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The Best Iridescent Paint for Special Effects on Your Walls

Art Life Review Team
Written By Art Life Review Team
Last updated: May 15, 2025, 05:34 PM
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Iridescent Paint

Are you tired of your standard, everyday paintings? Are you bored with the same tried-and-true techniques you’ve been using for years? Then it’s time to take your artwork to the next level with iridescent paint! Iridescent paint is unique because it creates a shift of colors when exposed to light, giving your canvases a mesmerizing, otherworldly look that will draw the eye. Whether you’re a skilled professional or a novice painter, you’ll be amazed at the range of effects you can create with this special paint.

From stunning dual tones to high-shine metallics, you’re sure to find the perfect shade to bring a unique flair and personality to your artwork. But finding the right paint that will give you the highest-quality results can be daunting. That’s why we have compiled a list of the best iridescent paints of 2025.

View all Contents
  • Iridescent Paint: A Buying Guide
  • People Also Asked
  • Trusted Insights from Artists
  • Contributors
  • Related Reviews

Our Top Picks

  • ARTEZA Iridescent Paint: Best Overall (Shop Now) →
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  • PEBEO Iridescent Paint: Most Viscous Pigments (Shop Now) →
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  • Amsterdam Iridescent Paint: Best Waterproof (Shop Now) →
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  • Liquitex Iridescent Paint: Most Opaque (Shop Now) →
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  • DANIEL SMITH Iridescent Paint: High Quality (Shop Now) →
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Our Picks for the Top Iridescent Paint in 2025

ARTEZA Iridescent Paint

Best Overall
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The Arteza Iridescent Acrylic Paint set offers an exciting and unique way to express your creativity. The 10 color-shifting paints have a thick, high-viscosity formula perfect for blending and creating different textures with brushes or palette knives. As versatile acrylic-based paints, they can be used on canvas, wood, rocks, fabrics, and paper.

The color-shifting properties of the paint create a dazzling iridescent effect that can be used to add dimension and interest to any project. You can mix and match the colors in the set to finish your project. The quick-drying formula ensures that your project will stay vibrant and won’t run or fade over time. This is also our top overall choice owing to the high viscosity and 10 dynamic color it offers to its customers.

Product Pros
  • Can be used on a variety of surfaces
  • Easy to use and clean
  • Create a variety of textures
Product Cons
  • Not enough iridescent medium

PEBEO Iridescent Paint

Most Viscous Pigments
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The PEBEO Iridescent Paint is an exceptional product with superior performance and outstanding quality. The vivid and deep, richly pigmented colors provide a matt, satin finish that will please the most discerning artist. The lines include classic, Dyna, fluo, and metallic colors that are sure to expand any artist’s creative possibilities. 

Not only can this paint be used alone or mixed, but it can also be combined with studio acrylic mediums to expand your creative possibilities. With its thick consistency, it is particularly suited to working in dimension and keeps the imprint of brushes and painting knives. As far as versatility and adhering to quality go, this product won’t disappoint. It can easily be used for collage, working in layers, and mixed media and is suitable for most surfaces, such as canvas, cardboard, wood, metal, and liquid art panels. 

Product Pros
  • Rich, fully pigmented
  • Thick but not clumpy
  • Correct hue for the shade
Product Cons
  • Can be difficult for beginner painters to use

Amsterdam Iridescent Paint

Best Waterproof
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The Amsterdam Iridescent Paint is a set of six pre-selected 20ml pearlescent acrylic paints. With an incredibly high pigment load and finely ground pigments, these paints provide intense and clear colors that extend far beyond your average paint. The waterproof category is exceeded with this set, making it perfect for those who want to keep their painted artwork for many years to come. Since the paints are pearlescent, the reflex colors appear pastel on light surfaces, but look incredibly vibrant on dark surfaces with a brightness that will make your art stand out wherever you choose to display it.

With this set, you can create artwork that is saturated in color, yet still maintains its delicate nature. In this set, there are six specific colors that have been tailored to work perfectly together and offer endless possibilities when creating a unique piece of art. Whatever you decide to paint, you can be sure that the result will be an accurate representation of the original vision and beautiful in every way.

Product Pros
  • Colors become more intense as they dry
  • Perfect for creating a mother-of-pearl effect
  • Vivid on dark background
  • Affordable price point
Product Cons
  • May require a dark base for more vivid effects

Liquitex Iridescent Paint

Most Opaque
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The Liquitex Iridescent Paint provides optimal performance in a variety of techniques and applications. The iridescent white formula contains pure pigments that are known for their rich, permanent colors, thanks to using the latest basket bead-mill technology. The high-viscosity paint has an ideal consistency and handles and blends well with an increased open-working time.

The low-odor acrylic resin base offers colors of great clarity and vibrancy with minimal wet-to-dry shift. When dry, the paint film is highly flexible, durable, non-yellowing, UV-resistant, and water-resistant, providing a crack-free result even when applied in thick layers or impasto styles. The pigments are also lightfast, making it archival quality with permanence of at least 50 years in gallery conditions. With its remarkable lasting power, this highly versatile paint can bring a beautiful finish to any artwork.

Product Pros
  • Opaque and intense colors 
  • Creamy smooth texture 
  • Mixable with other paint brands 
  • Affordable compared to other brands 
Product Cons
  • Packaging is weak and prone to breaking

DANIEL SMITH Iridescent Paint

High Quality
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The Daniel Smith Iridescent Paint is a must-have for all serious painters. Its unique shade creates an electric luminescent look with a pearlescent luster. The luminous quality of this pigment allows it to shimmer delicately on any canvas, and its striking colors are sure to draw attention and admiration. The saturation and concentration of this pigment is unsurpassed, allowing for clear, vibrant tones and maximum coverage when layered. 

It blends effortlessly with other colors and dries quickly, providing depth and texture to any painting. Whether you’re an experienced watercolorist or a beginner looking to build their palette, these iridescent paints are an excellent choice. With exquisite pigmentation, bold tone, and luminous sheen, this color adds a unique brilliance that’s sure to impress.

Product Pros
  • Varied and beautiful colors 
  • Lightfast and glows under black light 
  • Excellent for portrait skin tones 
  • Premium quality and creamy consistency 
Product Cons
  • Some don’t like the smell

Iridescent Paint: A Buying Guide

If you are looking to add something special to your painting, consider using iridescent paint to create unique visual effects that will make your painting stand out. These paints can create a variety of effects like a rainbow-like glimmer or a shimmery sparkle, depending on the paint you choose.

When adding special effects to your painting, you want to make sure you pick the perfect one. It’s important to consider all the features that go into making iridescent paint the finest choice for you. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the process and pick the perfect product.

What to Consider Before Buying Iridescent Paint
Quality

Quality is of utmost importance when choosing iridescent paint for your project. Look for paint that is highly pigmented and has a smooth, even finish. Choose brands that have excellent reviews on quality and consistency, so you can be confident in your purchase.

Color

Color should be one of your primary considerations when choosing iridescent paint. Select a hue that will complement the painting you are creating or experiment with different shades until you find the right one. Consider how light or dark the hue will look on your canvas or other surface.

Sheen

Along with color, consider the amount of sheen or gloss in the paint as this can affect the overall look of your painting. If a high sheen is desired, go for a high-end brand that has excellent shine. For a more subtle effect, select a lower-sheen paint with more subdued tones.

Weather resistance

Depending on where your painting will be located, it’s important to make sure the paint stands up to varying weather. Increased resistance to heat and humidity may be necessary when displaying artwork outside.

Viscosity

Pay attention to the viscosity of the paint before purchasing it as this can impact how easy it is to apply and cover large areas quickly. Thicker paints can help minimize runoff and ensure even coverage, while thinner paints are better suited for fine details and precise applications.

Durability

When selecting your iridescent paint, make sure it will last for many years without fading or chipping away. Most professional-grade paints offer superior wearability over lesser-quality brands and provide increased protection against abrasions and scratches. Be sure to check out customer reviews before buying any product to ensure its quality.

Coverage

Pay close attention to how much coverage one coat of paint will provide when deciding which brand is perfect for your project. If you need more than one coat of paint for full coverage, look for a brand that offers superior coverage at an affordable price point.

Cost

Quality iridescent paints can often be expensive because of their complexity and level of pigment used in production. Look for brands that offer great value without sacrificing quality, so you don’t end up breaking the bank trying to achieve optimal results.

Cleanup

Check to see if the paint can be cleaned up easily with soap and water, or if a more specialized solution is required depending on where your artwork will be displayed or stored long-term. Many paints come with instructions on how to clean them up if needed, so be sure to read thoroughly before purchase.

Versatility

Iridescent paints can come in different forms such as gels, sprays, pastes, markers, and more, so you want to be sure the product you choose can be used on canvas, wood, paper, or other surfaces as needed and works well with different painting media, such as oil paints and acrylics.

People Also Asked

How can I add dimension and texture to my painting with iridescent paint?

You can add texture and depth to your painting with iridescent paint by adding layers of different colors or shades of the same color, varying the amount and direction of the stippling as you go. You can also mix a small amount of glitter into the paint to give it a sparkly effect. 

Are there any tricks to mixing colors of iridescent paint?

When mixing colors of iridescent paint, it is good to start with a small amount of the base color, then gradually add more until you get the desired result. Start by mixing tiny amounts at first so that you don't end up with too much paint at once!

What is the ideal way to create a smooth finish with iridescent paint?

 The ideal way to create a smooth finish with iridescent paint is by using a slow drying time, allowing each layer to dry completely before applying the next layer. After each layer has dried, lightly sand away any rough spots using fine-grit sandpaper. Once all layers have been applied and sanded, you can finish with a coat of high gloss varnish to seal your work and create a beautiful, glossy finish.

Are there any safety precautions I should take when using iridescent paint?

Yes, you should always wear protective gloves and safety goggles when using any type of paint, especially if you are working in an enclosed space with no ventilation or low airflow. Make sure that your work area is well-ventilated and that all paints are stored away from children or pets who may accidentally come into contact with them. 

Can I use iridescent paint on outdoor surfaces?

Yes, you can use iridescent paints on outdoor surfaces as long as they are properly sealed against moisture damage and protected from harsh weather such as rain or strong winds. It is important to note that outdoor pieces will require more frequent touch-ups in order to maintain their desired effect. 

Are there any tools or supplies I need in order to add special effects with iridescent paint?

Consider buying some additional materials such as glitters, mica powders, enamel pens, stencils, markers, or wax crayons which can add extra texture and dimension to your work. You may need some additional items, such as sealants and varnishes for application over painted surfaces outside or indoors. These will help protect your artwork from damaging elements such as water or weathering.

How long does it take for iridescent paint to dry?

 It usually takes about two hours for iridescent paint to dry completely, but it can vary depending on the temperature and humidity levels in the area where you are working. 

Trusted Insights from Artists

At Art Life Today, our passion for arts and crafts is at the heart of everything we do. We understand that the right tools and materials can make all the difference in your creative projects, so we take our responsibility as reviewers seriously. Our goal is to help you discover the best products that will inspire your creativity and bring your artistic visions to life.

Contributors

Art Life Review Team
Art Life Review Team
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