I’m a fan of trying different, less mainstream techniques for a particular product and in today’s video you’ll see an example as I work with Ken Oliver’s Color Bursts Powders and Liquid Metals.

The norm is to apply the powers to watercolor paper and add water, or to apply water first, then sprinkle the powders on top.  Either option causes the powders to bloom in burst patterns.  The same techniques work with the Liquid Metals and they add a wonderful metallic sheen and luster as they blend with the bloomed powders.

And while all of that is fantastic, what if I told you there are other options for using the Liquid Metals?  My “what if” moment came when I wondered what would happen if I applied Liquid Metals to a Gel Press Plate.  It was a fun “ah-ha” moment and as you’ll see in the video, the metallic luster translates well to the monoprint process, though you’re best served to use dark or black paper to really see the effect.

I’ll also demo the basics of using the Powders and Liquid Metals and show you an alternate technique to create patterns using the non-bristle end of a paint brush.  Since I’m such a fan of Tim Holtz’s Distress Wrinkle Free technique, you’ll see me add layers of Color Bursts and Liquid Metals using it.

The final technique is to just use the Liquid Metals alone, to add a layer of shimmer to… well, to nearly anything.

If you keep an open mind you’ll see that there are many ways to use these products, so don’t get stuck on the idea that you can only drizzle them on watercolor paper and see the bursts bloom.  Experiment!  You never know what may happen.

Supplies For This Video:

Ken Oliver’s Color Burst Powders & Liquid Metals

Gel Press Plates

Brayers

Liquitex Basics Paint

Deli Paper

Joggles Stencils

Strathmore Artist Tiles – the Black version best shows the Liquid Metals.  I also used the 6″ x 6″ Watercolor style