interference layer is applied transparently. For example, Interference Blue can be applied in glaze form over a light yellow or a dark red to yield some unique effects. Relatively transparent colors can be wet-blended into the Iridescent or Interference colors to produce other interesting results. Combining additional colors and Gloss Gels and Mediums can create some exciting glazes, in thin or thick films.

The important thing to remember about the Iridescent and Interference Colors is not to take them at face value. They can provide a range of colors and effects never before available, and many of their uses have yet to be discovered.