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I was inspired by a video shared in another thread to start one about the Non-Rules of Mixed Media and Art Journaling. Now we will have a place to go when we need a reminder/push to have fun when using our art tools.
9. If it "stand still long enough", stamp with it or gesso it & glue it onto your mixed media art because anything can be used in mixed media even mother nature's elements.
10 Beauty in in the eye of the creator when it comes to Art Journaling, this time you are creating for you. If others like it great but this time it's all about you and that's okay.
12. A philosophy from Dina Wakley that I've embraced (to overcome intimidation LOL): I'm paraphrasing from memory but it's along the lines of "You own the art; the art does not own you."
__________________ "May your mind whirl joyful cartwheels of creativity." - Jonathan Lockwood Huie.
Last edited by QueenOfInkland; 06-10-2014 at 07:16 PM..
15. Is's not about techniques... it's about feelings... use your fingers as pencils, mix colors as you wish, build textures with scraps... if it feels right, sit back and enjoy.
16. You can find inspiration anywhere, you just have to relax and let the ideas come to you and then use those ideas without hesitation or fear.
and a not so unrule:
14 c do learn when to leave well enough alone and let things dry - don't ask, grrr
Big LOL at 'let things dry' - I hear lots of mixed media artists lament at not having done that. Dina Wakley says she works on 3 journals at a time just for the drying aspect. I'm paraphrasing here but "Paint paint paint #1, put it aside. Paint paint paint #2, put it aside. Paint paint paint #3, put it aside. Pick up #1 which is dry now and add 'next layer'."
__________________ "May your mind whirl joyful cartwheels of creativity." - Jonathan Lockwood Huie.
19. You don't have to do it all in one sitting- it's okay to add one layer or even one squiggly line and then walk away if that's all you have time for.
20. Stop when you feel satisfied. You don't have to add more paint, more stencils, more paper or more anything just because you have more stuff in your supply cabinet. Sometimes less is perfect.
22. remember to add shadows under or around images
23. Don't be afraid to add something freehand. If you are worried about "making a mistake" then get out your dry erase pen and a piece of clear plastic (I use my Stampamajig square), lay it on top of your page, and do a practice sketch.
24. Remember to incorporate 3 colors, not 3 shades of the same color. Even if it's only a tiny bit it will enhance your page and make it pop. Yes, white is "a color".
25. test your supplies before you use them, to make sure they won't smear or run. Keep a supply notebook where you test everything when you first buy it. Write instructions to yourself. I learned the hard way that you can't put gesso over Dylusions Spray Inks. Oops.
9. If it "stand still long enough", stamp with it or gesso it & glue it onto your mixed media art because anything can be used in mixed media even mother nature's elements.
I have a bit of a funny story about using mother nature's elements. A friend was working on a canvas for her husband. It needed something with more dimension, but since it was for her hubby she didn't want flowers like most of the other ladies were using. After thinking about it a bit I went out and gathered a few different size pine cones. A couple I actually took off the tree. They looked WONDERFUL and were just the right touch. Later on in the process......she noticed teeny tiny little bugs on her canvas!!!!! lol We sprayed it then with a sealer. A little spider ran out! Needless to say, that is now the most thoroughly sealed canvas EVER!
__________________ Sharon
Last edited by dini; 05-28-2014 at 06:50 AM..
Reason: formatting
Being a newbie to mixed media, I found the post here the most helpful for me. Thanks for such a great place to learn!! Especially how to avoid mistakes..lol
26. Don't give up. Layering can look atrocious in the early stages but it will come together eventually.
27. Protect your layers. When you get to a point where you love it but want to add more, cover it in gel medium. That way you can wipe off the next layer if you truly hate it.
28. It doesn't have to be perfect.
29. If you can't follow 28. then cover it up. Some of my best work was done covering up boo boos.
I protected my layers on a piece I was done or I thought I was done. Then I decided to add a bit more green Copic airbrushing to the ground. Oh dang it! I got Copic all over my main character's legs. And a lovely light tan they were. #%^!! Then I remembered that I'd added gel medium over it. A few swipes with my blender and they were lovely again instead of being dark green spotted!
__________________ RebeccaEdnie Mixed Media Artist, Paper Crafter, Jewelry Designer SCSDirtyDozenAlumni Www.Boxofchocolatescrafts.Com YouNeverKnowWhatI’mGoingtoMake
26.
27. Protect your layers. When you get to a point where you love it but want to add more, cover it in gel medium. That way you can wipe off the next layer if you truly hate it.
This worked really well for me. Thank you! I have gel medium, but I tried it with Mod Podge Matte, and it worked really well. I'm also going to try it with gloss medium.
This is so helpful! I'm in the process of making a series of layered cards for different occasions, using my old (I mean ANCIENT) Dee Gruenig Inkabilities on black cardstock for the first layer. I'm using them both with and without stencils on that first layer. They dry beautifully and fast so I'll be able to add the gel medium almost immediately. What I've been doing up to now is just adding more Inkabilities over the layers I don't like, but that's so wasteful. Apologies for not being able to post my work at the moment, but I'll let you know how the gel medium works out.
Last edited by Louisa May; 06-06-2014 at 06:51 AM..
Reason: update
"Un"-Rules of Mixed Media & Journaling
