Paint with a Sparkle!
Glittery, Shimmery and Metallic watercolour paints
Watercolour painting is an art form that is both ancient and perpetually modern, captivating with its fluidity and vibrant colours. As a watercolour enthusiast myself, I have always been fascinated by the variety of pigments available - each offering unique properties and effects. Today, let's dive into an enchanting world of metallic, glitter, shimmer, and real mineral watercolour paints, exploring their composition, colour quality, environmental and health impacts, artistic implications, and how to use them effectively.
Daniel Smith's Duochrome watercolour paint shimmers on the palette.
Exploring Metallic, Glitter, Shimmer, and Real Mineral Pigments
I painted Light Gold metallic watercolour paint over the red bow of this Christmas bell to make it glisten.
Glittery, shimmery paints offer artists an enchanting dimension beyond traditional colour palettes, infusing their artworks with a dynamic, luminous quality that captures and reflects light in mesmerizing ways.
Much like the magpie, drawn irresistibly to shiny objects, humans are naturally captivated by sparkle and brilliance, which these paints provide. This attraction allows artists to use shimmery paints not merely for decoration but as a powerful tool to add depth and life to their work. They enable the simulation of natural elements like glistening water, twinkling stars, or the iridescent sheen of bird feathers with a realism and vibrancy that flat paints cannot achieve.
By incorporating shimmery watercolour paint, artists can elevate their work, engaging viewers’ senses and emotions more profoundly, and pushing the boundaries of traditional watercolour techniques.
Painting metallic watercolour paint on Christmas bells.
Metallic Watercolour Paints
Metallic watercolour paint is formulated with finely ground metallic pigments, which could be real metals like bronze or aluminium, or synthetic substitutes that mimic their reflective properties. These paints provide a uniform metallic sheen, similar to polished metal. They are somewhat opaque, which allows for strong coverage over other colours.
Kuretake Gansai Tambi - This Japanese brand offers a range called "Starry Colors," which includes metallic watercolour paints that are highly pigmented and show excellent luminosity on both white and dark papers.
Gorgeous shimmering metallic watercolour paints.
The metallic watercolours are vibrant and can add a rich, lustrous effect to your paintings. Depending on the metals used, some metallic watercolour paints might contain heavy metals, so it's important to check the labels for any toxicity warnings. Metallic watercolour paints are perfect to add highlights or creating artworks that need a bold, reflective quality.
They work beautifully on both white and dark papers. On white paper, they shine subtly, whereas on black paper, their reflective qualities are dramatically enhanced. Mixing metallic watercolour paints with other watercolours can dilute their metallic effect but offer interesting colour variations. Some brands offer liquid metallic watercolours, which are pre-mixed and can be used directly with a brush for smoother application.
Metallic watercolor paints on black watercolour paper.
Glitter and Shimmer Watercolour Paints
These paints incorporate small particles of mica or synthetic additives that reflect light, creating a sparkling or iridescent effect. Glitter paints show visible sparkles, whereas shimmer paints give a more understated, pearlescent look. The vibrancy can vary, but generally, these paints add a luminous quality to your work.
The Duochrome series by Daniel Smith create a unique visual effect by shifting between two distinct colours depending on the viewing angle and the quality of light.
It's important to choose brands that use eco-friendly mica and safe glitter particles. They are ideal for festive scenes or projects where you want an extra bit of dazzle. Like metallics, glitter and shimmer paints are effective on both light and dark papers.
On black backgrounds, their sparkling properties are particularly striking. They can be mixed with other watercolours, though this may reduce their reflective properties. Some shimmer effects are achieved using loose powder that can be mixed with water or medium to create a paint, offering customizable intensity of the sparkle. Most common shimmer watercolour paints come in pans.
Real Mineral Watercolour Paints
These paints are made from natural minerals that are finely ground into pigment. They offer a connection to the earthy sources of their colours. Expect a granulating effect that adds texture to your paintings.
Colours derived from minerals like lapis bronzite, fluorite or hematite are not only vibrant but also lightfast, ensuring longevity in your art. Most mineral pigments are non-toxic and eco-friendly, although the mining practices for these minerals can vary in their environmental impact.
Two colours from Daniel Smith's PrimaTek series, which consists of watercolours made from naturally occurring pigments derived directly from the earth. These are Fuchsite Genuine and Amethyst Genuine.
These pigments connect you to the historical practices of the old masters and are perfect for those who appreciate natural beauty and subtlety in their artworks. Mineral paints perform well on white and paper, offering a depth of texture and colour unique to their composition. Mixing them with other types of watercolours can enhance both the visual texture and the range of hues in your palette.
I painted this seagull using a grey I mixed from French Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna. I enhanced the visual texture and hue by including the two mineral paints pictured above.
A closer look at the two mineral pigments.
For artists who prefer a DIY approach, pure mineral pigments are available in powder form. These can be mixed with a binding agent to create custom watercolour paints, allowing full control over the consistency and saturation of the paint.
Choosing the Right Brushes for Glitter Watercolour Paints
Using the right tools can significantly affect the application and final appearance of your watercolour paints, especially when dealing with unique mediums like glitter paints. Here are some tips on choosing brushes for these special paints:
Soft Natural Bristles
For a smooth application of glitter watercolours, soft natural bristle brushes are ideal. They are gentle enough to pick up the fine particles without causing dispersion that might reduce the sparkle effect. Glitter can be a bit tougher to wash out so I would advise against using your best kolinsky sable brushes.
This soft brush has squirrel hair.
Synthetic Brushes
These brushes are a good alternative to natural bristles as they tend to hold less water, which can be beneficial when you want to control the amount of liquid and prevent diluting the glitter concentration.
Glitter and shimmer paints can sometimes settle into the bristles of brushes, so it's important to clean them thoroughly after each use. Gentle soap and warm water should remove any residual paint, preserving the quality and lifespan of your brushes.
Synthetic brushes.
Which paper works best with shimmery pigments?
When using shimmering watercolour pigments, the choice of paper can significantly influence how the shimmer effects appear and perform. Here are some recommendations for selecting the right type of paper to get the best results with shimmering watercolours:
Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper
Hot pressed paper is smooth and has a fine-grain surface. This smoothness allows shimmering particles to sit on the surface evenly and reflect light uniformly, enhancing the shimmer effect. Opt for heavier weights (300 gsm or more) to ensure the paper can handle water without warping.
Shimmer paint on hot press paper.
Shimmer paint painted over dried watercolour paint on this butterfly on hot pressed paper.
Cold Pressed Watercolour Paper
Texture: Cold pressed paper is slightly textured but still smooth enough to display shimmer effectively. This texture can add an interesting dimension to the shimmer as light reflects variably off the textured surface. Like hot pressed, a heavier weight paper (300 gsm or more) is preferable as it is durable and less prone to warping.
Duochrome shimmer paints on cold pressed paper.
Black or Toned Watercolour Paper
Colour Impact: Shimmering pigments can look particularly striking on black or toned papers. The contrast between the dark background and the sparkling pigments can make the colours pop and the shimmer stand out more vividly. Ensure the paper is specifically designed for watercolour techniques to handle the moisture without buckling.
Shimmering pigments on black watercolour paper
Synthetic Paper
Papers like Yupo are synthetic and provide a non-absorbent surface. Shimmering watercolour pigments on synthetic paper stay on the surface, which maximises their reflective properties and creates intense shimmer effects. This paper can be a bit challenging to manage due to its non-absorbent nature, so it might take some practice to get used to how the paint behaves on it.
Practical Tips for Using Special Watercolour Paints
Each type of pigment - whether it’s metallic, glitter, shimmer, or real mineral - brings a unique set of qualities to the table, transforming simple paintings into complex, textured, and radiant works of art. Experimenting with these materials not only expands your artistic toolkit but also connects you deeper with the traditions and innovations of watercolour painting.
Enhancing Techniques for Specialty Paints
Wet on Wet Mastery
One of my favourite techniques to employ with glitter and shimmer paints is the wet-on-wet approach. By adding these sparkling paints to a wet surface, you can create mesmerizing, fluid patterns that catch the light with every turn. It’s like watching stars twinkle in a midnight sky.
Metallic watercolours on wet paper
Dry Brush Drama
When using metallic or mineral paints, I often turn to the dry brush technique. By lightly dragging a dry brush loaded with paint over rough watercolour paper, the granulation and texture you can achieve are truly astonishing. It adds a tactile dimension that is as pleasurable to touch as it is to view.
Daniel Smith's Duochrome Turquoise dry brushed on textured paper.
Layer Upon Layer
Layering these paints can transform a flat painting into a dynamic scene. Start with a light wash of traditional watercolour, let it dry, then apply a thin layer of shimmer or metallic paint for an effect that exudes depth and complexity.
Mixing Media for Stunning Effects
Graphite Definitions
I love to experiment with my art and recently I combined graphite with metallic watercolours. I used Yellow Gold from the Kuretake Gansai Tambi set.
I drew this seagull study in graphite in my sketchbook in preparation for the watercolour painting pictured above.
I experimented with some 'Blue Gold' from the 'Starry Colors' set to enhance the drawing.
Gouache for Opacity
Integrating gouache with shimmer or glitter paints can elevate the vibrancy of your piece. The opacity of gouache underpins the transparency of glitter, making your artwork pop with an irresistible vibrancy.
Creative Projects to Spark Inspiration
Whether you're looking to brighten up the your artwork or explore the boundaries of colour and texture, specialty watercolour paints like glitter and metallics open up a world of possibilities. These vibrant mediums are not just for traditional painting; they can transform ordinary projects into magical pieces of art that resonate with energy and creativity.
Festive Creations
With the holiday season always around the corner, why not use glitter and metallic paints to craft custom cards or decorations? The sparkle and shine bring a festive cheer that no store-bought card could match.
Abstract Explorations
For those who revel in the abstract, these paints offer a playground of visual effects. Use them to express emotions or atmospheres, where the narrative is colour, light, and texture.
A beautiful abstract painting with metallic watercolour paint accents - painted by Jenny, a patron of mine.
Detailing and Highlights
Use glitter or metallic paints to add fine details to the wings of your butterfly illustrations or crafts. The reflective properties of these paints can mimic the natural shimmer of real butterfly wings. These paints can bring an ethereal or whimsical quality to your artwork.
Paint some metallic watercolors over the top of a finished watercolor painting of a butterfly to add some sparkle.
Preserving Your Artwork
To keep the sparkle from fading or rubbing off, a spray fixative or a specialised varnish can be used. It seals the pigments and ensures that your artwork remains as vivid as the day it was painted.
Framing for Longevity
When framing, choosing UV-protective glass can safeguard the colours from light damage, maintaining the integrity of your work over time.
Washing Down the Drain
I encourage seeking out brands that prioritise eco-friendly practices. This not only supports the environment but also ensures that our art does not become a footprint of harm.
Environmental Impact
Most shimmering paints are designed to be non-toxic to users, but this doesn't necessarily mean they're harmless to the environment. Mica and other additives can accumulate in water systems and potentially impact aquatic life. The environmental safety of washing these materials down the drain largely depends on their specific chemical composition and the local water treatment facilities' ability to process such materials.
In regions with strict environmental regulations, it’s best to minimise the amount of any paint washed down the drain. Instead, consider wiping excess paint from brushes onto a rag or paper towel before rinsing them under water.
Wiping excess paint from the brush on some paper towel.
Safe Disposal Tips
Use as much paint as possible on your palette to reduce waste. Allow water containers used for rinsing brushes to settle, then dispose of the solid waste in the trash and limit the amount of contaminated water going down the drain.
Inhalation Risks
Generally, watercolour paints, including those with shimmer and glitter, are not aerosolized in a way that would pose inhalation risks under normal use. They are typically safe when used as intended. However, if you are using powdered forms of mica or other components to mix your own paints or mediums, there is a potential risk of inhaling fine particles. It’s essential to work in a well-ventilated area and consider wearing a dust mask to avoid inhaling these particles.
Health Precautions
Always use paints and materials in well-ventilated spaces.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines, particularly regarding the use of masks or protective gear when handling powders.
While shimmering watercolour paints are largely safe for typical artistic use, being mindful of how you handle and dispose of these materials can help reduce environmental impact and maintain a healthy, safe art-making space. Always check the labels for any specific precautions recommended by the manufacturer.
Bringing It All Together
The world of specialty watercolour pigments like metallic, glitter, shimmer, and real mineral paints is rich with potential. By embracing these materials and techniques, you can transform simple swatches of colour into complex, radiant masterpieces that tell stories and evoke emotions.
Whether through the playful twinkle of glitter or the deep sheen of metallics, your artwork can shine in new and unexpected ways.
As always, I urge you to experiment, explore, and let your creativity lead the way. Go ahead and sparkle! Happy painting!
If you are interested in learning to paint in watercolour, I have over 170 online, voiced over watercolour tutorials for all skill levels.
