"What do I use Mica Powder for....?" by Melissa Struhs

I hope everyone's weekend has been a relaxing and crafty one! Have you had a chance to play along with the challenge this month? There are still a few days left to enter and be in the chance to win $30 to spend on Colour Blast products...

Most of all, some of the Design Team have been playing along and it has been great to revisit the range of Colour Mica colours. The most common question I get asked is what do you use them for when I am teaching...so instead of a layout today, I thought it would be interesting to take a closer look at how the Mica's look in a mixed in with other mediums.

There are 8 stunning colours in the range and you can create some gorgeous tints of colours depending on how much you use as well as what you mix it into.... let's start with Gesso and a Clear Cackle Medium. This is what I have used in my samples below. 

The top row of my samples are using a Clear Crackle Medium and you can so how bold the colour is and will retain the metallic and shimmery effect...

and the bottom row utilises a White Heavy Gesso and creates a soft pastel with a matte finish.

The Colour Mica Powder can be added a little at a time until you get the intensity that you are after. A couple of hints...

1. You really need to mash the Mica through the medium for far longer than you think. Keep folding it through as you add more.

2. I let the medium intensify on my non stick mat for 5 minutes before I apply to my projects. This allows me to see if the colour is the right shade or not. You will be glad you give yourself time to experiment when you see how much it changes in a handful moments.

Colours from Left to Right are: Lemon Zing, Peach Nectar, Watermelon and Polar

and

 and Olive Grove, Cool Mint, Wisteria and Espresso

Why not make the time to experiment with the mediums you have in your stash...try impasto, modelling paste or a gel based medium and see what works best. You could make yourself a sample swatch like I have and pop them on a ring for quick reference when searching for the perfect colour for your designs.

Till next time,

Mel.