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Eureka - a mixed media painting tutorial

Eureka
Cyndi Lavin, 2017

Prints for sale

I wanted to try another brightly colored painting similar to Breaking Free from a few weeks ago.  This time, instead of the batik technique for a background, I decided to use a rubbing alcohol technique.  It only works well on water-diluted acrylics, so save your glazing medium for another time!



1. I used three layers of paint, each one splashed or flicked with alcohol while still wet: Quinacridone magenta, then Hansa yellow light, and finally a muddy mix of Quinacridone magenta, Interference gold, and Iridescent gold.  As a final touch, I spritzed the whole thing with additional Quinacridone magenta.  The entire piece was covered with a coat of gloss medium.  When it was dry, I added the paper and tape masks. 



2. I used a small foam roller with Titan buff mixed with a bit of gloss medium.  




3. When that layer was dry and the masks were removed, I mixed Cobalt turquoise and white gesso with a little water, and used an applicator bottle to draw it on.  I used a razor blade to apply black ink lines, and misted them lightly where needed to encourage some bloom.  



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Copyright 2017 Cyndi Lavin. All rights reserved. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. The tutorial only may be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.

Comments

Robbie said…
I love this piece!!!! The border is amazing and really sets off the squares....black is great addition. Thanks for tutorial!!!!
Cyndi L said…
Thank you, Robbie! I'm trying to get out of my more somber mood with COLOR!! LOL!