"Transparent" paint or color wash for musliin/plastic?

[JLNorthGA]

We want to back light the muslin flats and show colors. Obviously if you do this with ordinary paint, the opaque material in the paint would cause you to see just a dark "blob" as opposed to any colors. I also had some ideas for painting translucent plastics to show colors.

What would be a suitable paint or color wash to use on muslin and or plastic? We want to see the colors. Obviously we need quarts, not gallons. We would prefer a range of colors. I had thought of wood stains, but I don't know if these would be suitable (or come in the right colors).

 

[Footer]

You actually paint with dyes to do this right. Its a bit of a pain but creates a great effect.

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[Tex]

A tinted glaze might work and be easier to deal with, but dye would be best.

 

[Robert]

Rosco Super Saturated paint can be diluted down to create a tranlucent wash and still maintain vibrant color. I used it to do a stained glass window. Not as brilliant as glass, but effective.

 

[JLNorthGA]

I am going to try and convince SWMBO (AKA Laurel) to try dyes. I had thought about watercolor paint, but I don't know if that will work.

 

[CrazyTechie]

It might be worth trying some or all of the suggested methods on a smaller scale and seeing which one works best for what you are trying to do. That is if you have the time, supplies, etc.

 

[BrianWolfe]

For the muslin aniline dyes work great. For the plastic glass stains work well.