What inspired me?
A piece of fluorite and quartz.
 
As you know, if you've read the Gallery section, I love delving into a subject and making new discoveries. Research can take the form of online searches, but it's the most fun to experience something in person. 
 
Museum collections are great places for researching a subject and gaining inspiration. Lapworth Geology Museum, Birmingham, was a treasure trove of mineral specimens.  A small piece of fluorite encrusted with quartz was particularly appealing.
 
The painting benefits from different consistencies of acrylic paints, and utilises several acrylic mediums and additives. 
 
The first layer was made from buff and turquoise Heavy Body acrylic paints, establishing a base layer that could peep through subsequent layers.  The second layer was silver. 
 
Next came the mediums: Glass Bead Gel, mica flakes sprinkled over Gloss Gel, and White Flakes Gel.
 
Texture was added by mixing marble dust with Gloss Gel. 
Once dry, it was painted with black, then turquoise, then silver.
 
The final layer was fluid acrylic ink. The final piece shows how lustre may be overt or subtle, pin-point or in flat planes.  The effects change with the light, when the work is viewed from different angles.