Daniel Smith Watercolours 15 ml – Luminescent (Shimmering)

Nature has optical surprises in the colors that you see in birds’ feathers, insects, fish, and seashells. Many flowers also have a pearly, dewy sheen to them. Consider the iridescence of a snail’s trail or a silvery spider’s web. Other things that have a sparkle or glow depending on the light, a silvery moon, clouds at sunset, rainbows, the sparkle of snow and ice, and the glint of water. Don’t forget the sheen of metals such as pewter, copper, silver, as well as gold. There are also mythic subjects that are often thought of as having a special iridescence to them such as fairies, dragons, mermaids and other fantasy figures.

When painting these subjects, having the right paint gives you the special effects that make your paintings come alive. This is why DANIEL SMITH makes Luminescent watercolor paints! The pigment includes mica, which are thin transparent particles coated with highly reflective metal oxides. When you paint with these watercolors, they’ll create a sense of depth and a sheen that changes with the angle of reflection and observation.

Luminescent (Shimmering) Watercolors show beautifully as glazes over darker colors. When mixed with similar colors, they add a hint of their luminous glow. You can mix Luminescent watercolors with your other watercolors to add some special effects to the mix.

What are the differences between the 4 types of Luminescent (Shimmering) Watercolours

• Iridescent: Reflection – particle of light hits paint/pigment matrix and bounces back. Much like a mirror.
• Interference: Refraction– particle of light enters the paint/pigment matrix and scatters light.
• Duochrome: is one pigment that bounces between two colors.
• Pearlescent: adds opalescence – like an opal or pearl – to the color it’s mixed or glazed with.

Visit these links to see how watercolourists use these to great effect.

• Three-Dimensional Color and Interference Pigments
• Luminescent Fish on Black Watercolor Ground
• Hilary Page: Create Shimmering Shells Using Daniel Smith Luminescent Watercolors

Daniel Smith Watercolour – Luminous, Interference, Duochrome and Pearlescent