Blending Abstract

A Beginner's Guide to Mixed Media Tools and Art Play

“What happens if I do this?” There is a certain kind of magic that happens when we embrace that way of thinking while we create; trying out new things and ways to use them solo or mixed(media) with other tools.

In the spring of 2020, I embarked on my fourth year of The 100 Day Project. I chose to create messy abstracts on paper and decided to use a lot of my supplies. I wanted to experiment and find new ways of using them.

I ended up using soft pastels with water, which is so not the traditional way of using them. I became familiar with pastels years ago, but quickly rejected the powdery mess they left on my fingers.

What fun it was...they are like a chalky watercolor. Instant coffee, crayons, pencils, gesso and watercolor joined the art party and I was off and running.

Curious minds began asking me about how I was using the pastels. “You can use them with water?” they asked. Yep and there isn’t a mess!!

More questions poured in about how I was creating my messy paper paintings and what I was doing with them.

Say hello to Blending Abstract!

A beginner’s course for learning how to use different tools and mediums, blending them together into colorful and messy abstracts!

This is a bit of a departure and change from what I normally teach, but sometimes getting back to basics is necessary!

Join me in learning how to put your supplies together to create your own unique expression of mixed media.

$49

Course Focus

•This course is for beginners
•Swatching soft pastel brands
•Review of soft pastels, crayons, pencils, oil pastels and watercolors for mixed media
•Using soft pastels in a variety of ways with water
•How to mix a variety of mediums into an abstract painting on paper
•How to mount paper art to canvas panels
•Scanning your artwork
•Art journaling ideas with your artwork and step-by-step process
•Review and testing of fixatives

$49

Materials and Supplies:

This course covers a variety of art supplies and tools that I have in my stash. I will be showing and using many, but you don’t need all of them. Inside the classroom, I will provide a detailed list with sources of as many of the items I use for those who wish to explore the specific ones I use.

Sketchbook paper
White gesso
Paint brushes
Soft pastels
Crayons
Pencils - I like using water soluble
Oil Pastels*
Black acrylic paint
Deli paper
Watercolors
Pastel spray fixative

Bonus Project - Mounting Art to Canvas Panel
Soft Gel Gloss
Iron
Parchment Paper
Canva Panel - I used 5x7
Wrapped Canvas - I used 4x6
Exacto Knife
Cutting Mat

Bonus Projects - Art Journal Pages

Glue stick
Your favorite journal
Collage fodder

*Optional