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I realise Pearl-ex doesn't have a binder (I do have gum arabic), and perhaps the watercolour powders do, but I cannot find a single review of a comparison between these two products, and not a lot of tech info. I've read some reviews from 2015 (by dini!) on watercolour powders, and looked at the Pearl-ex docco (as well as mica powders) but there's nothing head-to-head. Before I waste a bunch of Pearl-ex trying to emulate sprinkly watercolour powder explosions, I thought I'd ask here first! Can you use Pearl-ex that way?
I haven't tried it, as I usually mix Pearl Ex with matte medium, but my guess is the watercolor powders are water reactive and the Pearl Ex probably is not, and may not react the same way in water.
I only have Perfect Pearls, and I know they are not quite the same, but based on my experience with them, even if you don't get the sort of colour burst it sounds as if you are hoping for, you can certainly get a lovely shimmery spray. I used to, and have again recently, made my own shimmer sprays with water, Perfect Pearls and a little re-inker.
Thanks, cook22!! You always come up with interesting ideas. I have a few Perfect Pearls, too, and they just sit there—for years and years, lol. I think Pearl-ex will add shimmer, too, but not react to water, as KathyCich pointed out. I'm def going to fiddle about with all those shimmery goodnesses this afternoon!
I don't know if they're still available, but I think you may get the look you want from
Twinkling H20's. They're water based and similar to water colors, but have more pigment and more shine, It's been many years since I've used Pearl Ex, but as I recall, it didn't work as well with water. Even the Perfect Pearls work better with water than they do. I also mixed some white Perfect Pearls with water in a spray bottle and use it to add shine to water colored backgrounds,
Thanks! The Twinkling H2O isn't around anymore. I tried sprinkling the Pearl-ex just now and it just sits there on the paper like a blob, and disappeared when I added coloured sprays and water. Same with Perfect Pearls—blob city! I think those two products are purely for mixing in with other mediums to add shimmer. That's what I'll try next—making inks, pastes, and watercolours. I might need to give in and get a few actual watercolour powders. They intrigue me and I love the organic serendipity in the results. Now to find somewhere that doesn't charge like a wounded bull to ship it to me lol.
Of course! The Tutorials section! 🤪 Well, there were about 20 of them, and I've looked at them all now. I have a much better understanding of the properties of these products now, and will continue to experiment. Thanks, ladies!
The company that makes Pearl=Ex has a blog that has ideas, too. I don't know the web address off hand, but I know the name of the blog is Lindy's Gang. That might be able to help, too.
Tracy
Thanks! I had looked at the Jacquard site blog earlier, and yes, they had several Pearl-ex projects, which were quite interesting. Didn't find anything at Lindy's Gang at all, but I've got enough to go on now, I think. Tks for the info.
Mica powders and watercolor powders are very different products. The mica powders are designed to add a shimmer of nearly iridescent color to something. Watercolor powders are actually concentrated pigment and very vibrant. You can add water to both to apply them with a spray, but I doubt you will get the same result---it's all about what look you are trying to achieve. Remember too, that some mica powders (Pearl ex) do not have a binder and will brush off if one is not used with it. The watercolor powders are just like any other watercolors and will stay put when they dry.. Not the total story, but HTH!
Just throwing my 2 cents worth in- if you're going to try watercolor powders, try Pixie Powders. I got the full range of colors shipped from England pretty reasonably.
Pixie Powders are metallic, where the Colorbursts (and I think Brushos) are not.
I think, from my reading and (limited experiments), I'd be after actual flat watercolour powders. I can always add shimmer with Pearl-ex, mica, and Perfect Pearls, all of which I have. What also occurred to me yesterday was that I have watercolour crayons that I never use as crayons, so I might grate off some of that and see how it reacts to water. But I couldn't have gotten to that thought without you creative thinkers, lol. Thank you again!
I think, from my reading and (limited experiments), I'd be after actual flat watercolour powders. I can always add shimmer with Pearl-ex, mica, and Perfect Pearls, all of which I have. What also occurred to me yesterday was that I have watercolour crayons that I never use as crayons, so I might grate off some of that and see how it reacts to water. But I couldn't have gotten to that thought without you creative thinkers, lol. Thank you again!
You can do this with pencils so I am sure crayons will work as well. I have done this with a class of children and they had a ball. Give it a try and see the results, then let us know.
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I think, from my reading and (limited experiments), I'd be after actual flat watercolour powders. I can always add shimmer with Pearl-ex, mica, and Perfect Pearls, all of which I have. What also occurred to me yesterday was that I have watercolour crayons that I never use as crayons, so I might grate off some of that and see how it reacts to water. But I couldn't have gotten to that thought without you creative thinkers, lol. Thank you again!
Just remember the watercolor powders are highly pigmented. Avery little goes a really long way. Probably more so than grated watercolor crayons, but it will be fun experimenting.
Last edited by jeanne3579; 03-17-2024 at 03:52 PM..
Reason: mistake
No, the crayons haven't seen the light of day all that time, and I can now report that the testing was a bust 😕 The scrapings didn't really react enough to the water. I put it down to too much binder and not enough pigment, as they were not high quality to begin with, on top of being ancient, lol. (It didn't help that I actually experimented with a non-soluble crayon to begin with and feeling like throwing it all in the bin. LOL!) [headslap]
My bad. You are correct about Ken Oliver's Color Burst. My brain was off. I do like his line and I can use the Bursts on stencils. I place the stencil on watercolor paper. I will sprinkle a light amount of water before placing the stencil on it. I sprinkle a small amount of the powder in the open areas. I will dabble with a small brush. Great effects.
Thanks! The Twinkling H2O isn't around anymore. I tried sprinkling the Pearl-ex just now and it just sits there on the paper like a blob, and disappeared when I added coloured sprays and water. Same with Perfect Pearls—blob city! I think those two products are purely for mixing in with other mediums to add shimmer. That's what I'll try next—making inks, pastes, and watercolours. I might need to give in and get a few actual watercolour powders. They intrigue me and I love the organic serendipity in the results. Now to find somewhere that doesn't charge like a wounded bull to ship it to me lol.
I just watched TODAY a video live from Leslie Ohnstad-ColourArte Creations on Youtube where she said that they are going to bring back the Twinkling H2O's. I am hoping that this will be a reality soon and they might get into the main market since I have lots of them and loved them dearly. You can see her Youtube Channel here: youtube.com/@Leslieohnstad_colourarte_mama I was recommended on the live a Dutch shop for getting them in the future since I live in Europe: saskiasmitacrylicart.com
That's good news then! They had Twinkling H2Os in New Zealand in the past, so if they bring them back, I might even be able to get some. Thanks for the tip!
Watercolour powders vs Jacquard Pearl-ex?
