{"id":276651,"date":"2024-01-16T13:00:28","date_gmt":"2024-01-16T13:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.naturestudio.com\/?p=276651"},"modified":"2024-01-16T10:08:07","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T10:08:07","slug":"metallic-watercolor-paint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naturestudio.com\/metallic-watercolor-paint\/","title":{"rendered":"Metallic watercolor painting (without metallic paint)"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row columns_type=”default” section=”” full_screen=”” vertical_centering=”” background=”” bg_color_info=”” img=”” parallax_bg_width=”110″ parallax_reverse=”” video=””][vc_column text_color=”” animate=”” animate_delay=””][vc_column_text]You’d be forgiven for thinking you need to use metallic watercolor paint to achieve iridescent effects in your artwork. <\/span><\/p>\n

But it’s perfectly possible to achieve a metallic look <\/span>without<\/span> using metallic watercolor paint <\/span><\/h2>\n

You can create the illusion of a bright, shimmering metallic appearance using ordinary watercolor paint. <\/span><\/p>\n

The secret? To replicate nature. <\/span><\/p>\n

Often in nature, iridescence and metallic effects are the result of many thin layers of cells that each reflect a different colour from the light spectrum, creating an overall shimmering look. <\/span><\/p>\n

With close observation of the various colour areas on our subject, we can identify what those component colours are. Then with thin layers of paint, we replicate nature, building up the layers until we achieve that elusive iridescent effect: without a spot of metallic watercolor paint in sight! <\/span><\/p>\n

In this mini class, I show you exactly how to do this. The subject is a pretty beetle called Plagiosterna aenea<\/em>. They have a very long hibernation period, from August right the way through until the following April!<\/span><\/p>\n

How to paint an iridescent subject without metallic watercolor paint:<\/span><\/h2>\n

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