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I am really interested in mixed media on canvases, picture frames and other altered items. Not really into art journals. So where should I start? What kind of supplies should I have? I've bought some canvases cheap at flea markets with the intention of painting over them to start fresh. What should I use?
You could use acrylic paint or gesso to paint over the canvasses.
As for what supplies ... you'll need some paintbrushes and paint (of course!). You can use pretty much anything on a mixed media canvas, such as paper (junk mail or DSP scraps), or prima-type flowers you might have, stamps, ink, stencils. The list goes on & on!
You Tube is a good place to look for inspiration. Just keep in mind that you don't have to run out & buy whatever the artist is using. Use what you already have!
You could use acrylic paint or gesso to paint over the canvasses.
As for what supplies ... you'll need some paintbrushes and paint (of course!). You can use pretty much anything on a mixed media canvas, such as paper (junk mail or DSP scraps), or prima-type flowers you might have, stamps, ink, stencils. The list goes on & on!
You Tube is a good place to look for inspiration. Just keep in mind that you don't have to run out & buy whatever the artist is using. Use what you already have!
Thanks for your reply! I have been checking out YouTube and Pinterest for ideas. I love the idea of using junk mail and DSP scraps as I always have a ton of each. I was thinking the canvas had to be white to begin since most brand new canvases are white but I guess I could use what is already on the canvas as background. Once the canvas is completed, do you seal with any particular product? I use Modge Podge for other projects but I hate how sticky it is after it dries.
I started to reply yesterday and never hit post...!
Gel medium is a great step up from Mod Podge. I think I have the Liquitex brand as well, and it comes in matte and gloss. You can use it for adhering layers, and also for sealing them over top. I love the matte because it just sort of disappears when it dries.
For prepping canvases... if they're blank they're usually given a coat of gesso already, but if you're working over something that's printed or painted, or if you're working on unfinished wood, you'll want to start with gesso. I have found it in clear, white, and black, and you can mix in paints or pigments as well if you want a colored base.
One of the first thing I discovered and still love about mixed media is that I can finally use those bits and pieces I've collected over the years. Stuff I stamped but never used, left overs from sticker sheets, die cuts that I changed my mind about and saved, etc.
...and before going out to buy everything you see others using on their creations try using what you have. Mixed media is the perfect place to use and hopefully better master all those mediums you have in your stash.
I do agree though that the 2 exceptions to this are: Gel Medium and Gesso. They are likely to become your most used products.
Good luck and welcome to mixed media. It is a wonderfully freeing experience.
Gessoing your canvases is a useful first step. Inexpensive canvases may already have a gesso coating but it's often applied thinly or spots are missed. Golden is the gold standard; Liquitex is really good; I use both. You can get white, clear or ... black!
I started to reply yesterday and never hit post...!
Gel medium is a great step up from Mod Podge. I think I have the Liquitex brand as well, and it comes in matte and gloss. You can use it for adhering layers, and also for sealing them over top. I love the matte because it just sort of disappears when it dries.
For prepping canvases... if they're blank they're usually given a coat of gesso already, but if you're working over something that's printed or painted, or if you're working on unfinished wood, you'll want to start with gesso. I have found it in clear, white, and black, and you can mix in paints or pigments as well if you want a colored base.
Gessoing your canvases is a useful first step. Inexpensive canvases may already have a gesso coating but it's often applied thinly or spots are missed. Golden is the gold standard; Liquitex is really good; I use both. You can get white, clear or ... black!
Yes! I have already been thinking of new ways to use my stash I have had for years...all those primas, stickers, rub-ons, etc I could never quite incorporate into a card...love it!!!!
Originally Posted by stampin stacy
One of the first thing I discovered and still love about mixed media is that I can finally use those bits and pieces I've collected over the years. Stuff I stamped but never used, left overs from sticker sheets, die cuts that I changed my mind about and saved, etc.
...and before going out to buy everything you see others using on their creations try using what you have. Mixed media is the perfect place to use and hopefully better master all those mediums you have in your stash.
I do agree though that the 2 exceptions to this are: Gel Medium and Gesso. They are likely to become your most used products.
Good luck and welcome to mixed media. It is a wonderfully freeing experience.
Gesso may be one of those times where spending a little more $$$ may be a better option if you want better coverage with less coats over other things. I have the Liquidtex Basic which is nice (very smooth) but not as opaque as I expected.
My collection of stuff has decreased quite a bit in some ways but grown in other ways because I'm always asking myself "how could I use this in mixed media" before throwing anything away now. :rolleyes:
Gesso may be one of those times where spending a little more $$$ may be a better option if you want better coverage with less coats over other things. I have the Liquidtex Basic which is nice (very smooth) but not as opaque as I expected.
My collection of stuff has decreased quite a bit in some ways but grown in other ways because I'm always asking myself "how could I use this in mixed media" before throwing anything away now. :rolleyes:
I remembered you saying something about reusing canvases. I didn't want you to be surprised by lack of coverage and give up before you got started. FYI, several thin coats of gesso work better than one or two thick coats. You can even sand smooth between layers if needed.
I remembered you saying something about reusing canvases. I didn't want you to be surprised by lack of coverage and give up before you got started. FYI, several thin coats of gesso work better than one or two thick coats. You can even sand smooth between layers if needed.
I'm thinking that as these are already 'used' canvases, and have probably been hanging in peoples homes, the Gesso would definitely be a good idea. There may be all sorts of stuff on the surface of the canvas that you can't see- just think how wallpaper/paint gradually discolours at home from cooking etc. Just general over the years dust & detritus and these may seep through & discolour whatever you are going to put on them.
I did not think of that when I bought them so thanks for mentioning that. I will definitely be buying some Gesso.
Originally Posted by shazsilverwolf
I'm thinking that as these are already 'used' canvases, and have probably been hanging in peoples homes, the Gesso would definitely be a good idea. There may be all sorts of stuff on the surface of the canvas that you can't see- just think how wallpaper/paint gradually discolours at home from cooking etc. Just general over the years dust & detritus and these may seep through & discolour whatever you are going to put on them.
Yes..Gesso and Gel Medium will be your friends! After that acrylic paints, modeling paste through stencils, using your stamps as background images, old phone books, old pages from paperback novels (you can purchase really cheap at library sales), cut up magazine ads, napkins, slik flowers/leaves...you name it..you can apply it with Gel Medium. Let dry between layers...it you don't like it; paint over it again! Have fun.
__________________ Have a creative day, every day.
I've not read all of the suggestions so this may be a repeat. I'd buy some heavy body acrylic paint from Michaels. I can't recall the brand but it comes in tubes and it's quite cheap but decent quality. They also have gel medium and texture-molding-embossing paste (whatever they call it) in the line. I've seen it for $2-3/tube. Get some $ store paint brushes and as long as they don't shed their bristles, they will be fine to start. Get some foam brushes too and save a hotel key card or old discount card as they are useful for many techniques. Get a good permanent black pen for lettering or journaling. Maybe some alphabet stamps or stickers for titles and a good white pen. I love stencils and get a palette knife ($store). That's all you need to start! There's lots more that's awesome but it depends on what you want to create and your style.
How to get started
