KAREN CAMPBELL, ARTIST
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Let's Get Your Creative Juices Flowing!!!

Mixed Media Hamburger Series FINALE!

26/12/2019

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You made it to the Hamburger Series Finale! I’m assuming you know what that means by now 😂 😂 😂

I know, it MAY have felt like we were done last week. We already sealed the beautifully detailed pitt pen doodling layer with mod podge.

That should be it right? Not quite…

​You know I’m a HUGE mod podge fan, but as the final layer in mixed media painting on paper, canvas, or wood… this isn’t gonna seal the deal.
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​In today’s video, I’ll demo not one, but NINE artist vs. craft grade varnishes to show you which ones will do the trick, and which ones will last a lifetime when you are ready to protect all the layers of your mixed media your finished masterpieces. 
​
One amazing product will EVEN make your artwork look more vibrant than it already does (I know - I didn’t think that was possible either!).

This same product (hint: by Liquitex), EVEN got me to fall in love with a gloss finish, when I’m typically a matte girl. Just check out this project, soooooooo smooth and shiny with it's final coat on!
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Did you grab my FREE Hamburger System Cheatsheet yet to help you work right along with me? Simply click the button below and I'll send it straight to your inbox. 
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In today's video, we will try out 5 products you can pour and brush on, and 4 that come as spray varnish. 

I’ll teach you how to apply varnish to protect your art journal pages to keep them from sticking together, and how to varnish a painting, when it's done. 

Which varnishes are stinky? Which one takes forever to dry? Which one is JUST right? 
​
Watch the video and find out!
I loved creating this Hamburger System Series so much, I turned the resources into a full on book (affiliate link)! Now available on Amazon.
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Who's hungry for a mixed media "Hamburger"?

20/12/2019

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I know I am!!

This is week 7 of 8 in my Mixed Media Hamburger System series on YouTube! In today's video I'm teaching you the EXACT method I use for adding shading, drama AND details to ALL of my mixed media projects! 

AND we're gonna FINALLY help the mixed media portrait I left sitting on my art table last week to grow out of her ugly phase! 😂😂

​And sweet Jesus she was ugly so how nice it is to make her beautiful after all this time! lol! This was her after last week...
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And this is her now!
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A little bit of transformation there, AMIRIIIIGHT?!

And, magically, the ONLY product I used to make her go from ugh to aaaaaaaaah, are these Pitt Pens by Faber-Castell.
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And, of course, my favorite product in the whole wide world, Mod Podge.
Pitt pens come in a variety of nibs. Personally I love the big brush version - but the nibs don't matter as much because all of these babies are filled with the same, juicy india ink. It's glorious for mixed media painting and glides beautifully over a dry coat of mod podge.
​
In this video, I'll demo blending skin tones with faber castell pitt pens, and will show you two of their most MAGICAL features: they are easy to blend, and are actually ERASEABLE (for about 30 seconds!). If you lay down color you don't like or if you feel like your mark didn't land in the right spot, you can wipe it away with your finger or a baby wipe while the mark is still glistening!

Did you grab my FREE Hamburger System Cheatsheet yet? It tells you exactly how I do my layers for my mixed media art projects. Simply click the link below, and I'll send it straight to your email inbox. 
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But that's not all!!

This mixed media "Hamburger" series has already been so helpful and fun for so many people, that I've compiled ALL my brains and tricks and tips and techniques into a 70 page published paperback!!! And yep, it's now available on Amazon (affiliate link). 
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​So if you've ever craved a little bit of a plan, something to take away the mystery of mixed media. I got you.
​Stay tuned for next week's final episode (number 8) all on varnishes!! See you then and Merry Christmas!!!!
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Is Mod Podge REALLY Your Best Choice for Mixed Media Art?

13/12/2019

5 Comments

 
I have an OBSESSION with Mod Podge.
​
It’s one of my absolute fav mixed media art supplies, and I buy it by the gallon and use it in 99% of my mixed media art projects!
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Even though I use it all the time, tons of students still ask me if there are artist grade equivalents to Mod Podge that can be used to seal the acrylic layers in their mixed media art journal pages and canvases. And THAT is a GREAT question!! Especially if you are creating art to last through the decades or even centuries!
​
I thought I’d answer with an art supply demonstration of 7 ADDITIONAL sealants and mediums so you can decide for yourself which looks like the best fit for you!
​To demo the differences, I created 8 mini canvases using my tried and true mixed media “Hamburger System.” Did you get my FREE Hamburger System Cheatsheet yet? It tells you exactly HOW to layer your mixed media art supplies so you can make a masterpiece, instead of a hot mess! 

Simply click the button below and I'll send it straight to your inbox!
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I must confess, I LOVE THESE little canvases! Here you can see them after I completed the first layer of ink and prepared them for their first layer of sealant! 
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 After my ink layer, I added a few scribbles with my Stabilo All pencil (so I could test how well the sealant reacted with a super watersoluble supply like the Stabilo!), then tested one of the following on each canvas:
  1. Mod Podge,
  2. Kamar Varnish,
  3. Liquitex Matte Medium,
  4. Liquitex Gloss Medium & Varnish,
  5. Soft Gel Medium by Golden (gloss),
  6. Gloss Medium by Golden,
  7. Isolation Coat by Golden, and
  8. Weldbond Universal Adhesive.
Which do you think will win my SEAL of approval?! I know…couldn’t help myself ;)
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Here you can see the full line up! Any products you recognize? Any that you don't? What do you think will work as well as Mod Podge? 
​
Here's the line up of vases after having been tested with each product!
So cute!

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I'll give you a hint... 

​One of these mediums TOTALLY surprised me and one I was COMPLETED DISGUSTED by.  
​
​Watch the full video to see! 
Wanna binge watch the entire Hamburger System Series on YouTube? Click the link to watch the whole playlist. 

I had so much fun with this series, I actually turned it into a book (affiliate link). Happy art-ing!

If you love this video and creating mixed media portraits, you might just LOVE my Mixed Media Society art club over at Awesome Art School. Click here to learn more about The Mixed Media Society, and to get notified when enrollment opens!

❤️ CHECK OUT ALL my art books on AMAZON
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The Complete 411 on Your Mixed Media Art Supplies.

6/12/2019

33 Comments

 
I have SO much information to share with you in today's tutorial as we dive into layer 3 of my Hamburger System! Before we pick up where we left off to power through "the ugly stage" of my latest mixed media portrait - I want to teach you EVERYTHING I know about mixed media art supplies.

Artist-grade? Lightfast? Fugitive? What does it all mean? Does it matter which brands I buy and from where?

The answer is 1000% YES!

What you learn today may mean the difference between cracking open your art journal years from now and crying tears of shock and disappointment or tears of joy and remembrance!

If you make art to give away as gifts or sell, you REALLY need this information.
​
I went a LITTLE overboard with my SUPPLIES GUIDE cheatsheet for YOU today … by about 9 pages! Don't let that scare you :) It's gonna totally help you understand what watersoluble art supplies play nicely together in mixed media projects, which brands are the best, and how they change when something liquid (like water or mod podge) is added. 

Simply click the button below and I'll send the FREE Supplies Guide straight to your email inbox. 
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Watch for my fav time-saving techniques on how to blend skin tones with acrylic paint and my other favorite water-soluble supplies! SECRET: Blending with acrylics is really tough. I actually skip the acrylics here, grab my creamy gelatos or art crayons by Marabu, and blend with my finger!

It’s SUPER easy and a much faster way to blend. (Skip to 22:39 if you’re in a hurry) Today’s download will also help you save money on art supplies because I've listed brand names you can trust to deliver the best professional grade art supplies, and have explained when you can cut costs by using craft grade versions.

​So whether you enjoy making mixed media projects on canvas or in your art journals, the comprehensive list of the best art supplies (both artist and craft grade) that I will be going over, will help you to make the best-informed decision about what to choose when you're out shopping next week! 
I enjoyed creating the Hamburger System Series SO much that I turned it into a book (affiliate link)! It's now available on Amazon.​​
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33 Comments

    Karen Campbell

    Founder of Awesome Art School.  Mixed Media Artist.  Author of 18 Instructional Art Books!

    Posting on YouTube every single Wednesday of the year!  

    The Alliance of Independent Authors - Author Member

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"Karen is flipping hilarious and she's very real...I like the way she teaches in a way that really gives you confidence, whether you're a beginner or advanced there's always something new to learn!"

- Elizabeth W.

What Fans Are Saying

Karen, you are absolutely fabulous! You make me feel like I can draw anything. I have recently retired and finally have the time to do some of the art that I have loved since I was in school. I am really at the beginning of my art journey and I hope to learn as much as I can. Thank you for all you do.

​-Jill Y.

I ordered your Fun Fab Faces book and loved it! I was having a little trouble getting the noses I wanted and now it's easy! Also, I love how you stressed how important having the three tones in your drawing is. Thanks a bunch!

-Donna L.

Thank you Karen! I never though I could do faces. You broke it down so it was understandable! And I love your book! I got it yesterday! Can't wait to start practicing! It's so much fun!!!!!

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Thank you for the encouragement to get back into my drawing and painting. After being away for 35 years.  THANK YOU.

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Contact ME

  • HOME
    • About Me
    • Courses
    • Add your art to Instagram!
    • Fan Artwork
    • Retreats
    • What Students Say...
  • Drawing Club
    • See ALL the Projects!!
  • MIXED MEDIA SOCIETY
    • See ALL the Projects!!
  • CELTIC COLLECTIVE
  • Books
  • Blog