Supplies Best metallic paints for faceups?

I will have to see what others say as I am always up for hearing paint recommendations, but here are my preferences. I use the metallics of both Golden High Flow Acrylics and a few Vallejo Premium Airbrush Color depending on the application/color preference.

In my experience, I usually have to have a flat base color underneath for added depth. Eg: brown underneath gold and grey under silver. That is just my preference since they are suspended particles in a clear. A similar shade makes it look clean, a darker tone makes it more antique-y. Just my two cents.

 

If you're painting with a brush, check out paints designed for wargaming miniatures (particularly the Citadel line); they have a better flow and smaller mica size than most other metallics, since they're designed to be used on extremely small areas

 

I've just bought them open-stock as I need them, but I also live in an area with a ton of gaming shops (including at least one actual GW storefront), so it's really easy to go pick up what I want

 

Hello! Hoping to bump this thread for a question: Any recommendations for a nice metallic rub-on powder? Like a pastel, but thicker.

Or should I just plan to dry-brush on acrylic paint?

 

You can try the pearl-ex mica powders. I always put a base colour underneath where I’ll be applying them, but with a few layers you could probably achieve metalllic colours.

hinourable mention to Coliro and finetec metallic watercolours. That’s what I use to achieve metallic colours on dolls, and it doesn’t take nearly as much layering.

 

Just jumping into this to say thank you @Chameleon, I’d seen these on Jackson’s website but wasn’t sure how effective they were. I did have some pearlised watercolours years ago and they were ok, always on the lookout for better though.

I saw a video somewhere only once though of someone demonstrating these Aurora watercolours by Kuretake (?) I think and wondered if anyone has experience with them or similar. The Aurora colours were very shimmery, iridescent and when drying they would sort of split (sorry if that’s a poor description) giving an interesting marble effect. Reviews on them seems very varied and I think they may have been limited edition but I’m still interested in the effect they gave if there’s a similar product. Could be good for a rust like appearance.

 

You can try the pearl-ex mica powders. I always put a base colour underneath where I’ll be applying them, but with a few layers you could probably achieve metalllic colours. - I'd agree. Layering it should help achieve the desired look.

Watercolours are very... watery. if you don't seal them they will simply fade or smear when contacted with water. For more flow to the paint, though I'd use acrylic gouache, gouache being an opaque watercolour with acrylic properties - once it's dry it's dry and no water will affect it.