Journal Spilling: Mixed-Media Techniques for Free Expression
At its core, Journal Spilling is about incorporating journaling and art making into daily life, all the while encouraging a carefree, non-judgmental approach. In addition to step-by-step instruction for getting started in 25 media techniques (watercolor, resist, ink, transfers and more!), you will be guided through exercises to help with writing. The exercises are broken down into accessible parts that can be undertaken in small bits of time and are open-ended, encouraging various paths for journaling. Let go of complete control and trust the journaling process!
Welcome to those new to the art form of Mixed Media and also to those who have already started your journey and are looking for ideas and inspiration. We aim to cater for all levels of experience here.
We cover a multitude of Mixed Media Art topics:
- Mixed Media Techniques
- Mixed Media Collage
- Mixed Media Painting
- Altered Art
- Altered Books
Across the top, you can find the Projects shortcut, some Terms and Definitions and Hints and Tips.
To the left, you can find the Topics.
Have a look around and feed your inner muse – you never know when inspiration will hit.
The term “mixed media art” is a broad definition that covers many arts and crafts, including collage, assemblage (both 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional), altered objects, including books and boxes, handmade greeting cards, artist trading cards (ATCs) and tags, art journalling and book making.
Hanging Art
The “mixed media” used includes paints, papers and board of all descriptions, glues, buttons, fabrics, found objects, photos, metal bits, fibres, things from nature, inks, pencils, crayons, markers, pastels and polymer clays, to name a few.
How long has Mixed Media Art been around?
There is no definitive answer as to how long Mixed Media Art has been around, but we do know that many different forms of art have been around for as long as there has been people to create it.
The term “mixed media art” is a newer term used to describe the vast variety of techniques and mediums that are around. And while the internet didn’t create these new art forms, it has certainly allowed many to share their work that would not have been otherwise possible.
What materials do I need to get started?
The beauty of mixed media art is the flexibility to start with things around you and expend from there. To get started you need a substrate or base. This could be a clean sheet of paper, sketchbook, a cereal box or anything else that may be sitting still. Then, if you are heading down the collage path, you’ll need something to stick with (glue sticks are fine to begin with) and something to stick on (coloured papers, newspapers, catalogues, and anything else that grabs you).
If you are heading down the drawing / painting path, then once you have your substrate, you’ll need something to make a mark, whether its pencils, paints, crayons, markers or pastels.
Any or all of these are all you need to get started. Just use the things you have around you
What skills do I need to get started?
Another attractive feature of Mixed Media Art is that you don’t need fine art or drawing skills. That doesn’t mean you are excluded from mixed media art if you do have these skills, but it opens up a world of creativity for the rest of us who like to make things but “Can’t draw”.
The skills you need to get started are as simple as being able to use a pencil, scissors and glue. These skills will expand and develop with practice, depending on which “branch” you follow. More complicated skills of mixing paints and developing your “artist eye” will happen as you expand your own creativity. Specific skills for particular media or art types will present themselves as you move into these areas. As with many things in life, the techniques and teachers will appear when you are ready.
Shona shows us how to incorporate our creativity into our busy lives. It all begins with thinking about your vision, setting goals, breaking them into steps and setting up a dedicated space for creating. The instructions are well laid out and easy to understand, with accompanying photos. The 12-week art course is great and will help even the most time-challenged mother get started.
For artist just starting out, Shona reminds us it is important to follow step-by-step instructions to begin with, then you can branch out with your own ideas. The short stories about other artist mothers that are spread through the book are inspiring and remind us that we can fit creativity into our lives.
We hope you have as much fun with this background technique as we did.
Your feedback is needed to help us improve these technique sheets; do they need more photos? Bigger photos? More writing and description? Less writing?
We would also love to see your work – the backgrounds you have created with this technique and the work you have made using the background sheet as a starting point. Leave a comment below and a link to your blog, showing us your artwork. Please make sure you point us to your post with the artwork, not just your blog in general.
