Crystal Forest – Gold itself looks appropriate based on how it shines rather than its “color.” Create a dark base. Place gold over dark areas like black, dark brown, or deep blue, and the shine will appear stronger. Don’t make the gold a single color. Mix ochre with a small amount of red or brown for the “gold on the shadow side,” and mix bright yellow with white for the “gold where the light hits.” If you have metallic paint, use it only on the brightest spots to create a sense of volume. How to add a grainy texture. Stand the brush tip upright to place dots, tap with a stiff brush, or lightly rub with a dry brush to create a “group of grains.” For the cat: Concentrate gold particles only on parts of its body to make it glow like a “core” or “heart.” Scatter small gold particles around it to make it look like it’s “wearing an aura.” Outline it with a dark color, and fill the inside with a gold gradient, and it will look like it’s floating above the background. A composition of a cat walking straight towards the viewer.