Mixed Media Lesson

Layers of Life – Sherrie Giroux 2013, Mixed Media

I have said many times that Pinterest is one of my biggest inspirations when I get itchy to create.  I found an inspiration on one of my 2 hr marathon at Pinterest, but it was worth it because I came away knowing exactly what I wanted to create. I wanted to work with the layers – just like the different layers and the different directions we all take in our own lives.  I thought about what I wanted to use in my interpretation and decided on the following:

Canvas:    I used 14 inches x 8 inches

Brushes:  I used smaller brushes, I used foam brushed, but there are no rules

Wood Stain:    washable wood stain, I choose two different browns

Lots of white tissue paper

Gold Paint, Black Paint -   you can use what you wish, I would keep it washable paint.

Scraps of textures:   corrugated cardboard, wool, felt, etc.

Mod Podg:e            I must confess, I never buy the stuff I always make my own. So easy, So

                               Cheap.  I mix mine up in a big batch and just put a lid on it and it will 

                                last you quite awhile.  If it gets thick just add more water.

Mixture:                                              1 part white glue

                                                            2 parts water

                                                           

Okay Let’s Begin

Space and Ventilation is needed for this project.  First layout your board and decided how you want you template to look.  I choose 6 equal spaces measuring approx. 11.5 x 7.5  I used a vey dark pencil and marked them in.

Step One

Prepare you canvas.  Using your tissue paper cut out you squares Separately and glue on each square.

*Tips*

Cutting out your squares individually and a little smaller allows you to create depth in your painting, because you will have room to shadow your lines between your squares. This willhelp not make your painting flat and will give it depth.

Scrunch your paper squares up first before you apply your glue, this also gives not only depth, but texture to work with.

Step Two

Set up your wood stain paint.  I kept it simple I choose to use only two colours.

Step Three

Take one rectangle at a time and play with your stain, using your brush to create texture and colour. Don't go into this with limitations. Enjoy the process of seeing what you can create rather than just dictating where the process is going, let it the process and joy take you there.

Step Four

After you have painted a bit of the tissue paper you get an idea of what you can create. Now I want to introduce a new texture, guess what I am using Paper Towel!  Check it out below.

Step Five

I liked the texture of the paper towel and it's thickness. After applying the black and gold paint to it I was pleasantly surprised. Once all my corners were painted I went around my apartment looking for more inspirations.  

I liked the gold paint I already used so when I found this white tissue with gold stars on it, I grabbed it.  I also found bits of left over material in my box of scape material. It can be anything you fancy.  Think texture, colour.  When I lay a scrape of tissue paper over the material scrapes it will give it more depth once apply it on with my white glue mixture.  Again I suggest doing one rectangle at a time.  Just use your white glue to glue down all mixed media one at a time, either just gluing them on or using you tissue paper to knock it back a bit and give it more depth .

*Tip*  You can use a hair drier or a heating gun to speed up the process, but a word of caution, Be Very Very Careful because you can dry it too fast and it will crack and/or discolour your painting.

Step Six

It is hard for any artist to know when to stop, but I can tell you my secret.  Step back from your painting often, just to look at the picture and feel of the painting.  Is it too dark or light. Don't panic, live with it for a day. Go back fresh the next day and change it up. Also, don't forget most of the time they are no accidents, just happy mistakes.

I ended up using a clear varathane all over the top, which gave my painting a darker richer colour overall, I love it!!

Now I realize this small tutorial is not going to make you an artist, but it will show how to have fun and work with mixed media.  Please feel free to drop me a comment or email me with any questions you may have.

Now can I show where it resides till I sell it, yes I do sell my artwork from time to time. If interested please check out my Shop.