Explorations in Mixed Media, a 4 Day Workshop at the Topeka Art Guild

I am thrilled to be teaching a 4 day mixed media workshop for the Topeka Art Guild in March.  Each day will build on the one before until we have learned all of my most used techniques in making mixed media artwork.  All 4 days are only $200 for members, or $230 for non members.

This series of eight sessions is a journey through some of my favorite mixed media products, tools, and techniques.  We will travel through those in this four day workshop, culminating with pulling it all together in a final project on day 4.  I am a firm believer that everyone possesses a creative element somewhere within them, and therefore the process of art should be accessible to all.  Both the beginner and advanced artist are welcome.

Here is an outline of what will be covered each day:

1.   Day 1- getting started with mixed media

AM – PAINTED PAPERS and MARK MAKING TOOLS – we will learn some mixed media techniques while creating stamps and papers to use in our art  making through the week.

Products – acrylic paint, stabilo pencil, water soluble crayons, oil pastels

Tools – printing plate alternatives, craft foam, handmade and found tools

Techniques – mark making, mono printing, simple stamp making, using found papers, adding texture

Project – painted papers and mark making stamps to reuse

PM -GUIDED LAYERS (musical easels adapted) Our first art project will use our fun papers and tools made in the morning session, and is a fun introduction to mixed media.  It will introduce some of the essential techniques that will be necessary for the week.  We will also complete a quick still life .

Products – acrylic paint, matte gel medium, gesso,

Tools – bondo spreader,

Techniques – layering, using found and purchased stencils, letting go, working quickly, adding texture

Project – 11 x 14 still life

2.   DAY 2 Citra Solv

Citra Solv is one of my favorite mixed media products.  It is a concentrated cleaner that dissolves the ink on National Geographic magazine pages.

AM – Citra Solv boot camp

Products – Citra Solv, alcohol ink, alcohol, alcohol blending solution, F. W. Acrylic ink,

Tools – stencils, cotton swabs, skewer

Techniques – altered magazine pages, manipulating the effect, image transfer, embossing,

Project – many altered pages for further use through the week, as well as some “CitraArt”

PM – Citra Solv advanced

Products – Citra Solv, NationalGeographic magazines, matte gel medium, Derwent Inktense pencils, Acrylic glazing medium

Tools – Saran Wrap, stencils,

Techniques – Citra Solv backgrounds, painting with paper

Project – a finished 11 x 14 mixed media artwork using  Citra Solv altered papers.

Day 3 – mix it up

AM – Mix it up

Products – watercolor, acrylic, airbrush medium, YUPO paper, masking fluid, alcohol, ink, blending solution, workable fixative, sea salt, and more!

Tools – pipette, straw, fineline dispenser

Techniques – resists, making your own high flow paint, adding marks, mounting paper on board

Project – an 11 x 14 sheet of highly layered special effects Yupo paper

PM – Reverse Painting – using the sheet painted in the morning session as the base for a reverse painted finished piece.

Products – gesso, acrylic paint, Derwent Inktense, stabilo pencil

Tools- stencils, mark making tools

Techniques – simplifying shapes to silhouette, mark making, adding texture

Project – an 11 x 14 panel

Day 4 – bring it all together – from conception to completion!

AM – From conception toward completion.

Products – All of the above!

Tools – All of the above!

Techniques – layering, mark making, painting with paper, reverse painting, adding whimsy, how it all ties together

Project -Use what we have learned to create a background and additional tips on adding whimsy to the subject matter.

16 x 20 surface

PM – Finishing Touches

Products – “special” embellishments, ink, glazing, glass bead gel

Tools – pens and dip pens

Techniques – glazing, adding whimsy, adding detail, sign and coat

Project – finish 16 x 20 started in am