Metallic Silver | Matisse acrylic paint

Metallic Silver | Matisse acrylic paint

Gilding: An Ancient Artistic Legacy

 

The rich tapestry of metallic finishes in art traces its roots to the ancient art of gilding, a technique embraced by both the Egyptians and Greeks. Gilding, a term encompassing various methods of applying gold leaf or metallic powder to surfaces, served to infuse artworks with a captivating metallic lustre, accentuating specific features. Today, contemporary artists continue to harness the allure of metallic finishes for similar expressive purposes.

 

Evolution Beyond Gilding: Matisse's Innovation

 

Despite the effectiveness of gilding, its drawbacks, such as being time-consuming, expensive, and somewhat limited in versatility, spurred innovation. In response to these challenges, Matisse introduced a collection of acrylic metallic paints, offering a modern solution to the age-old artistic desire for metallic brilliance. The palette includes Metallic Bronze, Metallic Copper, Metallic Silver, Metallic Light Gold, and Metallic Gold. Notably, these paints exhibit excellent permanency and boast a BWS rating of 8, ensuring enduring vibrancy.

 

Matisse Metallic Colours: Synthesis of Art and Science

 

The application of Matisse metallic colours mirrors standard acrylic paint, drying into a glossy, metallic finish impervious to oxidation—a departure from the potential effects on gilded metals. Emphasizing safety, these colours adhere to standard acrylic cleaning practices with soap and water. Synthetically derived for economic and health considerations, the metallic pigments consistently yield dazzling finishes.

 

Crafting Gilded Aesthetics: Techniques and Mediums

 

For those desiring a gilded finish, employing a soft synthetic brush minimizes texture marks. Further creative possibilities unfold as Matisse metallic paints blend seamlessly with Matisse mediums, enabling the creation of transparent washes and glazes imbued with a metallic sheen.

 

Versatile Application and Artistic Blending

 

While traditional brush techniques yield striking results, experimenting with metallic acrylics extends to rubbing them into dried textured paint for nuanced highlights. The beauty lies not only in the individuality of each metallic hue but also in their harmonious combinations. Combining Light Gold and Gold, for instance, unveils a finish rich in depth and intrigue.

 

Finishing Flourishes: Semi-Sheen and Varnishes

 

The culmination of the artistic journey with Matisse metallic paints reveals a semi-sheen metallic finish. Artists can further refine their creations by overlaying or accentuating them with water-based gloss or matte varnishes.

 

Caution in Mixing: Harmonizing Metallic and Non-Metallic

 

While the metallic sheen of Matisse paints is potent, caution is advised in mixing them with non-metallic paints to create another metallic colour. For optimal results, the addition of Matisse MM24 Iridescent Medium is recommended, seamlessly infusing metallic sheen when combined with standard acrylic paint.

Safety Data Sheet for Matisse Metallic Silver (SDS)

To view or download a copy of Metallic Silver SDS, please  CLICK HERE * (271kb)  
*The above link will open an external Dropbox window