2024 Workshop 1
The Beauty and Power of Mixed Media
Started March 4th, 2024
Abraham Maslow wrote in 1966, “If the only tool you have is a hammer, it is tempting to treat everything as if it were a nail.” An alluring realistic drawing must harmonize multiple visual elements, each demanding a small challenge to be solved on paper. Using a single medium can be limiting, but diversify your toolbox and you have a powerful array of options to draw your subjects, render them realistically, and give them texture and depth. This four-part workshop touches on the beauty and power of mixed media to create small, captivating works of art.
Started March 4th, 2024
Lesson 1: Stylized Jupiter/Planet: Anything But White Paper!
An introduction to mixed media on toned paper: let’s focus on the power of a good color palette and some satisfying application techniques! We’ll learn more about complimentary colors throughout this lesson as we layer a range of media types to complete a stylized planet drawing.
Started March 11th, 2024
Lesson 2: Art Nouveau Skeleton Key
Creating drawings that look 3D with 2D mixed media: This workshop is about layering and media application. We’ll start with simple geometries and templates, and navigate the various application techniques for each of the media we’ll be using.
Started March 18th, 2024
Lesson 3: Art Nouveau Patina Lock
Using mixed media for textured, lifelike drawings. Mixed Media artists typically work in deliberate layers. Picture the process like a funnel – larger, nebulous blocks of color first, refining down to smaller details. This approach reduces a seemingly daunting task into an enjoyable, progressive flow.
Started March 25th, 2024
Lesson 4: Twilight Lighthouse/Coastal Landscape
Using mixed media to create landscapes with depth and texture: don’t be afraid to experiment with your layering - dry media on dry, wet on dry, wet on wet. The larger the variety of media in your arsenal, the more ways to approach the challenge at hand.
Workshop 1 Supply List
Paper:
- Strathmore 400 Series Toned Mixed Media Paper (you can use Tan, Gray, or Blue - whichever resonates with you most), 9” x 12” size or larger
- Strathmore 400 Series Acrylic or Watercolor paper (I will be using the 400gsm Acrylic paper but Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor paper, 140lb/300gsm, will work also!) size 9” x 12” or larger
Paint and Drawing Materials:
- Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor pencils
- Lyra Rembrandt Aquarell Watercolor pencils
- Lyra Polycrayon Soft Dry Pastels
- Lyra Graduate Mark All pens
- Daler-Rowney Aquafine Watercolors
- Maimeri Polycolor fine vinyl/acrylic paints - I use the three primary colors red, yellow and blue plus white
Painting Accessories:
- Princeton Neptune or Velvetouch for watercolor and Catalyst Polytip brushes for acrylic in a range of sizes you are comfortable using. I am using a 1” Mottler, and Flat Shaders, Rounds, Filberts, and Angled brushes in a range in sizes 0 to 10. The most important thing is you are comfortable with the feel of the brush!
Other Accessories:
- Masking Tape or Washi Tape
- At least two water containers
- A cotton cloth or teatowel (brush care!)
- Conventional drawing supplies - i.e. erasers and sharpeners
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