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Working with color, texture and sheen

In preparation for using acrylic colors, gels or texture on printed components, seal the printed surface with GOLDEN Archival Varnish (Gloss). This may take several coats depending on the absorbency of the printed surface. Once the surface has been well coated, the inks will be much less susceptible to bleeding.

The options for working with color, texture and sheen are practically limitless, so here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Accent characteristics of your print with GOLDEN Heavy Body or Fluid Acrylic colors.
  
  
• Use GOLDEN Regular Gel as a post-coat to create brushstroke texture or use Gel Topcoat w/UVLS for texture plus protection from fading.
  
  
• Add special effects with GOLDEN Iridescent and Interference paints; colors that are impossible to reproduce with printing inks alone.
  
  
• Blend acrylic mediums or gels with color for translucent glazes that can be applied in multiple layers to create depth. 
  
  
• Use tiny amounts of GOLDEN Heavy Body or Fluid Acrylic Primary Cyan, Primary Magenta or Primary Yellow for detailed touch-ups.
  
  
• Use thin viscosity GOLDEN Matte Medium or thick viscosity GOLDEN Heavy Gel (Matte) for an encaustic look.
  
  
• Add opaque texture with tinted Coarse Pumice Gel or Light Molding Paste.
  
  
• Apply acrylic products and then coat with one of the Digital Grounds to overprint additional images onto the work.

As a general rule, when using gels as layers on top of prints, it is best to use a gel with Gloss sheen. Once the layering is complete the final coat or two can be done with a Semi-Gloss or Matte gel if sheen adjustment is desired.

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