As I mentioned in the previous article "Light x Color - CHROMASHINE", effect pigments are also known as “sparkle pigments” because they produce a variety of expressions under the effect of light, but do you know that there are numerous kinds of effect pigments other than Chromashine?

While there are pigments like Chromashine that are not strongly affected by the color of the base material, there are others that can be "easily affected".

Among the many effect pigments that we have in PIGMENT TOKYO, we would like to introduce you to some pigments that look different depending on the way you apply or paint them.

Effect pigment causes different color changes due to the reflection of light. For example, even by applying the same pigment, the pigment will appear in white with a white base material; but the pigment itself will appear colored when applied to a black base material.

Before I start comparing, let me introduce this pigment first.

This is the only effect pigment that I’ve introduced, that is not strongly affected by the substrate, therefore, the visual effect of this pigment remains almost the same after applying.

Mica has been used in art since ancient times in Japan. However, even nowadays, it is also commonly used in cosmetics. Mica is known as "Kira" or "Kirara" in Japanese, although the English name "Mica" sure is more familiar to most of you.

PIGMENT TOKYO provides three types of Mica: coarse, medium, and fine. The difference in particle size creates a different visual effect. Since the particles are more like thin flakes rather than sandy-like pigments, the rough particles are particularly hard to apply on the painting surface.

If you are concerned about the adhesive strength or the color of the medium that might affect the pigments, I recommend you this certain type of animal glue. It’s called Clear (Fish) Glue. Because of its low jelly strength, it can be used not only for pearl pigments but also for Iwa-enogu (mineral pigments) and metal leaf.

※The physical properties of animal glue vary depending on the lot amount of the product. Please refer to the product description when purchasing.

The examples shown below are effect pigments, which change their appearance depending on the color layers and the reflection of light.

The following image is the product page of Miraval Pacific Twinkle 5402.

I’m using it as an example to show you how to use and check the information for each effect pigment.

Please keep in mind that even the same type of effect pigment will look different in different base materials.

The unit "µm (micrometer)" described for the particle size of effect pigments is smaller than a millimeter and larger than a nanometer.

・Nanometer ＜ Micrometer ＜ Millimeter

Next, these following three colors may look similar to white pearlescent colors when applied on a white background, but on a black background, the original gold color of the pigment is more visible.

■Miraval

Miraval is made of borosilicate glass.

It is highly brilliant, transparent, and produces bright, clear colors.

The particle size varies from 10-100µm or 20-200µm depending on the color.

■Xirallic

A new high-luminance pigment made of artificially synthesized aluminum oxide flakes coated with metal oxides.

It has higher brilliance than the pearl pigment Iriodin and does not have the yellowish tint as the mica pigments.

Xirallic’s particles are finer than 30µm and are available in a well-balanced range of colors.

■Iriodin

Iriodin is composed of thin flakes of natural mica, covered with a layer of metal oxide.

It has a huge range of different appearances and colors, from smooth shades to those with high brilliance and polarized light.

There are more than 30 colors to choose from, with color variations due to differences in particle size.

The following image shows the Miraval painted unevenly. Depending on the thickness of the paint and the way the light hits it, you can see both white and gold colors. The image is taken with a slightly rounded base material, which makes it easier to see the changes in the visual effect caused by the light.

■ Painting Materials

Pigment : Miraval Scenic Gold

Painting substrate : (Black) Torinoko paper

Next, I’m going to introduce three colors that have a darker hue and tone.

Same as the way I showed you in the above effect pigments, white pearlescent colors show up when you paint on a white background, and the original colors of the pigments will show on a black background.

■Colorstream

Colorstream is made of silica flakes. It is also coated with metal oxides such as titanium dioxide and iron oxide.

Depending on the angle of view, a variety of changes from the pigment can be seen, and thanks to its unique visual effects, perhaps you can use it as a new kind of expression in your drawing!