2024 Workshop 1

The Beauty and Power of Mixed Media

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.

Lesson 1: Stylized Jupiter/Planet: Anything But White Paper!

Instructions

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.

Lesson 2: Art Nouveau Skeleton Key

Instructions

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.

Lesson 3: Art Nouveau Patina Lock

Instructions

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.

Lesson 4: Twilight Lighthouse/Coastal Landscape

Instructions

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!