This post is submitted by our very own Shyartist
Glittercore Watercolor Painting: My Whimsical New Art Style
I’ve been experimenting with a new art style that I’ve decided to call Glittercore. It isn’t quite the same as the versions you might see online—it’s my Glittercore, and it’s inspired by how I see the world around me. It’s whimsical, luminous, and joyful, capturing the way sunlight sparkles on flowers, leaves, and water.
What My Glittercore Means
Glittercore, as I practice it, is about finding the magical shimmer in everyday nature. It’s not just about glitter—it’s about light itself.
- 🌿 The glow of sunlit leaves in a tree
- 🌸 Blossoms that seem to sparkle in full bloom
- 💧 Water catching light with a soft shine
My art is whimsical even without metallic paints, but with mica shimmer, it feels enchanted—like nature glowing from within.
Glittercore vs. Other “Cores”
Many modern aesthetics end with -core, so here’s how mine compares:
- Sparklecore – Dreamy, whimsical, and ethereal art with glitter, glowing light, and fantasy scenes.
- Glowcore – Focused on neon, artificial lights, and futuristic vibes.
- Dreamcore – Surreal and hazy, with nostalgic or unsettling dreamlike imagery.
- Glittercore (common use) – Often just means covering everything with chunky glitter.
✨ My Glittercore is different. It’s inspired by nature’s shimmer—the luminous way sunlight transforms ordinary things.
Why I Make My Own Mica Watercolors
Metallic watercolor paints are beautiful but often expensive. To make Glittercore more accessible for me, I decided to create my own mica watercolors.
Instead of buying a full eco-friendly binder kit, I used Winsor & Newton Gum Arabic—it’s reliable, easy to find, and simple to work with. My pigments came from Natural Earth Paint, which are non-toxic, archival, and sustainably sourced. All of my supplies came from Amazon since I live in the country and don’t have access to art stores.
Making my own paints not only saved money but also gave me a deeper connection to my work.
Supplies I Used
- Pigments: Natural Earth Paint Pigment Sample Pack (20 colors)
- Binder: Winsor & Newton Gum Arabic solution
- Tools: Nuanchu Watercolor Paint Muller Set (glass muller, slab, knives, and half pans)
- Optional: Pipette or ⅛ teaspoon for measuring, paper towels for cleanup
The kit was listed for oil and acrylic, but it works perfectly for watercolor. I didn’t bother with the magnetic strips or glue dots—instead, I filled empty half pans from an old watercolor set.
Aside: I purchase my watercolor supplies and tools from Amazon.com. I am not an affiliate and make no money from sharing this information. I include it only to help readers find a place to purchase these items if they wish.
Step-by-Step: Making Glittercore Mica Watercolor
- Measure the pigment
Place about ½ teaspoon of mica pigment on the glass slab.
For my first batch, I chose gold. - Add binder
Use a pipette or ⅛ teaspoon to add just enough gum arabic to dampen the pigment.
The mixture should be like thick cream cheese—never watery. - Grind and mix
With the glass muller, grind the pigment and binder together.
Keep pressing and swirling until smooth and creamy, about 5–10 minutes. - Test consistency
Swatch the mixture on watercolor paper.
If it looks streaky or chalky, add a drop more gum arabic. - Fill half pans
Use the palette knife to place the mixture into empty half pans.
Tap lightly on the table to remove bubbles and settle the paint. - Dry completely
Leave the pans uncovered for 24–48 hours until hardened.
Once dry, they rewet easily with a damp brush.
My Experience So Far
I began with gold mica watercolor paint, and the results were magical: a soft shimmer that brought warmth and glow to my painting. My next step is to make silver mica, and eventually, I’ll build a whole palette of handmade Glittercore paints.
Painting with colors I created myself feels extra special. It’s not just about the shimmer—it’s about pouring more of myself into my art.
What’s Next
Below you’ll find a video of my first animated Glittercore watercolor painting made with metallic paint. This is only the beginning of my Glittercore journey.
In my next post, I’ll show you how to make your own metallic mica watercolor paints step by step—starting with silver! I’ll also share more of my whimsical art inspired by nature’s glow.
✨ Stay tuned—there’s a lot more shimmer and sparkle to come.
Written and Illustrated by The Shy Artist 🎨✨
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