8 sessions; 60 minutes per session

Students explore the power of the artistic process through layering mixed media, and allowing their artwork to evolve over time.

Heavyweight mixed media paper

Variety of wet media:
Acrylic Paint
Tempera Paint
Ink
Watercolor Paint

Variety of dry media:
Chalk Pastels
Charcoal
Conte
Crayons
Markers
Oil Pastels

Other optional materials:
Collage materials
Printmaking materials
Paint mediums
Mod Podge
Strong adhesives

Need these materials? Visit Blick!

Students begin this project by doing extensive research on mixed media painting. They do not only search for practicing artists who focus on working with mixed media, they also watch YouTube videos or videos on Instagram for inspiration on how to use a wide variety of materials to create this type of painting.

After their research is complete and they have summarized their findings, students begin creating their own mixed media work of art.

Many students choose to begin with a layer of collage. This could include an assortment of media that is carefully adhered to a heavyweight mixed media paper (at least 90 lbs. preferably 140 lbs.)

When their first layer has dried, students continue building up their painting by using other wet media (or dry media) with the intent to develop a visual story.

Students are encouraged to express ideas they are passionate about, and with that need to understand their creative process might not look like their classmates.

Students should also know however that their classmates will likely offer the best feedback throughout the creation of their mixed media painting, so each students should be discussing their artistic choices daily. Additionally, students should log their artistic choices for the instructor to review when assessing their final work of art.

When students feel their mixed media painting is complete, they must mount their work for presentation.

Suggested Artist Research:

Muberra Bulbul, Johann Van Den Noort, Michael Schaffer, Ivan Pili, Valda Fitzpatrick, Mario Ortiz Martinez, Jackson Tarver, Jerry Di Falco, Roxanne Brousseau Felio, Hans Andre, and Nicholas Down are all artists who create original Mixed Media artworks.

Abstract Art, Arts and Crafts Movement, Conceptual Art, Contemporary Art, Expressionism, Street Art, Surrealism, Symbolism

Balance, Color/Value, Emphasis, Line, Movement, Rhythm/Pattern, Shape, Texture, Unity/Harmony, Variety

Acrylic, Chalk, Charcoal, Collage, Colored Pencil, Conte, Crayon, Drawing, Mixed Media, Painting, Paper, Pastel, Pencil, Tempera, Watercolor