Hello! I usually work in pairs when creating art on paper and this project was no exception. I like to purchase works in pairs but this also hedges your bet of one work hopefully being a success.
What you will need:
Diamond Stencil from the Pattern 8 Pack
Thatched Texture Stencil
Small Damask Stencil
Matte Acrylic Paints in Neutrals
Stabilio Black Pencil
Graphite Pencil
Watercolor Pencil (Ochre)
Water Soluble and Soft Pastels
White Posca Pen
Spray Paint (Black)
Paint Brush
Glue Stick and Gel Medium
Collage Papers and Found Words
Step 1: Mark Making
I began by taping off 2 pieces of 12” x 12” Strathmore Mixed Media Paper to a board.
I used a Stabilio black pencil to make some marks as well as a mechanical pencil. Wet a brush and and touch this to the Stabilio on the papers to start creating some energy and covering up the white of the paper. Charcoal or Graphite works well also.
Step 2: Continue Developing your Background
Add some water activated pastels, charcoal, or water soluble pencils or crayons. Reestablish Black Stabilio over marks that you like. I used the Diamond Stencil from the Pattern 8 Pack and rubbed pastel right through the stencil with pink pastel and ended up reestablishing this pattern in later layers.
I selected 5 matte acrylics in Chalk, Antarctic, Buff, Seaglass and Koala and blended with both a brush and a brayer. I made marks in the wet paint with a skewer and added some other colors of pastel and marks with an ochre watercolor pencil.
Step 3: Auditioning your Collage Elements
Select some collage elements that are speaking to you. Painted Papers, vintage papers, book pages, fortune cookies etc…
Step 4: integrate the Collage
Elements with Stenciling
I reinforced the Diamond Stencil marks with Pink Pastel over the collage elements and sprayed Fixative to secure the pigment on both works.
Using a darker contrast Blue Gray Paint, dry sponge matte paint through the Thatched Stencil on both papers.
Step 5: Final Stencil and Marks
I placed the Small Damask Stencil at the bottom of one of the papers and the top of the other paper so they would align if stacked and sprayed black matte paint through the stencil after protecting the other parts of the media with paper towel.
A few additional marks and color notes along with adhering some found words as a title and you have 2 finished Mixed Media Works on Paper ready to hang!
Hope you enjoyed!
Tracy Hickman
@anonymous.palette