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Achieve a Contemporary Look using Metallic Inks on Gourds

Using metallic inks on gourds, Grace Swanson creates a comptempory look. See how she does it.

using metallic ink on gourds

Metallic inks colors can add real impact to your gourd. There are mixative inks that you can add to the ink dyes you already own. The effect of the metallic silver, gold, copper, and pearl does change the look of most dye colors and gives them a shimmer. I have used these on my southwest jewelry pieces to great effect. There are three brands to consider.

Using metallic inks on gourds, 

Yours choices of products

pixiss brand

The Pixiss Metallic Alcohol Ink comes on Pearl, Gold, Silver, Gunmetal for $18.

 

The Pinata set comes with White, Pearl, Silver, Gold Brass, and Copper, and an applicator pen for $40.

tom holt brand

The Ranger Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Mixatives Bundle includes 7 Colors, Pearl, Copper, Silver, Gold, Snow Cap, Rose Gold, Gunmetal, for about $38

Welburn metallic ink set

Welburn carries a set of  20 GourdMaster Metallic Gourd Ink already mixed bottles of inks. At $150 for the set. Individually they are around $7.00

Thicker than the regular Gourd Ink Dyes, the Metallic Gourd Inks are applied using a paintbrush or Fine Tip Applicator and go on as a solid, opaque color.
Grace with pot

Our Artist

One of most impressive use of these dyes I’ve seen has been the work of California artist, Grace Swanson. Her graphic background has led her to create a contemporary look that is unusual in the gourd art world. The modern and Mid-Century trend in home design leaves a lot of buyers looking for a contemporary look in their art choices. Grace has filled that need. Her technique of using metallic dyes on gourds can be followed by anyone.

If you are an American Gourd Society member, just pull out the Spring 2021 copy for her tutorial. Not a member? Then you must, because this magazine is filled with great information!

In this tutorial, she uses only three metallic colors plus Apple red ink.

apple red dye
gold ink

She prefers to use the kettle and canteen gourds because the round body has the most surface for the design. She says it also sells well. Pull out your circle guides, ruler and start drawing geometric shapes randomly or in a pattern around your gourd choice. You will want to wood burn these lines deeply into the gourd. Then you are ready for her painting technique.

Finish gourd from tutorial.
undercoat

The method begins with applying red non-metallic dye to some of the areas you have drawn. Cover the entire spot or just where a shadow would be. Then heat set the dye.  She uses her green and gold metallic colors on all the other areas except for the focal point or accent area, where she uses the Aqua.

The Effect of the Red Dye undercoat

The dyed areas will change the color of the metallic inks. Yellow over red will create a spot that is more  orange. The green over the red dye creates a different shade of green with a purplish tone.  Therefore these two colors become many more tonal colors according to the darkness of the red dye used. She then picks an accent color, Aqua, and uses it in only a few spots, which keeps the eye moving around the gourd. You can do the same. Buy three colors and try her technique.

Using Metallic ink on gourds can have an impressive appeal!

Take  a look at more of her work. Perhaps a design here will inspire you to try something similar. It is just lines and circles!

gourd
gourd
gourd

Here is some examples of other gourds that go a little beyond her technique. Can you see how the application has changed?

Tips From Grace

If brushed on thick, the metallic ink becomes opaque. A light coat can become transparent creating an entirely different effect.

gourd

Yellow is most difficult and can become streaky, so use a larger brush and stroke slowly trying not to get the dye in the wood burned line. Clean any errors with a toothpick.

These dyes take longer to dry so be patient and keep the gun handy and dry as you go. If the ink bubbles, you are too close to the paint!

Another trick is to paint the top edge of her gourd with black paint because it makes the metallic ink pop.

gourds on self

These metallic inks will need special protection. Let the colors set for several days before the final protective sprays. Begin with a UV protection spray, then with a high gloss polyurethane spray. Be aware that the colors will last long if the gourd is kept out of the sun.

Once Grace tried these metallic inks she couldn’t stop. She learned as she experimented. What would happen if the undercoat color was different?

What would happen if white or pearl was added? I recommend that you buy 3 or four of these colors and try them. Then if you fall in love, you can go for the entire set or at least a few more colors!

Check more of her work on her webite. 

Bettie Lake

I am a former art educator and gourd art master helping new artists understand how to succeed with gourd art. I use my blog posts and our Facebook Group Page to communicate with my followers. Hopefully you learn some new things from this post and will return to read others.

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