Pearlizing question....

[Comicboy]

Is it possible to pearlize flat black? I just finished putting together Laz's Skeksis castle. When I saw Ricks paint-up I knew thats the direction I wanted to go. He has the advantage of an air brush, I do not. So at Michaels yesterday I spot Krylon Make it Pearl Pearlescent spray paint and a Deco Art Pearlizing medium in the little container for brushing on. But it looks to be white not clear, so I'm thinking of going with the Krylon. Anyway, will this give me the effect I'm looking for ? And does anyone have a cap shot or something of the actual castle? I'm looking for a ground shot immediately around the castle. I seem to recall a moat-like crevasse surrounding it, am I wrong? Thanks folks!

[RickDTM]

Hey CB - You can use the Krylon spray, but I would recommend using what I did on the Castle. I used the poster art for the base colors, but the pearl effect was done using Liquitex and Golden "interference" colors, namely Blue and Violet. Best part is you don't really need an airbrush to use them. Since the castle fit together so well, I did Laszlo's in sub-assemblies for the most part. Here's the tech:

Base coat all pieces using Krylon Ultra Flat Black. Start out w/ the Liquitex or Golden Interference Blue in a small cap or on a palette. Dampen your brush (don't get it too wet) and dip the tip into the paint. Then, wisk it back and forth onto a paper towel to remove most of the paint (sounds weird I know, but trust me on this...) Using the same wisking motion, move the brush over the detail on the piece and you will start to see the color being added where the brush is. What you should see is an iridescent color that will "flash" when you turn it into the light. You can then add the purple over the top or do a blend w/ them from purple to blue. When you're done, seal the piece using a gloss. Using a flat (like Dullcoat or Krylon Matte) will kill the effect.

Hope that made sense!

[Comicboy]

Sweet! Thanks Rick, I'll have to pick up some interference colors. I actually had thought of that and wondered if that was what you used. Now I'll have to see if there are any around this town, if not Dixie here I come. Won't the gloss sealer kinda screw-up the flat black?

[RickDTM]

You won't apply the gloss sealer until the very end, and by that time you'll have the entire piece covered in interference colors. The type of black is not that important really. You could use a gloss black if you like, but the intf. colors seem to stick better to the flat black.

You can find these colors at Michaels for sure, or any Hobby Lobby.

[Comicboy]

I'm pretty psyched, this little burg is finally getting a Hobby Lobby! Now my geekness can truely flourish.

[RickDTM]

Lock up the women and children!! He's on the loose!!