Why do my metallic pigments seem to barely make a difference when added to acrylic paint?

Question

I have seen paintings on art.com and you can clearly notice the metallic-ness (I know thats not a word but you know what I mean) of the paint. I went and got some "Pearl Ex" pigment at the art supplies store to try to get the same effect. I even bought just plain silver acrylic paint and tried mixing it with the color I want. I still can not get the same effect as I see in the paintings on art.com. What am I doing wrong or not doing at all that I need to do? Did I even buy the right thing to mix with my colors? Because its annoying me to no end! I sit there for ever fussing around with the paint and mixing...and adding and more mixing...I cant ever make it how I want it. I am new to acrylic painting but I am constantly reading up on it and I can not find the answer to this question anywhere. Anyone even know what I'm talking about that could give me any tips??

Answer 1

If you are using an opaque acrylic it will block out all the metalics except those on the outer surface. Either mix it into a transparent colour/medium or buy a premixed acrylic metallic.

Answer 2

The kind of acrylics sold in spraycans for painting cars (& radiators, household uses etc) do some good metallic effects. Some spraycan artists use these onto coated paper, primed canvas, or artboard. The pictures you have seen might have been painted 'flat' or 'matt', with metallic layers added towards the end, and perhaps several 'varnishes' of laquer (which can also contain 'pearlised' effect pigments).

The main problem with effect additives is the amount you need to add, in order to get a decent effect. Factory-mixed metallics use finer reflective flakes, and a very careful balance of metallic, colour, and binder ingredients.

Answer 3

I haven't tried that myself but I'm thinking you might get a more metallic effect if you mixed the paint with a gel and layered it on. The metallic pigments might just be getting lost in the opaque paint.

(edit) You can also put metallic stuff over the top of a painting like glitter, gold leaf anything. If I could see an example of the effect you want I (or someone else) might be able to help more.

Answer 4

As you've noticed, the paint is going to eat up the metallic pigment.

The shine comes from the refraction of light. It can't refract the light as well (or at all) from inside something opaque.

You could try dusting the surface of wet paint with the pigment (blowing or brushing away the excess after the paint has dried). Or suspending it in a transparent glaze.

Some metallic spray paints are also pretty good. As is gold, silver, and copper leaf (probably the brightest finish).

Answer 5

Hi there,

If you bought dry pigment to add to paint you need to mull it in, not just mix it by stirring. To mull, typically you use a glass muller to crush the pigment into the binder, in your case, acrylic paint. However, the more pigment you grind into the paint the more chance of having dried paint surface that is extremely matte and brittle. If you are using artist grade acrylic paint, the pigment load should already be high so going overboard can be easy. Check out Golden Artist Colors iridescent colors for top of the line quality metallic paint. They come in fluid and heavy body consistencies so you can be sure to find what you need for any application. You can check them out on the web at this address. They are located and make all their paint in upstate NY (Not China) and they have awesome tech support if you email or call them. http://www.goldenpaints.com/products/color/heavybody/iridchart.php

Answer 6

Acrylic paint drying time can be extended a little bit by adding a product called Floating Medium. Several types of this can be found at your local craft store in small and large bottle quantities. Also you can try keeping a spray bottle at hand, one with a fine mist spray setting, this won't mar the strokes, paint or cause it to run as long as you don't over spray while you paint.

Answer 7

I think you are going about it all wrong. When I need a strong silver or gold, I go to a hobby store and buy the stuff for models. It need turpentine to clean, but it really stands out.
I don't know of a way to make acryllics to look metallic, the vehicle is all wrong. It's like mixing oil and water.
There are web sites that sell all the basic ingredients to make your own paint from scratch. The Renaisance painters did, why not you.

Answer 8

maybe you dont notice it because you know the metallic's in there
and pics on a computer screen
could have been computer genreated
or they layered their painting with some
type of film like liquid