Mixed Media Artist

Perhaps you feel that there is no need for instruction in mixed media. It’s something that just comes naturally to you. Or on the other hand, maybe you’re just beginning to explore assemblage, altered books and other constructions, and you need a gentle nudge to get you going. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, there are instructions and projects in the links below that will challenge you to move beyond what you are currently doing. I guarantee it! Suze Weinberg’s Tutorials Her tagline is “Schmooze with Suze”, and her instructions are clear and friendly. USArtQuest Wonderful ideas and tips from collage artist Susan Pickering Rothamel. International Society of Altered Book Artists Online classes available to members of ISABA. Mini-Books, Flaps, and Folders Links to sites that provide how-tos on constructing handmade. HeartsArt Tool Box Some of the master artists from HeartsArt radio show provide information on mixed media techniques. Ann Baldwin’s Technique

Over in the Mixed Media forum of WetCanvas , our friend Sonia showed us a great tutorial on using gouache as a resist for India Ink. She works in watercolors, and the ink gave her piece a lovely "pop" that we all wanted to learn to do. Well, I don't work with either watercolors or gouache very often, so I decided to try changing the method slightly so that I could at least give it a go with what I've got. I don't paint like Sonia does either (I'd be embarrassed to even show you a simple house and a tree), so I stuck with geometrics. I'm even slightly challenged with them as you'll see! Here's what I did: I used student grade oil pastels and rubbed them into my surface is a sort of spotty manner, so that the diamonds weren't completely solid. It made a very bright - and unattractive - pattern. Then I sponged black India Ink all over it. The pastels act as a resist, but because I didn't apply them really heavily, the ink soaked into a

Another topic we visit pretty frequently here is different digital effects tips and tutorials (including those that mix physical and digital work). So I thought that they should get compiled for future reference too! You'll always be able to find the link in the sidebar under The Basics . Transparent digital backgrounds A photographic collage Gaussian blur Adding an embossed layer to your photos Digital collage using scanned background papers Multiplying your color options Encased tissue paper Using a gradient fill Creating a digital mixed media collage How to create a peaceful landscape Making a digital stamp How to digitally create "fuzzy memories" How to make a digital Polaroid image transfer Infrared with Photoshop Cyanotypes with Photoshop "Match color" in Photoshop Black and white conversion methods with Photoshop Pop art with Photoshop Making a layered digital collage Mixing digital and physical art Digital manipulation with a torn l

This is a fun way to finish off some of your experimental pieces that you create in Photoshop. I love this particular border for expressionistic, impressionistic, or surreal pieces, or for anything that doesn't use a lot of hard edges. This method allows the border to blur and glow, while keeping the central image as sharp as you want it. 1. Open your completed image in Photoshop. 2. Make 2 duplicate layer copies of the image. 3. Add a canvas border to the background copy, using the color picker tool to find a color that looks good with the piece. Duplicate this layer, keeping this copy below the two other duplicates. Lock your original layer and work from now on with the other three layers. 4. Pick the middle layer. Apply the motion blur filter (Filter > Blur > Motion Blur) to the image. I used 50 for the angle and 150 pixels. Experiment to find the size that suits you best. 5. Pick the bottom layer. Apply the motion blur filter to this one too, but use a different an

Heritage Photos – Learn Something New Every Day Do you know how to scan an old newspaper photo without all those pesky little ink dots being visible. Eileen just happened upon the key. Upcycle a used shirt with crocheted flowers Have you ever passed up on buying a great shirt at a second hand store because it had a logo from someone else's company? Well, now you CAN upcycle that shirt and make it uniquely your own! Here's a tutorial on how to crochet simple flowers to cover up an unwanted logo. Hope is the thing with feathers Read about my daughter's senior art show, the installation piece that she made, and the cause it supports! The video below is grainy because unfortunately my camera was set to compact mode. Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

We've explored lots and lots of fun collage techniques over the years. I figured it was past time to compile some of the methods. This post doesn't include all the techniques like image transfers and making background papers ...those posts have been compiled elsewhere! I'll be adding links to this list as new tutorials are posted, and you will always be able to find the link handy in the sidebar under The Basics . A photographic collage Paper quilting Collage embellished with embroidery Paper clay collage Frottage collage Digital collage with scanned background Encased collage Small art quilt with fish Digital mixed media collage Simple collage with an image transfer Packing tape transfer collage Monochromatic art quilt Mixed media collage with embroidery A geometric collage An organic collage A layered digital collage Abstract collages Waxed paper transfer collage More on abstract collages Mixed media piece with watercolor background Fabric c

My daughter Dani had her senior gallery show yesterday. Instead of creating multiple pieces for this one, the project was one big installation: a 20 ft pair of gently flapping wings. The piece was to benefit the non-profit organization Not For Sale , an group working to end the enslavement of people worldwide, including here in the USA. Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals