A recent studio visit from a client looking to purchase a new painting for her home led to the question ‘What actually is mixed media?’ As most of my paintings are created using ‘mixed media’ I thought I should explain my process and the media I use.
I always begin by covering my canvas or paper with a layer of white gesso. This gives a better adhesion to the substrate and then I cover with a layer of random acrylic paint splashes and marks to connect and loosen up. I ponder what I have done and then use either black charcoal or pastels to outline my ideas and discoveries and write words or poetry which seem relevant in that moment.
The next phase might be to add words from a novel or some other type of collage to create textures and a little more depth and texture pastes might also be added at this stage. Once dry I move on to finding the girl/s hidden within. I don’t use photographs, only my imagination and it is very exciting to see who comes through.
I use a fixative to spray the charcoal or pastel and then begin painting not always using the traditional paintbrush. This was painted with a kitchen tool and brush as this was all I had to hand and the time !
Finally I complete the work with oil paint and glazes over the top of the acrylic. This gives a luminosity to the painting which I love.
And finally, when the painting is dry it is varnished with 2 coats of varnish. The mixed media aspect of this painting included acrylic, charcoal, textures, oil paint and glazes but if a painting has more than one media it becomes mixed media and this can include absolutely anything. I have been known to use real petals and butterfly wings to create another dimension to my work.
Finished off with a lovely frame, this painting is titled ‘In Violet Heaven’ and is available for sale. Get in touch if you are interested or visit my website to see more of my mixed media beauties.
Thanks for reading and as always I love to hear your feedback.
Love Steffi xx
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