Ty, yoru right, it was a great article, however it did make some assumptions based upon experience, so a rank beginner might have some trouble connecting the dots. But it stands as a VERY good article. Another one slightly later I think dealt with his polishing methods and was actually much more educational for me personnaly,
let it not be assumed that I didnt learn from any of his articles, they were all good and had several nuggets in them

Ty,

Using pearls is an interesting experience. I thought metallics were bad for not being about to touch them up without going full bore (retape, reshoot ... carefully). The pearl is just about impossible to retouch. Once it's on; what you got is what you got.

Some of the more advanced techniques like complicated taping schemes or using off the beaten track materials like various ice pearls or interference colors is stuff I'm just learning to use and experimenting with. You can get some nice effects, but it can be easily overdone and all of them are really easy to screw up. I'm not even remotely qualified to teach anyone else to use them yet. Maybe eventually.

Don McClave always says he would rather use the time it takes to do a 20 point airplane and just practice the pattern. For us less talented painters seem like a good solution.