Feel joy in your process and create meaningful, beautiful art
Mixed media art is all about the process, full of playful experiments, collage, layers of light and shadow, and a touch of grunge. This is what makes mixed media so different from other styles of art.
Mixed media is all about the layering.
And the first layers really matter.
Creating depth and dimension through the addition of multiple layers is the key to making your artwork dynamic. I share the process for creating complex, mixed-media under layers using a neutral colour palette in my free workshop Mini Muses Makers. One of my favourite techniques for creating depth is using translucent layering. As I add translucent papers, the level of depth begins to build up, and colour shifts occur. You can still see all the detail from the layers below, making this one the most exciting parts mixed-media layering (in my opinion!)
I like to use not only papers, but fabrics and other types of textiles in the layers of my mixed media art. Incorporating all these materials in a way that adds to the story your art has to tell is the key. I have a short video demonstration of how I take different types of textiles and make them all into a consistent substrate that can be painted or drawn on and treated just like any other substrate. Visit my YouTube Channel to watch the video, A Mixed Media Textile Art Demonstration - (link) How to turn textiles into a paintable substrate.
A Mixed Media Textile Art Demonstration
Ready to take your layering to the next level?!
Here are a few of my favourite ingredients: Burlap, parchment, handmade lace from Italy, vintage papers, deer hide, twine, deli paper, crocheted and embroidered napkins, plaster, sewing pattern, and sketch of white pines, handmade paper with pressed flowers…
Some people newer to mixed media say they didn’t quite understand the concept of applying something, and then covering it up. This is a reasonable question - I know! BUT….
Building effective layers is a magical process! In some places, you can see through to the bottom layer, while in others, you might only see the very top layer. I have heard this effect referred to as “lost and found”! You may lose some layers in one area of a piece, but find them again in another. This builds visual interest, depth, and complexity. Layers make your work more interesting!
AND…
You can “excavate” through the layers as well.
This is where my background in archaeology comes in. Sometimes, I sand layers and if corners of paper lift up, I rips these parts of the paper off and expose the underlayers. I will use water and a palette knife to scrap away parts of the top layers.
My signature workshop Personal Portraits ~ a mixed media journey, is a deep dive into all of these techniques and so many more. The Spring 2024 session is currently fullnand the waiting list is open for Fall 2024!