Preparing the Clay Butterflies
The butterflies are first cast in white air-dry paper clay using a detailed Cosmic Shimmer silicone butterfly mould. For a warm, porcelain-style look, the clay itself can be lightly tinted before moulding with a very small amount of orange and / or brown clay, kneading thoroughly to tint the white clay a soft, warm shade. Because these moulds are packed with fine detail, this colouring technique is designed specifically to show that off, rather than hiding everything under a flat coat of paint.
Choosing and Mixing Colours
The inks used here are Cosmic Shimmer water-based inks in Marigold, Cobalt Blue Hue and Hot Magenta. Together, these three behave like a set of process colours. From these, almost any colour can be mixed – including skin tones and soft blends – simply by letting the inks overlap. Adding Dark Walnut introduces beautiful muted tones and deep neutrals.
Fast Colouring Technique
The secret to this technique is working quickly with a larger brush and letting the colours blend, rather than painstakingly painting every vein. You can mix the colours as you wish but to get the same look as demonstrated in this video follow this process. Dilute Marigold with water in the palette, then brush it over one wing at a time, making sure it flows into all the recesses. While the yellow is still damp, brush Hot Magenta over part of the wing. Where the two meet, they naturally create beautiful oranges and fiery blends. Add Cobalt Blue Hue towards the outer edges. As the blue meets the magenta, it forms rich purples, giving a smooth transition from yellow → orange → pink → purple → blue across the wing. Run some of the darker colour (such as blue or brown) carefully around the edges so that no stark white clay shows on the sides, which can break the illusion of a fully coloured piece. Throughout, it’s important to start with the lightest colour first and then move to darker tones. Clean the brush thoroughly between colours to avoid muddying the wells. The same process can be used for a more autumnal butterfly by leaning into yellows, oranges, magentas and Dark Walnut for a rich toned finish.
Wiping Back to Reveal the Detail
Once the wings are fully coloured, the raised veining is brought back with a simple wipe-back step. Take a baby wipe or a piece of damp kitchen paper (damp, not soaking wet). Gently wipe across the raised areas of the wings so the colour lifts from the highest points. The ink remains in the recesses, so all the raised detail appears crisp and against the vivid colour. It’s important not to scrub as paper clay will soften if over-wetted, and pressing too hard can flatten the raised detail. A light touch is enough to reveal the pattern while keeping the shape intact. The same trick works perfectly on the butterfly body and antennae: first paint with a dark neutral (for example, Cobalt Blue Hue mixed with Dark Walnut to create a soft, charcoal-grey), then lightly wipe across once it has settled.
Adding Sparkle with Cosmic Shimmer Twinkles
To finish, the butterflies can be given a subtle (or not-so-subtle!) sparkle using Cosmic Shimmer Twinkles. Apply a thin, even layer over the wings with a brush or by gently spreading it with your finger. The product will look milky and opaque while wet – this is normal. As it dries, the acrylic base clears completely and the ultra-fine glitter is revealed, giving a beautifully even, high-quality sparkle. A little goes a long way; spreading it out thinly allows the colour beneath to shine through, while still delivering plenty of shimmer.
Using Your Finished Butterflies
Once dry, the butterflies have the look of little brooches or enamel pieces. They’re ideal for removable keepsakes on greeting cards (they're too beautiful to throw away), bookmarks and clips, fridge magnets and decorative accents on boxes, journals or mixed media canvases. Because the colouring method is so fast and forgiving, it’s easy to build up a whole collection of butterflies in different colours – some bright and summery, others warm and autumnal – all showcasing the detailed veining created by Cosmic Shimmer silicone moulds and the rich blends of Cosmic Shimmer water-based inks.
