Mixed Media Painting and Playing

Today, I am excited to share one of my favorite ways to relax and get back into my zone of creativity and inspiration.

One of the best ways for me to get back in my creative space is to take some of my favorite art materials and simply create, without expectation and pressure. When I feel stressed and overwhelmed, this is one of my favorite things to do. Even when I am not finding ideas for what to create in my surface design business, creating mixed media art is one of the best things I can do to play and feel reenergized and filled with excitement to create again.

Let’s create some abstract mixed-media paintings and have some fun.

Gather your materials to play and create a lovely mixed-media art painting:

You can use anything you have on hand. That is the best part of mixed media art creation. You can use anything you want to use at the moment. I am recommending some tools below so you can create something similar, but the goal is to play, relax, and enjoy the process and the joy it brings. I recommend some of my favorite tools and materials below. However, if you are starting, student grade materials are a perfect way to start.

Below are just some ideas to start building a set of painting materials. As you practice and learn what you like, I am sure you will build a lovely collection of your favorite paints, brushes, and tools to use in your painting practice.

• Watercolor Set – I use both the pans and the tube
• Acrylic Paint Markers – Posca Markers – I use the Posca markers, but there are so many great options
• Acrylic Paint – I like the craft paint because it is thin consistency, but you can use heavy body consistency as well.
• Gouache Paint – I have various brands but one of my favorites is the Winsor and Newton Designer’s Gouache
• Paint Brushes
• Watercolor Paper
• Pencil and Eraser – the kneaded eraser is perfect because I can make small tips to erase small areas and do not have to clean any shavings after erasing.
• Palette
• Clip Board
• Tape

How to paint mixed media art

First, make sure you have a clean space and watercolor paper. I recommend using the 140 lb watercolor paper. Mixed media paper is also great, and if you are using an art sketchbook or journal, that is perfect as well. The goal is to have fun and create a beautiful work of art. If you are using watercolor paper, I do recommend that you tape it to the surface to minimize buckling, but as you can see in the picture,s I did not do this and the paper stayed fairly flat.

You can use any paper size you have available. In this case, I am using a 9×12 inch watercolor paper, which I normally use for studies and general practice, and trying new paints.

You can sketch some ideas with a light pencil, or you can just paint with me.

First, select a color palette that you plan to use. I decided to go with some indigo and cream to start.

I created some circles and a rectangle while the watercolor paint was wet, slightly touching each other. This creates lovely blooms that take their own form and an intricate design, lovely to look at.

While the paint is still wet, add some more geometric elements using a lovely color. In this case, I used a beautiful turquoise color.

Wait until the watercolor is fully dry, and then use a paint marker to add lines and texture to your liking.

While the watercolor paint is drying, I like to keep working and create a few more pieces.

Try having at least two or three pieces of art going so that while you are waiting for one to dry, you can work on another piece. This is great for creating a lovely collection.

The goal is to make marks and combine colors, to see what you like and how the colors blend. Add splatters and texture lines with ink pens or markers.

Once you have completed the painting, allow it to fully dry.

You can frame the paintings and use them for home decor or as a lovely gift to friends and family.

These painting will make great thank you cards, note cards, and lovely art prints for the family. I share how to scan and digitize your art for products in this short tutorial.

I decided to scan the artwork and create a few greeting cards for Father’s Day. You can find some of my cards available at my shop at Greeting Card Universe.

I hope you enjoyed painting and playing with this easy mixed-media art project.