Glitters and so on

[AtticaFish]

Recently cured a bunch of heads that had been sitting around for awhile and took some pics. Been trying to come up with some really glitzy looks.

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These were all done with a healthy base coat of mica powder.
Left to right: First one is just the mica then tapped on gold holo and chartruese glitter. Next is the mica base, gold holo glitter then gold transparent powder. Middle one is the same but with bronze transparent powder on top. Last two are just Pro-Tec copperhead and rootbeer that have a mica base. That picture was taken with in-direct lighting and was trying to get the colors. Picture below was done with direct light from a desk lamp and really lets the glitter show! All the tiny little flecks of reflected light are the mica.

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Last are a couple larger (3/8oz) heads i painted and want to get tied with bucktail or craftfur over the winter - will give them away to a few friends for walleye jigging next spring.

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[Fatman]

Man those are sweet - where do you get this mica powder?? and some how to on it. Just tell me it's not expensive!!!!!!!!! I know you probably listed it and I missed it. I have the Pro-Tec Copperhead and mine comes out darker but is a really nice color but the one you show is sweet. I can see some grizzly and buffalo hair tied on those and it would be a really nice tie.

The other is how the rootbeer looks under direct lighting seems almost purple. Time for some of those video lessons!!!!!LOL

Great post!!!! Guess it's time to play with the powder some more!!

 

[AtticaFish]

The mica powder was purchased on Ebay. I did not purchase it myself, was given to me and think i do have the supplier name at home.... can check it later. I think there are different grades of it and maybe differences on how fine it is ground up. Mine is very finely ground powder/dust. It is sold for decorating blown glass since it can tolerate very high temps - if i am thinking right. For the amount you get, it does seem expensive. BUT - it only takes a tiny little bit in a mix to show up so, a little goes a long way. I use a 10:1 mix (clear to mica) and it comes out a better Pearl color than the Pro-Tec IMO. You can add it to any color and it keeps the general color but gives it a metallic look. It does also lighten up the color the more you add though.

The copperhead and rootbeer look a totally different color when you use a white or pearl base color - they are transparent colors with the glitter and flake added in. Just do a very light tap coat of them over the white/pearl base color or it will darken up quickly. The rootbeer is a purple transparent and you can really tell over the base color.

 

[Radtexan]

Awesome work Russ....Ive got to get some of the mica....Great pics too !

 

[ragged edge]

You people and your skills are taking me to the poor house......lol

 

[AtticaFish]

Here is one more of just the mica powder with black flake tapped on top some little ice jigs. The mica/clear mix makes a color somewhere between the Pearl and Silver Pro-Tec colors. Metallic white-ish. Hard to explain - or capture in a photo.

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Forgot to show of my SUPER FANCY light box!

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Items needed:
- Card board
- Tape
- Printer paper
- Light

Pictures turn out really good with it, as if they are taken with in-direct or diffused lighting. The other pics i just put on top of black lined paper, pulled the light over top, and took the picture.

 

[Fatman]

Can't wait for the info!!! and then I'll be bugging you to make sure I'm doing it right LOL. Could you get the same effect by mixing clear in with white pearl then tap the other colors over it???

 

[AtticaFish]

Using either pearl or white as a base color (no clear needed) will make any of the transparent colors (watermelon flake, rootbeer, junebug, copperhead, etc.) show up different than just tapping it straight on a raw head. Big difference with the mica powder as a base color is that it takes on a bright metallic color under the transparent color.

 

[Ron Don]

Great work Russ. I really like your copper looking one, the middle one! Also love your eye work!

There are different grades of mica. Basically the more you pay the finer and more brilliant it is. Mica is used in many things from mud lubricants to auto paint! A little of it does go a long way. It took me a while to go through a 2 oz jar and that was using it in plastics. I just got a 4 oz jar of super sparkle and it will probably last me atleast a year.

 

[Fatman]

Just more info to add to the book!!LOL Once you find the type of it please let us know. Thanks!!

 

[CrappieHappy]

Nice work Russ!

 

[toadfrog]

Did you have to clear coat the crap out of them to keep the glitter from making the heads rough .

 

[Fatman]

Again!! It's time for some step by step instructions!!!LOL Please???

 

[AtticaFish]

No clear top coat on them, other than the clear that was mixed with the glitter on some. One thing that helps keep it smooth is if you keep the heat low enough that when you add the first layer of paint, it DOES NOT glaze over, just sticks. Barely reheat it to add the glitter and then back over the heat. It seems like it lets the glitter 'settle' into the paint some. I have found that if i try to add the mica/clear mix on as a last step, it will stay a matte finish instead of a gloss finish.

 

[JUNGLEJIM1]

For someone who used only nail polish for a long time you certainly have the powder paint down. Really nice work,probably have to look into the mica powder myself.

 

[Fatman]

Did you find the brand name or seller name on ebay??

 

[redear]

that light box for pics is a killer idea, thanks!!! and your paint jobs with the mica, I like those heads, they really pop!!!

 

[crappiecripplerjigs]

Super impressive Russ! I think you could write a book with all the genius ideas flowing out of your head. Mica powder... never would have thought of that one. The light box is awesome. Plain and simple design to produce professional looking pictures. Where's the cardboard used? Fantastic stuff!!

 

[AtticaFish]

The powder is fun to work with, i have lots of mess-ups but keep adjusting till it comes out right. Brought home an 8"x10" piece of bright silver .030 alum. sheet stock from work..... at some point i want to try to paint a picture using only powder. Could be interesting.

I did not find the seller name last night, but know i have a business card somewhere for who it was. Will look tonight if i remember.

The cardboard i used on the light box is thin, it came out of a package of inkjet photo paper and think they use it to keep the corners from getting bent up. I taped a piece of it into a roll shape, then taped the white paper to that. The cardboard roll is just to keep the shape so i could easily stick the camera in the end.

 

[crappiecripplerjigs]

Thanks Russ. Curious if the light would shine through a styrofoam cup. I will attempt this trick this evening.