How to Use Iridescent Medium to Make Your Acrylic Paintings Pop
Have you heard of acrylic medium but aren’t sure what it is or how to use it? In this post, I’ll give you an overview of the different acrylic mediums and will share how to use an iridescent medium to add a hint of shine to your paintings. If you’re already familiar with acrylic mediums, click here to jump right to the section about iridescent medium!
What is an acrylic medium?
An acrylic medium is a material that can be used to change the properties of acrylic paint. It’s made with the same base materials, so it mixes with acrylics without breaking down the paint. Having a compatible medium like this is important because it keeps your acrylic paintings from cracking or degrading over time.
Acrylic mediums are free of pigment (aka they dry transparent) and are intended to change the properties of acrylic paint without altering the color of that paint. Here are a few of the common uses of acrylic mediums.
Extending the life of acrylic paint
One of the best parts of acrylic paint is that it dries quickly. I love acrylics because they dry at the speed that my brain works! But sometimes the quick-drying nature of acrylics can work against you if you’re working on a piece that requires a lot of blending. That’s where acrylic mediums come in! You can mix acrylic medium into your paint to make it dry more slowly.
Varnishing acrylic paintings
Acrylic mediums can be used to varnish a painting when you’re finished with it. This “seals” the painting and gives it an archival quality. I love to use a gloss medium for varnishing because it helps the colors of your painting pop! Learn more about how I varnish acrylic paintings with gloss medium here.
Acrylic pouring
An acrylic technique that has been rising in popularity is acrylic pouring. I don’t do a lot of this myself, but it’s a fun and relaxing way to play with acrylic paint! A flow medium will help you get more movement in your acrylics as you’re pouring them.
How to use iridescent medium
One of my favorite ways to add hits of pearly shine to my paintings is to use an iridescent medium. I use it to add visual layers of depth to my paintings without adding too much paint. It’s really easy to use and you don't even have to use much to get a stunning effect.
This particular medium is transparent aside from its reflective material. There are two ways you can use it – one is to mix it directly into your paint to give the paint a metallic sheen, and the other is to use the iridescent medium on its own on top of an already dry painting.
I find that the results of mixing the iridescent medium with your paint are too subtle. My preferred method is to apply the iridescent medium directly on top of dry acrylic paint. It adds a better pop of shimmer to the piece!
Here’s my process for adding iridescent medium to my paintings!
Step 1:
Start by pouring a small amount onto your palette. Try not to shake or overwork the medium. This could result in it looking cloudy when dry instead of transparent and shiny.
Step 2:
Load your brush with the medium. It will look white, but don’t worry – if you use it gently it will dry transparent!
Step 3:
Add hits of the medium in select spots of your painting in thin, smooth brushstrokes. I like to add it in the same direction as my brushstrokes so that it looks organic and flows with the painting. Make sure not to overbrush it so that you keep the transparent shine!
Step 4:
Continue adding iridescent brushstrokes throughout your painting. The most effective way to use an iridescent medium is to add it to key pieces of your painting that you want to highlight. When these spots catch the light they will shimmer and shine giving your piece that extra pop of vibrancy!
Step 5:
Let the iridescent medium dry and enjoy your painting!
I hope this tutorial inspired you to try something new with your acrylic painting! If you want to learn how to create a brushstroke piece like the one I shared in this tutorial, join me for my Spring Sky acrylic painting class where I share this exact brushstroke technique!
xo, Jessi
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