Creating Metallic Resin

One of our regular blog readers; Diana Brandt asked me about metallic paint colours with resin.  
There are several ways I get metallics on or in my resin.  
If my piece is already cured I use Gilders Paste to add metallic highlights.  
If I want my peices to cure a metallic colour I add colour to the resin in the mixing stage.
The sample above on the left is Envirotex Lite and silver powder and on the right Envirotex Lite and silver acrylic paint.
 When I have a batch of resin mixed I add in my paint.  Just a small dollop.  The acrylic paint I am showing here is very thick.
 The acrylic paint can "break up a little."  See how my cured piece has speckles?  You only see this up close and quite frankly, I like this effect.  Different acrylic paints and different add-in techniques can create different results.
 I prefer to add powdered metallic colours to resin.  These powders are sold by various companies; Pearl Ex and Polished Pigments are my own favorites.
A few reminders.  When you add extra colorant to resin you also add air and and you can effect the cure process.  Be sure to experiment.  I once added way too much powder and my resin cured very soft.

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