Making Color Samples

This past week I made color samples of new colors I orders from Thompson Enamels.  I decided to use pennies as my base for the samples.  If you do this, you have to use pennies from 1981 or before based on copper content.  I also found that this is much more efficiently done is large batches.  And, of course, they are all torch fired.  Here are the steps I used.

 First I washed the pennies with Penny Bright, a fabulous product that I use on all the copper I enamel. 

 I covered 2/3 of the penny with Undercoat White.

 I then added a strip of silver foil.

 Then I covered the entire penny with the transparent color I need the sample for.

This way, I can see how the transparent looks on copper, silver and white.  This makes a big difference in how the color comes out.  Thompson does a pretty good job in their catalog of getting the colors accurate but it helps to see it in person.  I feel it is always helpful to have a reference when putting colors together.  Keep Creating :)