Layers Upon Layers: Mixed Media Art

Guest tutorial by Chris Tessnear: Watercolor and mixed media background technique

by Cyndi on January 24th, 2008

Cards by Chris Tessnear, all using one theme

Chris Tessnear
Creative Inspirations blog
Read Chris Tessnear’s artist profile

1. Choose an old watercolor painting you know longer wish to keep.

2. Cover with Gesso (an acrylic prep medium). Run a texture comb or plastic fork through the wet Gesso in various patterns. Dry thoroughly.

3. Paint over the textured Gesso with various watercolors. Use at least 2 colors that work well together. No more than three is recommended. You don’t want a muddy color. Dry again.

4. Stamp with a color similar to the paints used. Dry thoroughly again.

5. Stamp with the same or similar themed stamp using Gesso as you stamp ink. (Spread a thin coat of Gesso on a palette and press stamp into it just like a stamp pad and press on surface. Clean stamp thoroughly with a damp toothbrush when you are finished to protect your stamp surface.

6. Dry the sheet completely and use like you would any other decorative paper. Punch, cut, layer and make collages and backgrounds for collages. The images will be original and exclusively yours.

7. Here is a simple completed greeting card with pieces of the decorated paper.

8. This idea works with any media you are already using, acrylics, inks, paste paints, collage, etc. Have fun and don’t try to have any preconceived ideas.

Copyright 2008 Chris Tessnear. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. Chris Tessnear may be reach at Cqt144w @ mindspring.com

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POSTED IN: Artist Profiles, Mixed Media, Paper, Tutorials & Techniques