Shiny Pretty Things!

Posted on 29 November 2024
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Shiny Pretty Things: with Jacquard’s Pearl-Ex This Holiday Season!

The holidays are here, and whether you’re decking the halls or creating one-of-a-kind gifts, there’s one art supply that’s making waves this season: Jacquard’s Pearl-Ex Powdered Pigments.

What Is Pearl-Ex?

Pearl-Ex is a versatile powdered mica pigment that creates stunning, pearlescent effects. It’s a non-toxic, finely ground powder that’s available in a wide range of vibrant colors, from deep jewel tones to soft pastel hues. Unlike traditional paint, Pearl-Ex doesn’t contain pigment-based colorants. Instead, it’s made from mica particles, which reflect and refract light, giving your projects a brilliant, metallic-like shine with a subtle, almost magical glow.

Pearl-Ex is ideal for a variety of applications, and it works seamlessly with different mediums, including watercolors, acrylics, inks, and resins. Whether you’re blending it with acrylic gel mediums to create texture and depth or using it to add shimmering highlights to watercolor washes, Pearl-Ex has endless possibilities for creative expression.

Trending on Social Media: Why Artists Are Obsessed

If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Instagram recently, you’ve likely seen Pearl-Ex in action. Artists are loving how easy it is to add depth and iridescence to their work. Whether used in abstract pieces, fluid art, or mixed-media designs, Pearl-Ex allows for a high-impact finish with minimal effort. It’s especially popular for use with watercolors and acrylic gel mediums, two mediums that allow the shimmer to really shine through.

For example, many artists on social media are experimenting with watercolor and Pearl-Ex by dusting the powder directly onto their wet watercolor paintings. The result? A beautiful, pearlescent sheen that catches the light at every angle. Others are mixing Pearl-Ex into acrylic mediums, creating textures and depth that range from smooth glazes to thick, raised surfaces.

The best part? Pearl-Ex’s versatility means you can play with different effects. Want a subtle glow? Use it lightly on your painting surface. Going for a bold metallic look? Apply it more heavily or mix it into a gel medium for texture and dimension.

Pearl-Ex: Perfect for Holiday Crafts

The holiday season is the perfect time to experiment with Pearl-Ex, especially if you’re into holiday crafting or creating personalized gifts. Whether you’re making custom greeting cards, unique ornaments, or shimmering gift tags, Pearl-Ex adds a level of sophistication and sparkle that’s hard to beat.

Here are some ideas for using Pearl-Ex in your holiday projects:

Hand-Painted Ornaments
Create beautiful, one-of-a-kind ornaments by mixing Pearl-Ex with acrylic paints or clear resin. The shimmering pigments will bring your designs to life with a festive glow that’s perfect for holiday decor.
Custom Holiday Cards
If you love making handmade cards, Pearl-Ex can elevate your designs. Mix the pigments with watercolors or inks to create glowing, metallic backgrounds. You can also dust Pearl-Ex on top of stamped images to add a soft shimmer to your lettering or motifs.
Gift Tags and Wrapping Paper
Give your gift packaging an extra touch of elegance by adding Pearl-Ex to your wrapping paper or gift tags. Whether you’re creating custom designs with stencils or sprinkling the pigment for a unique look, the result will be truly standout. Bonus points for pairing this shimmering effect with a handmade card.
Mixed Media Wall Art
Add some extra sparkle to your holiday-themed artwork. Whether you're painting winter landscapes, abstract designs, or portraiture, Pearl-Ex can help add dimension and light-reflecting quality to your canvas. Mix it into acrylic gel mediums for textured effects or use it to highlight areas of your painting.

How to Use Pearl-Ex in Your Art

Getting started with Pearl-Ex is simple! Here are some tips to incorporate it into your creative process:

Mix with Acrylic Gel Mediums: For textured art, mix Pearl-Ex powder with a gel medium (such as heavy gel or modeling paste) to create rich, three-dimensional effects that sparkle. This technique works great for abstract or mixed-media art.
Blend with Watercolor: Add a touch of shimmer to your watercolor painting by brushing on Pearl-Ex powder after the paint has dried. You can also mix it with a small amount of water to make a liquid shimmer wash.
Apply Dry for a Subtle Effect: If you want a light shimmer without altering the color of your project, apply Pearl-Ex directly to your dry artwork. A soft dusting with a soft brush will give you a delicate, iridescent finish.
Use with Resin: Create dazzling resin art by mixing Pearl-Ex powder directly into your resin mixture before pouring it into molds or over a collage. The mica pigments give your pieces a smooth, glossy, and iridescent quality that catches the light beautifully.
You can also MAKE YOUR OWN WATERCOLOR using Pearl-Ex and Gum Arabic!

Why Pearl-Ex is a Must-Have This Holiday Season

With its ability to bring light, texture, and vibrant color to any project, Pearl-Ex is the perfect art supply to use this holiday season. Whether you’re working on fine art pieces or holiday crafts, this shimmering pigment will add an extra touch of magic to your creations. And with the rise of social media and the creativity sparked by artists online, it’s clear that Pearl-Ex is becoming the trendiest tool of the season.

So this holiday season, why not treat yourself (or your fellow artists) to a jar of Jacquard’s Pearl-Ex? Whether you’re creating stunning fine art or dazzling homemade gifts, this versatile pigment is sure to add that special touch of sparkle and shine.

Stay tuned to The Studio Society Pages for more trendy art supply insights, and let us know how you're using Pearl-Ex in your holiday creations!

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