mixed media paint development

MIXED MEDIA PAINT DEVELOPMENT

This post is a step by step process of how I developed my second and final idea. Using key inspiration from Jeane Myers, Karen goetzinger, Cody hooper, Debbie smyth and Valery. 

For this whole post you'll need various pieces of equipment. Acrylic paint, thread, glue gun, scrap material, cardboard, ply wood, sand paper, tissue paper, polly filler, sand, flour, gel medium, primer, plaster, pins and threads and a palette knife.

My first method is experimenting with mediums within the paint. 

1- First you need to cut out your cardboard samples, I used 6 different samples. Then go get your paint and mediums which will be the primer, gel medium, flour, polly filler, sand and plaster. 

2- Now you can apply the paint with the medium to each different sample. I used a scrap piece of cardboard to mix each medium with the paint before I applied it to my sample. I also used different colours. 

3- For the application of the paint I used a palette knife and mixed the mediums with it. Used each medium for a different piece of cardboard. When applying the paint there is no definite method. I applied the paint smoothly then lifted it slightly to create soft peaks. It can also be used to create direction and sharp lines, to do this you put the paint on the edge and spread it across almost like plastering a wall. 

4- play around with the palette knife and mediums until you're happy you've got the basic understanding of how it works. 

5- After that clean up your palette knife and clean your areas and let your samples dry ( you can also experiment with the heat gun and see what effects that produces with wet paint.) 

My next method is adding in other materials under the surface of the paint. 

1- First you need to gather your materials again, acrylic paint, tissue paper, glue gun, sand paper, and cardboard.

2- Now cut up your cardboard you'll need 4 pieces. 

3- For the first piece I stuck down tissue paper in loose crumples. I used pva to stick it down, once that's done you can use paper since its a different texture. After the tissue paper you can use scrap materials such as shredded paper. 

4- For the second one I again used tissue paper as well as a glue gun. I applied the tissue paper in the same way as before, as for the hot glue gun I I used loose lines followed by a big bulk of it. 

5- For the third one I ripped back into the card board, leaving the corrugated layers. I also ripped up sections of sand paper and stuck them down along with thread. 

6- Then moving on to my last sample I used the loose scraps of cardboard paper and stuck them down to the cardboard creating soft peaks. I also ripped back into the cardboard, tearing in different directions. 

7- Once that's down I used acrylic paint and just painted over the top.

8- Then tidy up your area don't forget to let the glue gun cool down. 

For my next method I focused on combining each elements that worked together. 

1- Gather your materials which will be cardboard, acrylic paint (red, blue, green, yellow, silver, black, white 

 palette knife, polly filler, flour and thread.

2- You'll need 3 cardboard sample boards. Then like method one you need to mix up the mediums which is flour and polly filler. Remember too much flour and the paint becomes like cement, and too much filler you loose the colour. 

3- Then you need to rip into the cardboard up the top corners and at the bottom then using the thread create a divide between the middle. 

4- Then using the polly filler with blue acrylic make soft peaks heading towards the thread, think tidal waves. Then for the flour add that and place it smoothly with the palette knife to create a textured surface this should be towards the top of the board. Then on the other side just use paint by itself to create a contrast in texture. Then using the silver paint spread it over the thread to create a divide. 

5- Do this 2-3 times till you get your desired result a balance between texture and colour. 

Method for surface material experiment.

1-  For this you’ll need to cut up 5 pieces of plywood, they are just sample pieces so don’t make them too big. Again you’ll need acrylic paint, polly filler, flour, palette knife and thread.

2-    For each sample piece you apply a different material, start of with the polly filler. Mix this in with acrylic paint and apply it to the wood. Don’t be shy when applying it you need to see it reacts with the material so make harsh strokes as well as smooth.

3-    After that you can move onto the next material you should have one for just acrylic paint, flour, polly filler, thread, the last one should be a combination of both flour and thread.

4-    For the last one you need to stick down the thread then paint over one side with normal acrylic and on the other apply the mixture of flour and paint.

5-    You can than do one with cardboard although this is pretty similar to the previous experiment where you rip back into the cardboard then apply the paint.

6-    Once you’re done leave to dry and clean up your area.

The next method is ripping back into the surface of the material like Jeane Myers.

1-    For this experiment you’ll need 4 cardboard sample pieces. Not too big but not too small about 15cmx15cm. You’ll also need a craft knife, acrylic paint, polly filler, flour and thread.

2-    Then take each material and apply it to a separate sample panel like the previous method.  Steps 2-3.

3-    Then while the paints still wet, take your craft knife and begin cutting into the samples in various directions. Alternate between soft and sharp cuts.

4-    Once you’re happy with your sample pieces you can add it to a bigger version of method 1. ( to make a sample for this copy steps from method three) Then you can cut back into that. For me I varied between diagonal and horizontal cuts on both sides of the paint.

This method is influenced by Debbie Smyth it’s about pinning onto the surface of paint using pins and thread.

1-    For this you’ll need acrylic paint, flour, polly filler, two cardboard samples, pins and thread.

2-    First you need to recreate each half of the outcome, for the first half all you need is paint, using a palette knife (for this use steps for method three) once that’s done leave to dry.

3-    Then move onto the other half this involves polly filler and flour. (refer back to method three for this)

4-    Once both samples are dry you can begin to draw out each image to pin. For the first half its arches. Refer back to your images from the cathedral. The other half is a simple drawing of a coffee cup in the lower right corner.

5-    After they’ve been drew out you can begin to firmly place pins along the main line and curves. Work from the inside out.

6-    Once that’s done you can apply the thread. Tie it around one pin and being to weave it through and around the other pins like a dot to dot.

7-    After you’ve produced the main lines you can tie it off again. Don’t forget to cut off excess thread to neaten it up.

8-    Put it in a safe place as its too big for your sketchbook but remember to take pictures of it before hand. Now you can tidy up your area.

9-    For development you can try this on one whole piece.

The last method is sizing and combining all these methods to produce an outline of my purposed outcome.

1-    There is not much I can instruct you on here because the method behind this is basically it’s combining each of the previous methods onto one larger panel then figuring out the ideal scale.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

·      When using the plaster be careful not to inhale it or put it in your mouth, as it can be dangerous.  Wear a protective mask.

·      Avoid putting the polly filler, flour, primer and gel medium in your mouth, don’t eat around this equipment either.

·      With a cutting knife use a cutting map, always retract the blade once finished with. Store it in a safe place out of reach of children.

·      For the flour be careful to not create a dust cloud as it can be harmful for your lungs. To minimise this close up the packets once finished with and wipe down any surfaces with a damp sponge.

·      Wash your hands after using sand especially if you’re going to eat.

·      Wear protective clothing when using acrylic paint.

·      Don’t run with scissors.

·      For the cardboard be careful when ripping it. Rip away from yourself.

·      Work in a well ventilated room.

·      Always clean up after yourself.

Plaster health and safety.

• ·      Plaster can be irritating to the eyes as well as skin but this is very unlikely to happen if its only brief contact.  To be safe you should always wash your hands after using plaster as well as avoid touching your face.
• ·      When the plaster is mixed with water it gradually becomes hot so avoid touching the mixture while its setting.
• ·      When making moulds always use a barrier around them to avoid spilling the plaster.  You should also be supervised to avoid any miss measurements or accidents.
• ·      When mixing the plaster or clearing away dry fragments wear eye protection to avoid getting any splinters in your eyes.
• ·      If anything gets in your eyes wash it out immediately using warm water.
• ·      When dealing with dry powder wear a protective mask to avoid inhaling.