Follow these simple directions to make your Radiant Pearls artwork look fabulous!

• For best results, stamp your image in black pigment ink and emboss with black detail embossing powder. For highly detailed images (such as Shy Bears from The Merry Stamper) you may want to apply the ink to the stamp using a brayer.
• Paper is important. Some papers are plastic coated - such as some vellums and glossies. As with pigment ink, you need to emboss on these papers as the paint may never dry. For air drying, we suggest Hammermill Via (80 weight) or Wausau Exact Vellum Bristol 80. These particular cardstocks absorb the paint quickly and minimize drying time. Or you can use Glamma Vellum - with this particular vellum, the paint will dry.
• Apply Radiant Pearls with a paintbrush. For highest amount of shimmer, do not use a wet brush. Pour the colors out onto a palette (you can use an old CD or a plastic coated plate). Don't worry - you won't waste it. Radiant Pearls never dries on plastic. It always stays suspended and never needs stirring.
• Many stamped images have lines or dots to show shadows and light. The shaded areas should be painted the darkest color and the broader, unshaded areas should be painted the lightest color. If you get too much paint on your paper, spread it around by picking up the excess with your brush.
• Decide what color range you want to use. Lay down your lightest color first. Always mask the "light" areas first. Use a light hand - a little Radiant Pearls goes a long way.
• Next, dip your brush into the darker color and paint where the image is etched or shaded. Depending on the size of the area you are covering, you may want to use a middle shade between the lightest and the dark. You can use a third color, or just mix some of the lighter color with the darker color to blend your own shade.
• You can emboss with Radiant Pearls. While the paint is still wet, apply clear embossing powder and heat with a heat tool. For added dimension, you may want to emboss only a portion of the image and let the rest air dry. For instance, you could paint and emboss a flower, then paint the background and leave it to air dry.
• For a more dramatic look, deeper shading can be added using embossing pens. For a beautiful accent, dip the tip of your paintbrush in some Pearl Ex and swipe a little glimmer here and there.
• For great backgrounds, use a stipple brush or a Kat Trax Kewl Tool. Or apply Radiant Pearls to cardstock with a brayer.
• If you like watercolors, you might want to try using Radiant Pearls in a similar fashion. A waterbrush is a great tool. Be aware that the amount of shimmer and shine will be slightly diminished when using water. We suggest sticking with the more vibrant colors when using a wet brush to apply Radiant Pearls.
• With solid stamps, you might want to try applying Radiant Pearls directly to the stamp using a stipple brush. Then stamp the image. For another effect, stamp more than once before reapplying the paint.