Help with fantasy colours.

John Bowery · Dec 4, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would very much appreciate any help I can get on the latest project.
I am doing the Scorpio models slow rider. 54m/m
I have the snail the colour that I want him/her. But I would like to have the body look a little like scales. To have them shine and glisten like Angel wings or dragonfly wings in the colour that I have them already.

If I use metal they will look to metallic so I would like colours kinda like shiny pearlescent. I have tried the Alclad prismatic but they will not do it unless the base coat is black????.

If you have any idea on paint colours to maybe use a wash or glaze I will get some.

Here are the photo's so far.

The golds and silver metalics in enamel seem to separate to much to use as a glaze. The inks cover to well to seem to be able to use as a glaze.

If you have any ideas I can try to get the effect I would like would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot,
Cheers
John

housecarl · Dec 4, 2010

Hi John I've never tried it but there's this http://www.paintsprays.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=232
Or http://www.dickblick.com/categories/acrylics/#iridescentpearlandinterferencecolors
The eyes look stunning,
Carl.

kagemusha · Dec 4, 2010

Hi John, not sure if you can get Daler Rowney stuff in the USA but, if so, they do a set of 'Iridescent' acrylics in tubes that have a pearlised finish. They come in a set and the colours are very 'Fantasy' in origin. Look them up on the web and if they fit the bill I would be happy to get a set to you.
Regards,
Ron

RFL · Dec 4, 2010

Very nice work John !

In my experience, the pure iridescent paints tend to be somewhat grainy.

Jim uses a combination of acrylic inks and/or Future over flat acrylics to get IMO a good iridescent finish, as on his Alien Pile here:

http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/showthread.php?p=373592#post373592

Besides being a nice guy, he`s also very helpful on sharing technique.

Another way is a very tiny amount ( maybe a grain at a time ) of iridescent powders layed over a clear finish:

http://www.dickblick.com/itemgroups-m/metallicpowders/

John Bowery · Dec 6, 2010

Carl, Ron and Richard, thanks for replying.

Carl: The links were very helpful. The eyes were a take from the fantasy dragon creatures.

Ron, Thanks for the very kind offer to mail the paints, but it looks like the way I will go is with the powders. I think they will fit the bill.

Richard: Thanks for the links they were very helpful and I think that I will try the powders.

Cheers
John

Wendy · Dec 6, 2010

Vallejo makes a metallic medium that might work (it's also good for highlights on metallics - the metal flakes are reeeaaaaaalllllly fine). It gives a really subtle effect when added to non metallic paints.

Hehe, I love what you've done with this figure so far. Are you going to make a slime trail on the basework too?

John Bowery · Dec 6, 2010

Wendy,
Thanks for the info. Yes I plan on a trail

Cheers
John

fanai · Dec 6, 2010

I loved this when Marcus sculpted it but your colour are fantastic - love the eyes willbe watching this closely
Ian

PhilinYuma · Dec 6, 2010

If you are looking for something different in powder pigments, check out Cres-Lite powders in 10G jars. They come in a full range of metallics and metallic colours, and you use them so sparingly that I still have jars that are over two decades old. I have also gotten interesting effects by mixing small amounts of these with the Liquitex iridescents, now back in production again.

Markus · Dec 7, 2010

Hi John,

wow, the colours you have choosen are so pretty !!!

I´m really looking forward to your version of this little fellow.

chippy · Dec 7, 2010

Have you thought of using a water based varnish , something like a satin gloss which could be thinned down for the main coat then full strength spots or highlights .
chippy

John Bowery · Dec 7, 2010

Ian, Thanks for looking and your comments.

Phillip, I have located some powders and will give them a try. Thanks for the info.
Markus, Thanks for you comment. I have done the shell in blue/purple with yellow/orange flames.

What fun.

Chippy, Thanks for the info. I think I will try the powders I have with some satin acrylic or future.

Cheers
John

Disco58 · Feb 15, 2011

John -- Don't know if you've gotten your project finished yet or not, but I thought I'd throw in my pair of pennies... I'm pretty sure you guys have a Hobby Lobby or Ben Franklin Crafts there in Indianapolis. In the craft paint section look for Americana brand pearlizing medium -- $2 for a 2oz bottle is a pretty good deal I think. You can use it alone, or mix it with colors or a clear. For your project a quick drybrush or a sludge wash should do the trick.

John Bowery · Feb 16, 2011

Michael,
Thanks for the info. I did buy on sale some coloured powders by Pearlex. I applied these with future floor finish and it seemed to work fine.
Thanks
John

Help with fantasy colours.

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