Monday, March 07, 2016

Mixed Media

Mixed media is the newest trend in the scrapbooking, paper arts community, whether you are into art journaling or simply want to incorporate art media on a traditional scrapbook page this latest trend is just plain messy fun.

The definition of mixed media is

pl.n. (used with a sing. verb)

  1. A technique involving the use of two or more artistic media, such as ink and pastel or painting and collage that are combined in a single composition.
     
  2. The combined use of media, such as television, radio, print, and the Internet, as for advertising or publicity.

 

Mixed media projects are created in layers and sometimes it’s hard to know just when to stop. Typically we love the first layer then dislike the second, but it always looks great at the end. It’s amazing what some stamping or stencilling can achieve. When in doubt what you need to consider is; will the next step enhance or detract from the current stage. Don't fall into the trap of cluttering up a page simply because you've got something you'd like to use; save it for another piece. It should be about what’s best for the composition not about using up your stash.

Mixing mediums uses the properties of each individual media so they work together. Mediums should enhance each another giving you a result above what you could achieve using a single medium.

There are a myriad of products out there to create a mixed media project with: paints, crayons, pencils, pens, mediums, paper, embellishments, found items, fabric, string, ribbons etc. the list is endless. As is the list of surfaces which you can create on: journals, paper pads, canvas, wood, metal, fabric and glass. Almost any object can be ‘altered’ to create art. 

Over the next few months I will explore some of the mediums and techniques as well as share some projects.  

Have a happy messy day
cheers H

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