As I mentioned in “The Things You Want to Learn: part 1” last week, I found the comments on the April 26 (Wedding Ring) stencil hop post absolutely fascinating. I asked the question, “What is a craft/art supply you’d like to learn more about?” Today I’m going to offer a few more resources for some of the most often requested things.
A number of people mentioned “mixed media techniques.” This one is a bit of a doozy. It’s such an enormously vast topic. It’s a little like wanting to learn about “art.” Where does one even start with the topic? I figure it’s a bit like that old adage:
Q: How do you eat an elephant?
A: One bite at a time.
So let’s take the first bite: What is mixed media? Mixed media has become a bit of a buzz word that is now used in the scrapbooking world to describe anything involving paint or layouts that are a bit artsy feeling. The actual definition of mixed media is art that combines two traditionally separate disciplines (such as collage and painting).
Technically speaking, most scrapbooking is mixed media art because we combine paper-on-paper (aka collage) with found objects (metal, wood, plastic, fabric) and often with paint and/or ink, as well as stitch. And as you can see from my note on the image above, writing with a journaling pen adds ink into the mix and that keeps scrapbooking from being simply collage. That said, I have found that when most people in the scrapbook world refer to “mixed media techniques” they’re usually talking about techniques for integrating paint, ink, and paper. So here are some places to start:
- My hour-long instructional DVD “Collage Fast & Furious” is full of techniques for mixing up your media. You can purchase it as a physical DVD or as a digital product and download it to your computer immediately!
- My online class “Technique-a-Palooza: Paint & Ink” which has thirty paint and ink techniques along with suggestions on ways to combine them.
- Type the phrase “mixed media” in the YouTube search window and you’ll come up with a ton of great and FREE tutorial videos.
All of that said, the first way to learn about mixed media is to try it. Do it. There’s no right or wrong. Just do something. See if you like it. Figure out how you like to hold your paintbrush. Do whatever feels good to you. I guarantee that you can’t go wrong!
For this one, see all the links above, plus my friend Nathalie Kalbach is currently teaching an online class all about acrylic paint!
In this Über*Media Acrylic Paint Workshop Nathalie will teach you how to use acrylic paints in your scrapbooking and mixed media projects. This class is a reference guide for you, showing all kinds of possibilities and techniques using acrylic paints — in fact, there are almost 100 techniques for using acrylic paints in this class. Wow!
Also, a lot of people swear by this book: Acrylic Revolution. I bought it when it came out, but I have to admit that I haven’t even cracked it open in all the years I’ve had it. Hmmmm…maybe a future Book Club book?
Here’s a fun video from the awesome Dina Wakley on using modeling paste:
Other links:
- Check out this review of Golden’s Clear Tar Gel.
- Scrap Jazz has an informative article about Gel and Polymer Mediums.
- Here is a video about using Golden Extra Course Pumice Gel.
- Watch this easy-to-follow video tutorial on doing a gel medium image transfer.
Finally, here is a video from Golden, about their various modeling pastes:
If you’d like to do some experimenting, Golden sells a “Sampler Pack” containing a 2 oz (60 ml) jar of Soft Gel (Gloss), Regular Gel (Semi-Gloss), Extra-Heavy Gel (Matte), Light Molding Paste, Coarse Pumice Gel, and Clear Tar Gel. It’s less than $20 for all six mediums and a great way for you to do a bit of experimenting and figure out what you like before you invest in bigget jars.
When I graduated from college, I asked my parents for a gift: a sewing machine. I didn’t end up getting the machine for several years, but once I did, it was love at first sight. Here’s how I learned to sew:
- The woman at the sewing machine store showed me how to thread the machine.
- I took my machine home and couldn’t remember how to thread the machine.
- I studied my manual and re-learned how to thread the machine.
- I bought lots of sewing and quilting books and tried lots of projects from them. The best book, in my opinion, is Patchwork Quilts Made Easy by Jean Wells.
- I still couldn’t remember how to thread my machine.
- I took a basic quilting class at The City Quilter.
- I started to experiment…and I haven’t stopped since!
I think sewing is an essential art skill to have. If you’d like to develop your skills, you can take my online mixed media sewing class “It’s Sew Easy.”
If you want to learn more about sewing by hand on paper, Kinsey Wilson has a wonderful free blog class called “Handstitch.”
In the image above Kinsey is sharing the different looks you get depending on how many strands of embroidery floss you use to stitch.
Finally, one of the great mixed media sewing goddesses — in my opinion — is Alisa Burke. I highly recommend her book: Sew Wild.
If you’re interested in watercolor paints:
- I am currently teaching a class called “Wonderful Watercolor” as part of the “21 Secrets” online art journaling class. You can still sign up.
- Be sure to check out this “Art Journal Every Day” post I did all about watercolor. It includes a short video I taped on layering watercolor.
If you’re interested in watercolor pencils, this video is definitely worth a watch:
As for watercolor crayons:
- The Splitcoast Stampers site has a tutorial on stamping with watercolor crayons.
- Dion Dior did a wonderful guest post for this blog on using watersoluble crayons.
- This post about screenprinting with watersoluble crayons blew my mind! I want to try it!
There’s so much to learn about and so many ways to learn it all! I encourage you to consider supporting the artists whose work you love by buying their books, DVDs, classes, products, etc. All of those purchases allow them to keep sharing free content and is much appreciated.
Thanks for stopping by!
—
P.S. The winner of the ” Peek-a-Boo” stencil in 6×6 and 12×12 is…
Congratulations, Debbie! E-mail me with your mailing address and I’ll get those stencils out to you!
Thank you for all the information in this post…I appreciate all the knowledge you share.
Thank you for all the information in this post…I appreciate all the knowledge you share.
Thank you for all the information in this post…I appreciate all the knowledge you share.
Thank you for all the information in this post…I appreciate all the knowledge you share.
Thank you for all the information in this post…I appreciate all the knowledge you share.
WOW…..this is chuckerblock full of great info….will need to pop back when I have more time to view it all!!
WOW…..this is chuckerblock full of great info….will need to pop back when I have more time to view it all!!
WOW…..this is chuckerblock full of great info….will need to pop back when I have more time to view it all!!
WOW…..this is chuckerblock full of great info….will need to pop back when I have more time to view it all!!
WOW…..this is chuckerblock full of great info….will need to pop back when I have more time to view it all!!
Hey Julie, thanks for this outstanding course !
I have read somewhere that the difference between “freestyle scrapbooking” and “mixed media” is that scrapbooking enhances personal pictures when mixed media doesn’t use personal pictures, or at least includes them into the piece of art…
My definition is : whatever the name you give, the most important is to have fun !
and you very much help me to have fun with your sharings !!! thanks again !
Hey Julie, thanks for this outstanding course !
I have read somewhere that the difference between “freestyle scrapbooking” and “mixed media” is that scrapbooking enhances personal pictures when mixed media doesn’t use personal pictures, or at least includes them into the piece of art…
My definition is : whatever the name you give, the most important is to have fun !
and you very much help me to have fun with your sharings !!! thanks again !
Hey Julie, thanks for this outstanding course !
I have read somewhere that the difference between “freestyle scrapbooking” and “mixed media” is that scrapbooking enhances personal pictures when mixed media doesn’t use personal pictures, or at least includes them into the piece of art…
My definition is : whatever the name you give, the most important is to have fun !
and you very much help me to have fun with your sharings !!! thanks again !
Hey Julie, thanks for this outstanding course !
I have read somewhere that the difference between “freestyle scrapbooking” and “mixed media” is that scrapbooking enhances personal pictures when mixed media doesn’t use personal pictures, or at least includes them into the piece of art…
My definition is : whatever the name you give, the most important is to have fun !
and you very much help me to have fun with your sharings !!! thanks again !
Hey Julie, thanks for this outstanding course !
I have read somewhere that the difference between “freestyle scrapbooking” and “mixed media” is that scrapbooking enhances personal pictures when mixed media doesn’t use personal pictures, or at least includes them into the piece of art…
My definition is : whatever the name you give, the most important is to have fun !
and you very much help me to have fun with your sharings !!! thanks again !
Thanks for more great sites/classes/tutorials…I need a longer day 😉
Thanks for more great sites/classes/tutorials…I need a longer day 😉
Thanks for more great sites/classes/tutorials…I need a longer day 😉
Thanks for more great sites/classes/tutorials…I need a longer day 😉
Thanks for more great sites/classes/tutorials…I need a longer day 😉
Great info – thanks for such a thorough round-up!
Great info – thanks for such a thorough round-up!
Great info – thanks for such a thorough round-up!
Great info – thanks for such a thorough round-up!
Great info – thanks for such a thorough round-up!
Julie,
I just have to say your blog has become by favorite!! There is so much good content, great stuff to learn, beautiful things to see, and a sense of humor and ‘realness’ throughout. Thank you so much.
Julie,
I just have to say your blog has become by favorite!! There is so much good content, great stuff to learn, beautiful things to see, and a sense of humor and ‘realness’ throughout. Thank you so much.
Julie,
I just have to say your blog has become by favorite!! There is so much good content, great stuff to learn, beautiful things to see, and a sense of humor and ‘realness’ throughout. Thank you so much.
Julie,
I just have to say your blog has become by favorite!! There is so much good content, great stuff to learn, beautiful things to see, and a sense of humor and ‘realness’ throughout. Thank you so much.
Julie,
I just have to say your blog has become by favorite!! There is so much good content, great stuff to learn, beautiful things to see, and a sense of humor and ‘realness’ throughout. Thank you so much.
So much great stuff in one post! Thanks for sharing so generously. This will keep me busy for weeks!
So much great stuff in one post! Thanks for sharing so generously. This will keep me busy for weeks!
So much great stuff in one post! Thanks for sharing so generously. This will keep me busy for weeks!
So much great stuff in one post! Thanks for sharing so generously. This will keep me busy for weeks!
So much great stuff in one post! Thanks for sharing so generously. This will keep me busy for weeks!
WOW! What a post. Thanks thanks thanks Julie!
The Golden clip was particularly helpful to me at this time.
WOW! What a post. Thanks thanks thanks Julie!
The Golden clip was particularly helpful to me at this time.
WOW! What a post. Thanks thanks thanks Julie!
The Golden clip was particularly helpful to me at this time.
WOW! What a post. Thanks thanks thanks Julie!
The Golden clip was particularly helpful to me at this time.
WOW! What a post. Thanks thanks thanks Julie!
The Golden clip was particularly helpful to me at this time.
Wow, lots of great information in your post, Julie. Thanks so much for including the videos!
Wow, lots of great information in your post, Julie. Thanks so much for including the videos!
Wow, lots of great information in your post, Julie. Thanks so much for including the videos!
Wow, lots of great information in your post, Julie. Thanks so much for including the videos!
Wow, lots of great information in your post, Julie. Thanks so much for including the videos!
What an amazing post! Every time I thought surely I had reached the end, it kept on going . . . fantastic. I watched the video of Mr. Fischer (hope I remembered that right) demoing the watercolor pencils and crayons, and that alone was worth it–what a treat to watch him show so many techniques in just a few minutes. Thank you!
What an amazing post! Every time I thought surely I had reached the end, it kept on going . . . fantastic. I watched the video of Mr. Fischer (hope I remembered that right) demoing the watercolor pencils and crayons, and that alone was worth it–what a treat to watch him show so many techniques in just a few minutes. Thank you!
What an amazing post! Every time I thought surely I had reached the end, it kept on going . . . fantastic. I watched the video of Mr. Fischer (hope I remembered that right) demoing the watercolor pencils and crayons, and that alone was worth it–what a treat to watch him show so many techniques in just a few minutes. Thank you!
What an amazing post! Every time I thought surely I had reached the end, it kept on going . . . fantastic. I watched the video of Mr. Fischer (hope I remembered that right) demoing the watercolor pencils and crayons, and that alone was worth it–what a treat to watch him show so many techniques in just a few minutes. Thank you!
What an amazing post! Every time I thought surely I had reached the end, it kept on going . . . fantastic. I watched the video of Mr. Fischer (hope I remembered that right) demoing the watercolor pencils and crayons, and that alone was worth it–what a treat to watch him show so many techniques in just a few minutes. Thank you!
Julie, your blog is one I ALWAYS read…THIS post is why..THANK YOU ! AWESOME info on everything! Saving this post for sure 🙂
Julie, your blog is one I ALWAYS read…THIS post is why..THANK YOU ! AWESOME info on everything! Saving this post for sure 🙂
Julie, your blog is one I ALWAYS read…THIS post is why..THANK YOU ! AWESOME info on everything! Saving this post for sure 🙂
Julie, your blog is one I ALWAYS read…THIS post is why..THANK YOU ! AWESOME info on everything! Saving this post for sure 🙂
Julie, your blog is one I ALWAYS read…THIS post is why..THANK YOU ! AWESOME info on everything! Saving this post for sure 🙂
Nat’s class looks fabulous! I will have to take that in the future! Is your class with 21 Secrets available as a separate item?
Nat’s class looks fabulous! I will have to take that in the future! Is your class with 21 Secrets available as a separate item?
Nat’s class looks fabulous! I will have to take that in the future! Is your class with 21 Secrets available as a separate item?
Nat’s class looks fabulous! I will have to take that in the future! Is your class with 21 Secrets available as a separate item?
Nat’s class looks fabulous! I will have to take that in the future! Is your class with 21 Secrets available as a separate item?
It is not. 🙁
It is not. 🙁
It is not. 🙁
It is not. 🙁
It is not. 🙁
Thanks for more linky goodness! I have Acrylic Revolution and have done some of the work in it. i think it would be a great book club selection.
Thanks for more linky goodness! I have Acrylic Revolution and have done some of the work in it. i think it would be a great book club selection.
Thanks for more linky goodness! I have Acrylic Revolution and have done some of the work in it. i think it would be a great book club selection.
Thanks for more linky goodness! I have Acrylic Revolution and have done some of the work in it. i think it would be a great book club selection.
Thanks for more linky goodness! I have Acrylic Revolution and have done some of the work in it. i think it would be a great book club selection.
Wow another awesome installment! Thanx so much for taking the time to put this together! Part one was a really big help and I cannot wait to watch the videos and check out the links you have posted for Part 2! This is greatly appreciated! Thanx for sharing this. 🙂
Wow another awesome installment! Thanx so much for taking the time to put this together! Part one was a really big help and I cannot wait to watch the videos and check out the links you have posted for Part 2! This is greatly appreciated! Thanx for sharing this. 🙂
Wow another awesome installment! Thanx so much for taking the time to put this together! Part one was a really big help and I cannot wait to watch the videos and check out the links you have posted for Part 2! This is greatly appreciated! Thanx for sharing this. 🙂
Wow another awesome installment! Thanx so much for taking the time to put this together! Part one was a really big help and I cannot wait to watch the videos and check out the links you have posted for Part 2! This is greatly appreciated! Thanx for sharing this. 🙂
Wow another awesome installment! Thanx so much for taking the time to put this together! Part one was a really big help and I cannot wait to watch the videos and check out the links you have posted for Part 2! This is greatly appreciated! Thanx for sharing this. 🙂
that is sad! I wish I could say I get watercolor after watching all your u-tube videos, your faces video from CPS and the classes i have taken from you but I don’t. i don’t think i wet the paper enough or something. Anyway I would HAPPILY PAY to take an online class on watercolor from you! You got me sewing so i am sure you can get me using watercolors-:)
that is sad! I wish I could say I get watercolor after watching all your u-tube videos, your faces video from CPS and the classes i have taken from you but I don’t. i don’t think i wet the paper enough or something. Anyway I would HAPPILY PAY to take an online class on watercolor from you! You got me sewing so i am sure you can get me using watercolors-:)
that is sad! I wish I could say I get watercolor after watching all your u-tube videos, your faces video from CPS and the classes i have taken from you but I don’t. i don’t think i wet the paper enough or something. Anyway I would HAPPILY PAY to take an online class on watercolor from you! You got me sewing so i am sure you can get me using watercolors-:)
that is sad! I wish I could say I get watercolor after watching all your u-tube videos, your faces video from CPS and the classes i have taken from you but I don’t. i don’t think i wet the paper enough or something. Anyway I would HAPPILY PAY to take an online class on watercolor from you! You got me sewing so i am sure you can get me using watercolors-:)
that is sad! I wish I could say I get watercolor after watching all your u-tube videos, your faces video from CPS and the classes i have taken from you but I don’t. i don’t think i wet the paper enough or something. Anyway I would HAPPILY PAY to take an online class on watercolor from you! You got me sewing so i am sure you can get me using watercolors-:)
thank you Julie for putting all this info together!
thank you Julie for putting all this info together!
thank you Julie for putting all this info together!
thank you Julie for putting all this info together!
thank you Julie for putting all this info together!
Thank you for taking all the time you have (part one AND part two) teaching us and giving us so many avenues enabling us to learn these tools and techniques!
Thank you for taking all the time you have (part one AND part two) teaching us and giving us so many avenues enabling us to learn these tools and techniques!
Thank you for taking all the time you have (part one AND part two) teaching us and giving us so many avenues enabling us to learn these tools and techniques!
Thank you for taking all the time you have (part one AND part two) teaching us and giving us so many avenues enabling us to learn these tools and techniques!
Thank you for taking all the time you have (part one AND part two) teaching us and giving us so many avenues enabling us to learn these tools and techniques!
Oh my gosh! I could listen to Tim Fisher all day! Loved that watercolor pencils video!
Oh my gosh! I could listen to Tim Fisher all day! Loved that watercolor pencils video!
Oh my gosh! I could listen to Tim Fisher all day! Loved that watercolor pencils video!
Oh my gosh! I could listen to Tim Fisher all day! Loved that watercolor pencils video!
Oh my gosh! I could listen to Tim Fisher all day! Loved that watercolor pencils video!