DO I HAVE TO MIX THE FORMULA BEFORE USE?
No. Glow Cubed paints come ready to use in a resealable tube. Just like any other artist oil paint.
What is the consistency ?
The paint has a heavy body consistency, specifically designed to effectively distribute and suspend the dense glow pigments throughout the medium. It differs from finely milled paints, which contain smaller particles. If you desire to adjust the consistency, you can do so by incorporating oil mediums like Odorless Mineral Spirits to thin it out, or by adding Glass Beads to increase its thickness. These modifications offer flexibility in achieving the desired texture and application properties.
Can i varnish?
For the best preservation of your artwork, we recommend using any artist's varnish that is specifically designed to be removable and is considered "archival." This ensures that if you ever need to clean your painting in the future, it can be easily accomplished. It is advisable to avoid using varnish from hardware stores, as these typically do not offer removability.
Applying a varnish finish to your painting serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it enhances and saturates the colors of the dry paint, bringing out their full vibrancy. Additionally, it provides a protective layer, safeguarding your artwork from environmental factors and potential damage.
WHAT DOES THE PAINT LOOK LIKE DURING DAYLIGHT?
Glow Cubed paints, specifically Lightning Bug and Blue Mermaid, exhibit a pale yellow hue that can appear almost white. These paints possess a subtle gritty texture, which is attributed to the presence of prominent glow crystals. You have the option to use them as they are or mix them with other transparent oil colors to create unique shades.
During the nighttime, these paints emanate a captivating glow in shades of green and blue, adding an enchanting dimension to your artwork. The glow can last for an impressive duration of 10 to 12 hours, breathing life into your painting when observed in darkness.
WHAT SURFACES CAN I USE GLOW CUBED GLOW PAINT ON?
You can apply this paint over both oil and acrylic paintings, as well as on any surface that is compatible with oil paint.
CAN I MIX GLOW CUBED PAINT WITH OTHER OIL COLORS?
Glow Cubed paints have the flexibility to be tinted with transparent and semi-transparent oil colors, but it's important to note that excessive tinting may reduce the overall glow effect. To achieve the desired results, it is recommended to use tinting sparingly. It is crucial to avoid mixing in opaque oil colors altogether, as they obstruct and absorb light, effectively diminishing the glow effect.
What light charges the paint the best?
Glow Cubed paints can be charged by various light sources such as U.V. black lights, fluorescent lights, LEDs, sunlight, and halogens, while incandescent lights have a less pronounced effect. To experience a vibrant and prominent glow, you can take your artwork outside into the sunlight for 5-10 minutes and then bring it back indoors, allowing your eyes to adjust to the darkened environment.
A complete charge is achieved quickly and is sufficient to keep the glow throughout the night. It's advisable to have a black light near your easel, allowing you to check your colors as you paint. LED black lights and fluorescent tube black lights are recommended for optimal results, while CFL black lights are not as efficient and therefore not recommended.
How thick should I paint layers for glow?
When it comes to applying the paint, a thicker application generally yields better results, up to a certain extent. The thickness of the paint layer affects how effectively the light can penetrate it and interact with the white background, which acts as a reflector to enhance the glow.
For most display environments, using a palette knife to apply one or two layers of paint is typically sufficient. If you prefer using a brush, aim for a depth of around 1/16". However, it's best to experiment and find the right balance of color saturation and glow that suits your preferences.
Which paint is the brightest Glow?
Among the Glow Cubed paints, Lighting Bug exhibits the brightest glow, while Blue Mermaid boasts the longest duration of glow. By layering these paints, you can achieve a dynamic effect where the glow color changes over time due to the varying brightness of each layer.
The colored paints in the Glow Cubed range can glow for approximately 4 hours or even longer. It's worth noting that Purple Blue has a relatively lower glow intensity, but it serves as a crucial dark color for creating tints and shades. For a comprehensive understanding of the available colors and their characteristics, please refer to our color chart.