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Chrome
Studying chrome outdoors is perhaps the easiest way to understand reflective metal. The sky-earth effect shows the horizon between sky and ground. Sky-earth technique is used to paint highly reflective metallic, such as chrome. Blue is used for sky and brown for the ground. Of course, the color may change depending on the color of the ground, such as green for grass or dark blue or black for a night sky. The horizon follows the curvature of the metallic surface. Placement of the highlight depends on the position of the light source.
Gold
By painting in the recessed areas with dark brown, shadows and dimensions are created. Layers of dark yellow-mustard lighten the piece to achieve the gold color. Highlights are added, first with light yellow, then, with pure white to represent gold's reflective property.
Silver and Steel
Silver and steel are duller than chrome or gold. Weapons and armor made from steel are chipped, scratched or dented. Polished steel requires an undercoat of a medium blue for the darkest areas. For grayer steel, a blue-black undercoat is used. White tint with a touch of blue is applied liberally with a dry brush to create a brushed metallic look. Layers should dry between each application. Brushing white over blue tint builds up highlights of the metal.
Rust
Aged, weather-beaten or worn metal textures are among the hardest to render. Because of reduced reflectivity, there is difficultly discerning the metal. The rust effect is accomplished by a stippling technique. Dabbing a very thin mix of translucent reddish-brown paint directly onto the finished non-metallic painted area simulates rust. By applying more paint in the recessed areas darker shadows are created.