Part of creating Mixed Media Art, whether its bringing together a mixed media painting, a collage or creating a background, is all about creating layers. Sometimes these layers flow; other times we need to stop and think to find alternatives that stretch our artistic ventures. Here we will explore a range of methods and techniques that can help in creating layers within your mixed media art.
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Adding depth with Ephemera
Adding pieces of paper and text to your mixed media layers is easy to do and adds depth and interest to the finished piece.
If you have ephemera you want to feature and show off, this isn’t the time to use it. We want to use simple text pages from old books, tear them into smaller pieces and glue them to the background. Any type of glue is fine; glue stick, PVA or gel medium will all work. Take care in smoothing down the pieces or else the wrinkles will show through (unless, of course, that is the effete you were after ~ it is mixed media art where anything goes ,after all!) Pay attention to the corners as it they are not stuck down properly, they tend to lift as the painting layers are added.
As we continue to add layers of paint and embellishments, much of this underlying layer will be obscured, but some will continue to peek through, in areas where lighter colours were used or where you removed some paint. Not only does some of the text show through but the shape of your ephemera will show through to, so use this layer to add interesting shapes and torn edges and create areas that will help define the piece as it progresses.
Happy layering!
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