Jumping into the world of mix media...

Lately, I have been wanting to try something different, and experiment with different textures and mediums in my work.  I have often looked at Lucy's works and Jill's mixed media works and admired them for their uniqueness, texture and arty quality.  So I took a trip down to my local art shop and invested in some Gesso, Soft Gel Medium, professional paintbrushes and a canvas.

I used the new Claudine Hellmuth paints, yep the one's that are $12.90 a pot,( a very small pot!!!), and I have to say I loved working with them.  I had a small heart attack when I first saw the size of them, but I painted the whole canvas with the paint that had attached itself onto the lid.  I never even dipped my paintbrush into the pot !!!!  They are highly pigmented so they go a long way, especially if you are aiming for this kind of watercolor effect, adding water to spread the paint evenly.

 

I then hopped over to Etsy to view some of the amazing collages, created by ridiculously talented artists and purchased some that appeals to me to play with.  Unlike a scrap layout, I was a novice and had no idea of where I was headed terrified of ruining a $15.00 canvas with paint effects that I didn't like. With scrapbooking you can place your paper and embellishments down, having the freedom to perfect the design before you adhere it to the base.  With a mixed media canvas its so totally different.  You have no idea how the painting is going to turn out, so its really going in blind !!!! I found its just a matter of repetition,  painting, watering down the paint, drying it off and adding more paint to please your own critique. 

Now, I would love to say that I was a natural artist and the process of mixed media was a given, but I was actually totally clueless as to where to start. (believe me I spent ages looking for some type of tutorial on the web).  The lovely Lucy offered the following suggestions which have since been modified to suit my creation.  I just wanted to share this very quick tutorial with anybody who wants to try a different genre, but just needs a little light to show the way.

One
Coat the canvas in gesso.  Alot of canvases come already pre-primed, but if they don't, gesso is a fantastic medium for priming your base ready to paint on.

Two
Play with paint.  Remember if you don't like the appearance of it you can water it down, add more color or play with extra black or white paint to lighten or darken its appearance.  Warning.  This is highly addictive.  Highly.  You will love the feel of the canvas bending to your paintbrush and moving with the paint.

Three
Mod Podge your collage words or images where you want.  You can add paint over the words  or images and add different textures like sand, beading or masking tape - well anything goes. The collage elements were cut out and adhered with Mod Podge.  Now that is a wonder product.  It can act as a adherent or a sealant.  Gotta love that.  The thin netting, scrim, sequins and other textures were all again applied with Mod Podge.  The brilliant thing is that it doesn't take long to dry.  I found a quick blast with the heat embossing tool quickly dried anything I had just stuck to the canvas.

Four
Play with texture.  Bubble wrap.  Foil with pre-punched holes in it.  Sand.  Sequins. 
The list is as long as your imagination lets it be.  Go for it.

Five
Once your have mucked around with the base and love the way it looks, just work out where you want your photo.  With "Pure" I picked the photo to suit the colors. Alot of scrapbookers pick their palettes from the photograph. You can do it either way.

Six
Frame your photo.  Textures are fantastic for framing your image.  They are so lush and add a dimensional feel to your canvas.  You can see all the guff I added to mine.  I'm loving the Prima Velvet Flowers lately, they are so decadent !!!

Basic Rule:  Layer Layer Layer.  You can never have enough layers.  "Pure" has about 8 layers.  This is NOTHING compared to some of the uber-creations I have seen out there in the big wide world !!!

I was so pleased with the result and the actual process is so much fun.  Its easy to get carried away pasting and creating, and adding more color.  Here is the final result.

Anyhow I hope you like it as much as I do.  I just wanted to share the process with the other clueless budding artists like me who had no idea where to start. Anyhow if you got this far, and read through the very rough tutorial I'm amazed.

Have a REALLY blessed week full of laughter and joy.

Comments

[Realestate]

With the new 2011. Year! Congratulations.

[school_dubl]

Happy New Year! Happiness and success in 2011.

[RamonGustav]

Congratulations! You have so much useful information, write more.

[Meredith]

This is sooo beautiful. Thanks for the tips. I have really been wanting to get into the mixed media art and just like you I haven't been able to find any tutorials. Again thanks for sharing.

[Fairyrocks]

Great Tutorial, I share your love for altered art!!!
Thanks for sharing, Claudine Helmuth ROCKS!!!

[Keely Yowler]

This is fabulous! I'll have to give it a try. TFS!

[Gayle martin]

This is beautiful, and your tutorial was right on target. I love this technique! Wish I were not going to work right now, it makes me want to create. Love the lucious colors of her paints.

Gayle

[Nenne]

Absolutely wonderful!! Thanks for the great tutorial and the inspiration!

I have promised a friend to make her a canvas with a photo of her wedding ring and bridal bouquet (amazing photo!) and wanted a way to make the beauty justice - you just gave me that way - thanks!

[Bethany]

What a great tutorial! I love your honest and comfy way of writing. Oh, and of course I love your style. :)

[leeann Pearce]

freak in Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mwah xx

[Julie Ann Shahin]

FABULOUS!!!! LOVE IT!!!!

[Cathy]

Beautiful! I'm inspired.

[Ann]

Thanks for the great tips!! Now you have inspired me to step outside of my comfort zone and give it a try!! :-)

[emeline]

I'm always inspired by your style ! :)

[Lisa]

Simply gorgeous! What a fantastic page and use of colour!

[wendela]

this is gorgeous!!!!

[Anabelle]

This is so amazing, Steph! I'm so glad you posted it!! I have a canvas sitting on my table and have been afraid to start. You've TOTALLY inspired me. I can't wait to get to work!!

[Wendy Kwok]

This is gorgeous! Love the texture and the colours!

[Manon]

wow gorgeous Steph!!!! I am so tempted too.... reading Kelly Rae her book atm and omg so gorgeous....

[lucy edson]

You are a true artist, Steph and hardly needed any of my instructions at all - LOL.

This canvas is absolutely gorgeous - so you - and lovely layering with the papers and paints!!

If you think the Claudine Helmuth paints are high wait until you start collecting Golden. OMG - I have a small fortune invested in that company. ;)

[Belinda]

This is just stunning, you should do more.

[Louise Williams]

ok so now you've totally got me inspired to give this a go... off to get messy!!

[Jing-Jing]

HUUUUUGE LOL on " I had a small heart attack when I first saw the size of them" That is just SOOOOOOOOO funny!! And I'm glad that you give your endorsement on the small pot, and your canvas looks amazing and really well pigmented, and nice to know you didn't even have to dip into the pot. So what's next? Collecting ALL of her paints?? I gotta find out the currency conversion to see just how pricey that stuff is for you.

[Kelly R]

WOW Steph! This turned out stunning, you clever girl!! I have always been too scared to tackle a canvas, but maybe one day ;o) Thanks for your tips!