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Basics Iridescent Medium

Adds a pearly metallic sheen

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Mix with paint to give it an iridescent finish, or use on its own to add surface highlights.

Sizes
Use with

Acrylic paints & mediums

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Use on

All acrylic-friendly surfaces

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Techniques

Iridescent effects

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Highlights

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Character

Lightfast & archival

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Permanent

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Non-yellowing

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Flexible & non-cracking

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Water-resistant when dry

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Intermixable with all Liquitex materials

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What it does
  • Gives a smooth iridescent appearance
  • Increases paint transparency
  • Extends your color without affecting acrylic stability
  • Slows drying time so you can create more subtle color blends
  • Thins heavier body paints
  • Maintains paint adhesion, durability and archival quality
How to use it
  • Fully intermixable with all Liquitex products - Basics and Professional
  • Can be thinned by diluting with up to 30% water - distilled water will give best results
  • Mix as much as you like into acrylic color to create the iridescence and consistency you want
  • Stir gently to avoid creating foam - if bubbles appear, leave it to sit while the bubble rise and disappear
How not to use
  • Do not shake or vigorously over-brush as this can result in a foggy, hazy look when dry
  • May temporarily lighten colors until dry
  • Do not use with any non-acrylic media

Tips & Techniques

Useful guides for working with mediums

Guide

Surface preparation
Video Guide

How to create special effects
Guide

Varnishing

Iridescent Medium FAQs

Other artists have asked us...

  • How thick is your student-grade Iridescent Medium?
    Our Basics Iridescent Medium is a smooth fluid with a flowing, medium consistency. You can change this by mixing it with other Liquitex mediums to make it thicker or thinner.
  • Does Basics Iridescent Medium have pigment in it?
    Iridescent Medium is made with tiny mica particles coated with reflective materials - so we wouldn't strictly classify them as pigments.
  • Can I use your Basics Iridescent Medium as a paint?
    You can use it neat direct from the tube, but we recommend using it for highlights rather than a big painting - our Basics metallic colors will give you a better result for large areas.