Description
Mixed Media Handbook is an easy-to-use reference of art materials and their relevance in creating mixed-media art. This book is intended to provide all age groups and skill levels a comprehensive guide to understanding art materials and supplies.
Written by a professional artist, this book offers (in a logical sequence) descriptions of the materials, tools and equipment that are currently and commonly used in creating mixed-media art.
Unlike other artist’s handbooks, Mixed Media Handbook caters to the present-day artist. This book provides a complete and up-to-date accounting of the materials of their craft. It answers important questions for the artists so they may have the greatest possible control over their materials. It also aids in the economy of their art, by ensuring they purchase the correct materials for their needs.
The most valuable advice offered outside of this resourceful book is that you make the effort to fully understand your materials before using them in your art. Many factors can affect the outcome of a mixed-media project. Although there are no guarantees, Mixed Media Handbook can help you to eliminate doubts and gain the confidence to make comprehensive decisions when being creative.
With its vast selection of materials, media and working processes, collage provides artists with a considerable number of productive techniques. Experimentation is essential for narrowing the almost countless possibilities to workable numbers; you will need to try several ways of combining methods and techniques. Your own personal interests in working processes, kinds of materials and goals or desired outcomes will dictate your major areas of exploration. For example, if you wish to create representational images, you should know that certain papers and techniques will be more efficient than others, so you can then sidestep scores of inappropriate collage combinations. Consider style, technique, and subject matter before you make final decisions.
When you begin experimenting, try various combinations of materials and techniques on small supports. Make notes on the back of each study to record materials, processes and problems. These notes will be very helpful as you further your creative explorations.
Collage supplies tend to differ greatly among the various personal techniques that artists develop. For example, there are numerous adhesives and methods of application, however only one is needed to build a collage—the one that is most appropriate for the materials and techniques employed. The same holds true for tools, other media and finishes. Experimentation, however, can involve additional materials and personalized selections.
Although there are many avenues to develop mixed-media art, they all begin with the same simple principles: gather your resources and materials, select a substrate, edit down your collage resources, select an adhesive, begin your first layer, embellish with other media and continue to repeat until you achieve the desired look.
Once you have chosen your collage materials, you then want to develop personal techniques for using them most effectively. Again, experimentation is the key to our successful solutions and discoveries. You should try various ways of cutting, tearing, adhering, overpainting, altering and finishing until you are satisfied that you are accomplishing two things: the most effective way to use materials, and a style that is representational of you. Experimental activities can best be carried out on small studies so that many possibilities can be explored in a short period of time.