Iridescent Medium by Liquitex -- also called -- Iridescent Tinting Medium by Windsor-Newton

Iridescent medium is an "add ins" and does not come in multiple colors. Think of it as a "neutral" or no color item. You add it to your existing paints to change the way they look. Iridescent medium creates a shimmering effect when mixed into watercolors. For example: put some red watercolor in a palette, mix in a drop of the iridescent tinting medium....you get red shimmery paint. Want it darker red? Add more red watercolor. Want it thin for a wash? Add water and thin it down. You can paint, sponge, stipple, Direct to Paper with the ColorBox stylus, finger paint...ect etc etc Don't have any watercolors? Then use your dye based reinkers to tint the iridescent medium.

You can use a waterbrush, dip it into the iridescent medium and then brush over your finished stamped art to add a touch of shimmery glimmer. You could also use a blender pen to apply a thin layer of iridescent medium to your stamped art.

Stipple or sponge iridescent medium over a waterfall area, and you have a beautifully dimensional "spray" from the water. It also works well for fog or mist.

As stampers we are always trying to get the most for our money. I think of it this way...if you have a set of watercolors or various colors of dye reinkers, you can spend about $5 (or less) for the iridescent medium and effectively double your paint collection. You would have your straight watercolors (matte in appearance), mix in iridescent tinting medium and you now have a quick drying paint that is sparkly in appearance. If you add in the pearlescent medium (see the product review on it) for about $4, you now TRIPLE your paint collection for less than the cost of a low priced watercolor set.

Iridescent medium doesn't work very well when mixed into an acrylic paint because acrylic paints are very opaque by nature and tend to "cover up" the sparkle from the iridescent medium.

Why would you want to use the iridescent medium? Well, here's why I like to use it. I've found that by using multiple color mediums and/or products in my art, I can achieve depth and dimension very easily. For example: if I'm using my watercolors. Normally watercolors dry to a matte finish. So, if I use the iridescent medium mixed with the watercolors in some areas of the scene, it will give me a feeling of depth. That's because you have a contrast between a matte area, and an area that is more shimmery (i.e. NOT matte). Also I've found that the "shimmer" quality of the iridescent medium can give your artwork a sense of "movement". By adding a swish of iridescent color to a sunset (like a little peach color in the cloud area) you will have the feeling that the clouds are moving a bit. Or, by adding a splash of iridescent blue to water...you add movement to the surface of the water..or if it's a night scene...you add "moonlight shimmer" to the surface of the water in some areas. This is only a few ways ofusing this medium. Just remember, the iridescent medium is a product which allows you to add shimmer and/or contrast to some areas of your artwork which will in turn, help to create depth and dimension within your piece. I LOVE the use of contrast within my artwork, both in products, looks, and image sizes.