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Metallic Paints

Metallic or iridescent acrylic paints (and inks) can be used in the same way as any other acrylic paints. While they make an interesting departure from the usual dark brown used for antiquing, metallic paints are chiefly used for mokume gane and crackled-paint effects.

Each person has his or her own favorite brand of paints for crackling or using in mokume gane. Every brand acts a bit differently from the others, so keep looking until you find one you like. Combining different paints can create appealing results, too, particularly when crackling, since each paint will crackle in a slightly different way.

If you have crackling in mind, you'll want to avoid paints intended for fabrics. Fabric paints, such as the Lumiere paints from Jacquard, are formulated to stretch, so they tend not to crackle like other acrylics do. While Lumiere paints provide beautiful results in mokume gane, for crackling, you'll likely do better with the metallic lines from FolkArt or DecoArt (Dazzling Metallics). Some people have found that "crackle-ability" can vary even within one brand of paint. One bottle of one color may crackle beautifully while another does not. Experimentation is key.

Metallic inks can also be used in many of the same ways as metallic acrylic paints. For instance, the Posh Impressions line of metallic inks crackle well and also look very pretty in mokume gane. Daler-Rowney's Pearlescent Liquid Acrylic Colors (which are located in the calligraphy section of most craft stores) are available in a line of beautiful colors that crackle beautifully.

If you have mica powders, it is possible to make your own metallic or iridescent paints from them. Just mix a little powder with a squirt or two of Future Floor Finish (or any other polymer clay-friendly medium of your choice) until you reach the desired consistency. This type of paint works well for crackling.

Examples

Pearlescent Liquid Acrylic Inks, from Daler-Rowney-
These calligraphy inks come in luscious colors that crackle beautifully. They can also be used for mokume gane and other techniques that require acrylics.
http://www.daler-rowney.com/prod_catalogue/disp_Products.asp?category=6&brand=15

Lumiere, from Jacquard-
Metallic and pearlescent paints that remain flexible after drying. Not good for crackling, but works for mokume gane or other techniques. (If you are determined to crackle them, try diluting them with water and crackling them as soon as they are dry.)
http://www.jacquardproducts.com/products/paints/lumiere/

Golden Iridescent Acrylics-
Reflective, metallic or iridescent acrylic paints. These paints should work for crackling, mokume gane, or any other technique that requires acrylic paint. This brand also carries interference colors, as well as standard acrylics.
http://www.goldenpaints.com/products/color/fluid/fldirid1.php

Liquitex Interference Colors-
Each color of paint demonstrates the "interference flip". These paints should work for crackling, mokume gane, or any other technique that requires acrylic paint. This brand also carried iridescent/metallic colors, as well as standard acrylics.
http://www.liquitex.com/Products/paintinterference.cfm

Dazzling Metallics, from DecoArt-
Available in 25 colors. Crackles, though results may be inconsistent from color to color or bottle to bottle.
http://www.decoart.com/cgi-bin/Products.cgi?Dazzling_Metallics

FolkArt Metallics, from Plaid-
Available in 32 colors. Crackles, though results may be inconsistent from color to color or bottle to bottle.
http://www.plaidonline.com/productSearchResults.asp?productName=FolkArt+%AE+Metallics

Craft Twinkles, from DecoArt-
These aren't metallic (or interference or iridescent)-they're glittery acrylic paint. They come in fourteen colors and crackle like ordinary acrylic paint.
http://www.decoart.com/cgi-bin/Products.cgi?Craft_Twinkles

Iridescent Medium, from Liquitex-
Make any of your acrylic paints iridescent by mixing them with this medium. Works best with transparent or translucent paints, but will also work with opaque colors. (Other brands of acrylic paint produce similar products.)
http://www.liquitex.com/Products/fluidmediripearltint.cfm

Availability

Look for metallic, iridescent, or interference acrylics near (mixed in amongst) other acrylics-either in the craft paint section or the artists' materials section of craft stores. Fabric paints, like Lumiere paints, will be in the fabric decoration section, and inks will be in the stamping or calligraphy aisles of the store. Many specialty acrylics are also available on-line.

Metallic Paints

Metallic or iridescent acrylic paints (and inks) can be used in the same way as any other acrylic paints. While they make an interesting departure from the usual dark brown used for antiquing, metallic paints are chiefly used for mokume gane and crackled-paint effects.

Examples

Availability

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