today was spent on yet another mixed media session! using some different techniques from the mixed media session i did earlier this year, today i made it on a canvas.
take your blank canvas and paint it over with a thin layer of Gesso. this is to give you a smooth surface for the next steps. the thickness of Gesso varies with the purpose you want to solve with it. for example, if you want to create a base for your inks and paints, paint a thin layer and if you want to create texture use a thicker layer.
dry out the canvas using a hair dryer or heat tool. when using a dryer, be careful not to go really close to the canvas as it may cause bubbles in the Gesso, which would kind of defeat the purpose of creating a smooth surface. if you have the time and patience to let it dry in the sun, then go for it too. the canvas should be warm to touch, that's how you would know its completely dry.
just trying to see how i would want to arrange my focal point items. as you progress with your piece however, you will keep changing these positions and the end result could be different. but in this piece, the second texture could only be created in a straight line, so i could not arrange my flowers this way.
the nest step was to use texture paste and stencil. this particular texture paste when dried gives the look of cracked paint. the beauty of mixed media is that there is no right or wrong way to do it (excepts the basics of course). use your imagination and apply the materials or techniques any which way you like. the only requirement is to keep practicing and keep experimenting.
so here i used my stencil to create a polka dot appearance.
