Bring on the Shine!
When it comes to mixed media, Sandra Duran Wilson (Ep.20) says you’ve got a lot of visual characteristics to choose from.
One characteristic is the level of shine.
You’ve options for your work to be gloss, semi-gloss, matte or a combination.
Gels, mediums and yes, even pigments come in different levels of shininess.
And in some cases, your choice affects more than the final sheen on your painting’s surface.
For example, if you are working with layers and using gels, some gels like gloss will be more transparent than when you build up layers with matte gel.
This is because manufacturers have added small particles to the gel so that it has that matte look and that also makes it a bit less transparent than gloss or semi gloss.
You’ll also notice that some acrylic paints are glossier than others including brands coming out with paints that have a matte finish.
Put it to Practice:
If you don’t have a sense of your preference for shiny or matte, it’s time to take a fieldtrip. It’s hard to get a sense of how glossy or matte a finished painting is when looking at it online. Head to your local galleries and take particular note of the paintings’ surfaces.
Are you drawn to one characteristic (shiny vs matte) than another?
Back in your studio, pull out past work and see if you lean towards one level of shine over another.
And remember, you can always change the level of shine after everything dries by adding a final varnish to the whole piece.
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