KAREN CAMPBELL, ARTIST
  • 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

blog

Let's Get Your Creative Juices Flowing!!!

20 MIXED MEDIA COLLAGE BACKGROUND Ideas that will CHANGE the way you do ART!

8/11/2022

0 Comments

 
Creating a mixed media collage background is SO MUCH FUN and happens to be the first layer of my signature mixed media process called the Hamburger System.

​Recently I received an email from a viewer asking me WHAT materials work best for collage backgrounds. I have hundreds of ideas, but here are my TOP 20 FAVORITES to use on canvas OR in my mixed media art journals!
Picture
Do you love collage or have always wanted to try it in your art, but aren't quite sure how to do it without making a HOT MESS? You need my FREE Hamburger System cheatsheet.
Picture
If you're new to mixed media, collage, art journaling, mixed media on canvas - any or ALL of it, my Hamburger System is gonna rock your art world! You'll learn my tried and true process of how to create a mixed media MASTERPIECE every time. It's simple, step-by-step, tells ya exactly WHICH supplies you need, and did I mention it's SO MUCH FUN?! 

Click that button above or click here and I'll email my Hamburger System cheatsheet straight to your inbox!
​Before we continue, super quick announcement: All product links are Affiliate. I may earn a small commission if you choose to order through these links but by law there is never any additional cost to the consumer for doing so. I thank you for your support.
Picture
My Hamburger System series on YouTube has been watched by over 140,000 people and even became a book, available on Amazon.

I LOVE starting my mixed media canvases and mixed media art journal pages with a layer of collage! There's something so simple and relaxing about this process that connects me with my inner child. It's honestly pretty brainless and kinda serves as an art warmup to get my head into a creative space. 
Picture
Collage is also one of the BEST things to do to bust through creative block whenever it strikes (and trust me- it hits ALL of us). 

Here are my TOP TEN favorite mixed media collage materials. Make sure you scroll down and watch the video to see TEN MORE ideas and watch a super fast mixed media collage tutorial I think you're gonna love!!
Picture

Scrapbook Paper

I LOVE a good scrapbook paper pad. This is the perfect collage material for people who have a hard time picking papers that go together and those who might be in a hurry or feeling lazy who just wanna grab and go!

With scrapbook paper, the work has already been done for you because EVERYTHING in the scrapbook paper pad only features colors and patterns that go together. All YOU have to do is pull out your favorites and start ripping. 
Picture
Scapbook paper even tells you exactly what color paints to use for your acrylic layer! It's awesome :) 

Make sure you click over to the video to see the mixed media collage examples I show you of how I incorporated scrapbook paper into BOTH the background and foreground of a mixed media portrait on canvas. 
Picture

Phone Book Pages

This adorable mixed media fox painting was originally done on an upcycled record jacket I found in a thrift shop. I used the record jacket as my canvas. If you look closely at the pillow I had made of this canvas, you'll see some type in the background. Those are just phone book pages! So simple, right?!
Picture
Picture

Sheet Music

Sheet music collage is a favorite of mine, super cheap, and beautiful to use in both the background and foreground of your mixed media art.

You can either turn an old book of sheet music from a thrift shop into an altered book art journal or rip old sheet music into collage pieces like I did below.

Isn't it beautiful how the music notes peak through the skin tones in the painting? 
Picture
If you wanna create the piece above with me, it's one of the projects in my Mixed Media Magic book over on Amazon. Check it out!!
Picture
Picture

Dictionary Paper

I LOVE a vintage dictionary! The really old ones have a yellow tone to them and rip SO easily for collage. They also have a distressed look to them already because they're old. I think these are fun to have peaking through the background in a mixed media face, or to use strictly in the background. Your options and endless (and SO CHEAP) here!
Picture
This art deco mixed media portrait project is available at Awesome Art School as a stand-alone project if you'd like to create along with me!
Picture

Masking Tape

Lots of people don't even think of masking tape as a collage element, but it's weirdly a perfect surface to art upon and creates a lovely texture to your art. It also accepts gesso, acrylic paint, and all the mediums you would typically reach for to create mixed-media art. 

Look closely at the piece below and you'll see some subtle, horizontal lines from my masking tape collage layer. 
Picture
Create her along with me or just watch because it's fun!
Picture

Trash!

You can totally use TRASH as a mixed media collage element. Hilarious, right?!  I've enjoyed using beer bottle labels (I love to collect these when I travel), foil candy wrappers (shown below), discarded tissue paper from a gift, you name it! 
Picture
See this project being made in my cereal box art journal or create along with me.
Picture

Fabric

I once found this pretty fabric with an adhesive backing to it that peeled off like a giant sticker. I used that to create the background of this fun Bathtub Babe in my cereal box journal. Don't be afraid to think outside the box with the collage elements you choose!
Picture
Picture

Washi Tape

Washi tape is SO fun to use in mixed media collage. I love how there are SO many fun colors, patterns and thicknesses of washi tape. I use it a lot like how I use scrapbook paper. Sometimes it's strictly in the background. Other times I've used washi tape in the foreground as hair or clothing (like the tutu below) and it looks SO awesome! 
Picture
Washi tape doesn't always adhere the best, so you'll want to go over it with a sealant to keep it in place. 
Picture

Maps

Maps are becoming SO old school now, but they can be such a fun way to create an art piece based on a place you visited or want to visit. In this one, I have elements from a map of Inverness, covered them in gesso, and went to town. 
Picture
Picture

Duct Tape

You may not even know this, but duct tape comes in SO many fun patterns now!! I've used this kinda like I use washi tape- in the background or foreground.

​In this Mixed Media Retro Girl project, I carved out my entire girl so I could use this fun camper duct tape for her clothes, shoes and hair. So cute, right?! 
Picture
Just a quick warning on using duct tape as a mixed media collage element - it's super glossy, so can be tricky to paint on top of. Just make sure you seal it so the paint doesn't peal off when you're done. ​
This is only HALF my list!!

​
Make sure you click over to watch today's video to find out what my other TEN mixed media collage elements are. I KNOW there are some you haven't considered yet and just might love!!
​Need more resources to get your creative juices flowing?
​
❤️ CHECK OUT ALL my art books on AMAZON
❤️ CHECK OUT ALL my online art classes @ Awesome Art School
❤️ MY FAVORITE ART SUPPLIES on AMAZON (affiliate links)
❤️ MY BELOVED FACEBOOK GROUP
0 Comments

THE SECRET to EASY WRINKLE FREE Mixed Media Collage Backgrounds with TISSUE PAPER!

19/11/2020

1 Comment

 
Mixed media collage backgrounds with tissue paper are EASY to create and can add gorgeous texture to your mixed media art journal. Today’s video is a 45 minute, FULL LENGTH mixed media project, so if you love collage mixed media art & mixed media tutorials - this is for YOU!

I know what you’re thinking about collaging art journal backgrounds with tissue paper ... those WRINKLES, those BUBBLES, or worse yet - the rips!! Don’t worry - I've got collage techniques that will make your thin tissue paper BEHAVE so the texture of your collage background can PEEK through your mixed media portrait, without taking over your whole art journal page!
Picture

To get some inspiration flowing for this project, I flipped back through one of my favorite art journals of all time.

I discovered every single page had started with collage! I don't think I even knew that before!!

For me, collage is  something I naturally gravitate to - to start a project. It's like a mindless art warmup. It sets the color scheme for my project, gives me a second to breathe and takes me to my creative happy place!!

Before we continue, super quick announcement: All product links are Affiliate. I may earn a small commission if you choose to order through these links, but by law there is never any additional cost to the consumer for doing so. I thank you for your support! 
Picture

​Like I often do, today, I'm working in my Strathmore Watercolor Journal because every single page of this sucker can really take a beating! This is my 4th one THIS YEAR!! I use them for drawing, watercolor, ink, juicy mixed media layering- this paper can take ALL of it.

I found this little scrap pack pictured above, and decided to use these cute little tissue paper squares to get going on today's art journal page background. Shockingly, I chose to line them up a bit methodically. If you've been hanging out with me for a while, you know this is SO NOT ME, and I can see you laughing right now at how much this challenges me!

When I do collage - no matter what material I'm working with- I spread out my pieces fairly evenly and "take turns" alternating colors and patterns, to spread the love!
Picture

​Tissue paper is REALLY porous, so it's fantastic for collage because the adhesive really soaks in. 

I'm using matte medium for my adhesive- for SO many reasons. I know I can sound like a broken record here - but it's so awesome for mixed media collage -especially if you plan to paint with acrylics on top, or even think you might go that route.

If you're a mod podge fan (like me!), don't worry - I have plenty of times I reach for that as well, just not usually for my first layer. If you haven't seen my video about how to know when to use Mod Podge vs Matte Medium - it's super helpful! 

Now...onto today's mixed media background with tissue paper! If you've done tissue paper collage and had any issues in the past, I HEAR YOU!  It's super easy to get not only WRINKLES, but bubbles. You definitely don't want bubbles because those can pop and leave a hole in your piece.

If you've experienced tissue paper ripping in the past while you're collaging art backgrounds in your art journals or  on mixed media canvases - I've got some tricks up my sleeve for YOU!
Picture




My BIGGEST SECRET is actually so simple...

Use a TON of adhesive.  That's it! Seriously!!

I've got so many students and artsty friends who use their products sparingly. This is one you DON'T want to be precious with ;)

If you want to make an AWESOME mixed media collage background (and that's what we want, or why are we doing this?!), you need to use a TON of product. In this case-  matte medium- both under AND over your collage chunks! 
Picture

If you're new to mixed media - you'll soon find out, it's equally as much about creative problem solving as it is about planning and execution.

I'm ALWAYS running into issue I need to solve, and today is no exception. 

Take a look at this....
Picture

I know the pic is a little fuzzy, but you can TOTALLY see there are fibers from my tissue paper scraps hanging off the edge of my foam brush. EWWWW! 

I had NO idea that was gonna happen. But I was already in it to win it.

I kept going and tried to use this time to think about how I could intentionally work WITH the fibers or bury them! 

I know things always have a way of working out, so didn't stress. When these happen to you (AND THEY WILL!) just keep your confidence up, learn to pivot, and go with the flow! A solution will present itself to you.

While I was thinking about these crazy tissue paper fibers, I started thinking about the other types of tissue paper I could've used including my favorite Tim Holtz collage tissue paper. Suddenly, I had a solution.  ​​​​​
Picture

I tried a few different sheets of tissue paper from my Tim Holtz stash and ended up using my absolute favorite style that I have from him with the music notes and butterflies.

I actually like to glue this down as one whole sheet. There is a little bit of an art to this- so be sure you watch the video if this is something you want to try with your own tissue paper art. 

My secret? 

The same as before. Use MORE matte medium. Underneath AND on top. In this case - more is better! 

Seriously... check out how much matte medium I'm glopping onto my art journal page right now for my BOTTOM layer! You want it to be SOAKING wet. ​
Picture
If you're getting wrinkles, and bubble especially - you're not using enough product. It's kind of like wallpaper.  
Picture

Once you work your sheet down, it's time for a massage.

Work out the bubbles that appear from your bottom layer of matte medium, and become one with your art piece for a few minutes! 
​ Use your fingers to spread out each bubble - and work your way across the page until they're gone.

I put SO much adhesive down that while I'm massaging my bubbles down, the glue is rising up through my paper. That's a good thing! 
Picture

​You have a little window of time to do the smoothing out. Once it's drying - you just can't move it anymore. It will rip.

I had a student ask me the other day how long she needs to wait for her matte medium to dry before moving on to the next layer.  My answer to that is - I never wait!! LOL.

I just grab my hair dryer and let it blow until my collage feels dry when I touch it. I use a hair dryer instead of a heat gun because I feel like the air flow makes the drying process go faster. Sometimes heat from a heat gun can be too intense, and can even be damaging to certain products.

So for me - I'm all about the hair dryer- it's fast, safe, and effective.

Picture

I decided to use my face template that I made ages ago to draw a face over my fun new background! The easiest way to use the template is to grab a sheet of graphite transfer paper, lay it dark side down, and put the face on top. Then just trace over my lines of the face I drew for you with your pencil.

The drawing will show up on your collage background. Awesome right?! 
Picture

If you're new to drawing or don't love drawing faces, but want to try playing around with one in your own art journal? Please feel free to download my face shape template! 
Get Karen's Free Face Shape Template
Picture

I decided to lay down a little gesso in the face shape area before doing the full transfer of the facial features in my template because I had a lot going on in my collage and it was too hard to see my transfer lines. I love using gesso INSTEAD of white acrylic paint for something like this because there is a level of transparency with gesso, and I will still be able to see the collage peeking through the face I create.
Picture

Once my gesso was dry, I grabbed my all time favorite -stabilo all pencil and started drawing!
Picture

If you're new to using a stabilo - be forewarned that these are SUPER reactive! I love that effect, but it tends to freak out many of my students. It WILL react to water, gesso, matte medium, mod podge, paint- whatever you throw at it.

​Since I'm using matte medium to activate today- it actually "freezes" whatever I do here in place. 
Picture

​I drew in a quick bun and drug a little matte medium through this area, then worked some of the leftover gray on my paintbrush into the face as shading. 
Picture

I thought about leaving her black and white, but decided to smudge some gelatos in to add a bit of color. 
Picture

Remember each time you add a color - you want to repeat it somewhere. You should also always look to the colors in your background for inspiration. These become your color palette. Each time you repeat your background colors- you unify your piece. Take a look at how she pops when I add a touch of blue to her eyes...
Picture

After I sealed this layer with more matte medium, I pulled out my pentel pocket brush to doodle some details like eyelashes, etc.  Then I decided her lips needed to be redder, so pulled out some acrylics. I loved the way that looked so kept going - adding a touch of blue to her eyes, and a bit of yellow to the butterfly at her neck.
Picture

​Cute, right?! I hope you enjoyed today's tutorial!!  I sure did!! Super easy, and a FUN, artistic release!!

See ya on Monday for the next Whimsical Women of the World drawing tutorial over on my Drawing Channel!! ​
1 Comment

EASY Mixed Media Collage with Vintage Book Pages!!

12/11/2020

0 Comments

 
I LOVE creating mixed media collage backgrounds using vintage book pages! They're EASY to create, and SUPER CHEAP because you can upcycle old books from your local thrift shop for next to nothing.  Today’s video is another FULL LENGTH project, so if you love collage mixed media art & mixed media tutorials - this is for YOU!

What inspires you with creative ideas for your art projects? I'm often inspired by objects in my environment!

Today's project all got started with a glance at my 1950s record player that hangs out in the corner next to my studio. See it there to the right over my shoulder? 

​
Before we continue, super quick announcement: All product links are Affiliate. I may earn a small commission if you choose to order through these links but by law there is never any additional cost to the consumer for doing so. I thank you for your support!
Picture
 
​From the record player, my thoughts wandered to my collection of vintage books reserved for collaging mixed media backgrounds!

I totally LOVE thrift store shopping and digging around in used book stores in search of vintage dictionaries, old ledgers, magazines, books of sheet music, and books written in different languages!  I find these pages look AMAZING in the background of my mixed media art - just peeking through whatever I paint or draw on top!! 

When you're looking through this stuff for your own collage art - just bring home the ones that have pages with a super matte finish. These are the BEST for collage. The pages in these old books are super fragile and easy to rip. They're also really porous, which means they're gonna soak up whatever adhesive you want to throw at them! 

Some people might be horrified by me tearing up old book pages, but I don't feel bad because I'm breathing NEW LIFE into them by collaging art backgrounds! Plus, I only upcycle books and magazines that are in really bad shape- without a cover, with missing pages- stuff that is mostly garbage to other people.
Picture

​Your supplies for today's mixed media project are all pictured above. I'm working on wood canvas because I LOVE a hard surface when I'm doing collage art. A regular canvas has some "spring" to it, and that's not what I need here - I need a stable, sturdy surface that I don't have to be precious with.

I've also got my liquitex matte medium, my distress stains, stamps, ​a vintage magazine to upcycle as my collage paper, and my How to Draw Art Deco Style books out because I need a little more inspiration and direction regarding where I want this project to go! 

I'm feeling the need for something sparkly, but don't know what it is yet, so plan to flip through the section on sketching jewelry. 

Before I do that, I rip some chunks out of my vintage magazine. I feel like the sections with images are going to be too distracting, so steer clear of those parts. I also love using the CORNERS of these pages because then I have some nice hard lines to line up along the edges of my wood canvas.
Picture

Make sure you're using tons of matte medium under and on top of the chunks you're gluing down. If you don't use an "uncomfortable amount of product," this is how bubbles and wrinkles appear in your collage. Sometimes that effect is fun, and it's a personal preference too. Some people love that look, others don't. Using lots of adhesive under and over the collage paper is just one of MY TRICKS to keep the background as smooth and wrinkle free as possible while still showing a bit of texture.  

Wondering WHY I'm using matte medium instead of mod podge? TONS of students ask me this all the time, so if you're new to me be sure to check this reference out!! 
Picture

If I don't have a clear plan as to where a project is going (which I totally don't right now!!), I reach for matte medium as my adhesive because it's strong and specifically formulated to work with acrylic paint. Since I often paint with acrylics over my collage backgrounds, matte medium is my go to. 

As I continue getting my collage layer together, I begin thinking I might like doing some painting with fountain pen inks on top. Since these perform much like watercolor, I decide to pull out my absorbent ground to add a thin coat of this in the center of my collage. Absorbent ground preps any surface that isn't watercolor paper to accept watercolor or fountain pen inks. It's SO magical!! 

If you're not in the mood for watercolor or inks [SPOILER - OR if you watched the video already and saw I didn't actually end up using watercolor OR inks!!] - skip the absorbent ground and grab your gesso instead. 
Picture

All we want to do is add a thin layer of white to the center of our collage so we kick all those words into the background. We still want to be able to see them, so if you're following along, keep your layer transparent. You just want to be able to work ON TOP of the words and bring whatever becomes your subject into the foreground.

Once I'm finished adding a thin layer of absorbent ground to my wood canvas, I use my hair dryer to get the area completely dry.  Next, I move on to the stamp portion of the project because I'm in the mood to add a quote!! 
Picture



While I'm thinking about sparkle, I suddenly get the idea to add ACTUAL BLING to my project, and feel as if I'm 5 years old again. LOL! 

I taught kids FOREVER and have a TON of leftover supplies like these craft gems, pictured below. Some of them have adhesive backs. The big ones need a glue gun.  I have THE BEST TIME sifting through the gems and working out a color scheme in my mind. In no time, I'm on a roll, and moving on...
Picture

By the way, if you haven't thought of this already, this is THE PERFECT ART PROJECT to do with a daughter or GRANDDAUGHTER!! Can't you just see her eyes lighting up as she hunts for the perfect gem for her canvas?!

​I LOVE IT!! 
Picture

After I stamp out the bulk of my text, I play around positioning my main gem, then start drawing in a winding chain so it looks like the necklace is casually lying on my wood canvas.
Picture

Then I pencil in the main word from my quote... SPARKLE, and add even more tiny craft gems along my chain for added interest. 
Picture

You can use whatever you want to add detail in the chain and to the words of your quote. Paint pens and pitt pens would be great!
Picture

I end up falling in love with the look of a gold paint pen and keep that up throughout my piece for chain detail and to highlight the main word of my quote.
Picture

How CUTE is that?! 
Picture

I used my distress ink stamp pads along the edges and borders to give the piece a bit more of a vintage-y feel and think it adds a fun frame. 
Picture

​My finishing touch is to run my blending stump under the chain line of the necklace to give it a little shadow and depth.

​So love it, and so know exactly who I'm giving this to!!  
Picture

I hope you have as much fun doing this project as I did!! Be sure to share your work in our Facebook Group. I'd LOVE to see what you created!!  

​Thanks for watching!! See ya next week!!! 
0 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

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018

    Categories

    All
    #50FunFabFairies Drawing Challenge
    5 Minute Drawing Practice
    Acrylic Brushes
    Acrylic Painting Basics
    Acrylic Painting For Beginners
    Acrylic Painting On Canvas
    Acrylic Painting Supplies
    Acrylic Painting Tutorial
    Acrylic Paint Types
    Alcohol Ink Painting
    Alcohol Ink Tutorial
    Alcohol Marker Art
    Alcohol Marker Blending
    Alcohol Marker Brands
    Alcohol Marker Drawing
    Alcohol Markers By ArtBeek
    Alcohol Markers Tutorial
    Altered Book
    Altered Book Art Journal
    Art Book Reviews
    Art Deco
    Art Deco Drawing
    Art Deco Style
    Art For Beginners
    Art Heals
    Artist Collaboration
    Art Journal
    Art Journal For Beginners
    Art Journal Ideas
    Art Journal Inspiration
    Art Journal Page
    Art Journal Techniques
    Art Studio Makeover
    Art Supplies
    Art Supply Demos
    Art Supply Reviews
    Art Supply Storage
    Asian Eye Drawing
    Beginners
    Behind The Scenes
    Blackwing Pencils
    Blackwing Volumes
    Brush Pens
    Canvas Painting
    Cartoon Cat Drawings
    Cat Art
    Charcoal Drawing
    Charcoal Portrait
    Christmas Watercolor Ideas
    Collage
    Collage Ideas
    Collage Techniques
    Collage Tutorial
    Colored Pencils
    Copic Marker Alternative
    Copic Marker Art
    Copic Marker Drawing
    Copic Marker Tutorial
    Copic Skin Tones
    Copic Vs Ohuhu Alcohol Markers
    Craft Gem Projects
    Daniel Smith
    Daniel Smith Watercolor Palette
    Daniel Smith Watercolors
    Dip Pens
    Drawing
    Drawing A Baby Face
    Drawing Books On Amazon
    Drawing Cats
    Drawing Challenge
    Drawing Eyelashes
    Drawing Eyes In Pencil
    Drawing Faces
    Drawing Faces For Beginners
    Drawing Facial Features
    Drawing Female Hairstyles
    Drawing For Beginners
    Drawing Hairstyles
    Drawing Ideas For Travel
    Drawing Necks Realistically
    Drawing Pencils
    Drawing Tutorial
    Ear Drawing Practice
    Easy Acrylic Painting
    Easy Drawings For Beginners
    Easy Mixed Media Projects
    Easy Owl Painting
    EASY Watercolor Tutorial
    Ecoline Brush Pens
    Eyelashes Drawing
    Faber Castell Gelatos
    Faber Castell Watercolor Markers
    Face Chart Inspired Drawing Tutorial
    Face Drawing
    Face Drawing Practice
    Face Drawing Tutorial
    Face Shading
    Face Shape Drawing
    Face Sketch
    Fantasy Art Drawing
    Fantasy Art Drawing Projects
    Fantasy Art Painting Projects
    Fashion Face Drawing Tutorial
    Fashion Figure Drawing
    Fashion Illustration For Beginners
    Fineliner Tips
    Flip Throughs Of MY BOOKS
    Fountain Pen Ink
    Fountain Pen Ink Painting
    Free Art Lesson
    FREE Drawing Lesson
    Free Lesson
    FREE Watercolor Lesson
    Full Length Drawing Tutorial
    Full Length Face Drawing Tutorial
    Full Length Mixed Media Projects
    Fun Fab Drawing Club
    Fun Fab Fairies
    Gesso Brush
    Glass Dip Pens
    Gouache Meaning
    Graphite Transfer Paper
    Halloween Face Drawing Tutorial
    Halloween Projects
    Hamburger
    Hot Dog System
    How To Art Journal
    How To Choose Face Drawing References
    How To Color A Baby Face In Copic Markers
    How To Create A Watercolor Palette
    How To Draw
    How To Draw A 3/4 View Face
    How To Draw A Baby's Face
    How To Draw A Face
    How To Draw A Fairy
    How To Draw A Fairy Face
    How To Draw A Male Face
    How To Draw And Shade A Face In Copic Markers
    How To Draw And Shade A Whimsical African American Face
    How To Draw Art Deco Style
    How To Draw Asian Eyes
    How To Draw A Smile With Teeth
    How To Draw Bangs
    How To Draw Cartoon Cats
    How To Draw Dreadlocks
    How To Draw Ears
    How To Draw Expressions
    How To Draw Eyebrows
    How To Draw Eyelashes
    How To Draw Eyes Realistically
    How To Draw Fairy Ears
    How To Draw Figures
    How To Draw Freckles
    How To Draw Hair
    How To Draw Lips
    How To Draw Lips Realistically
    How To Draw Noses Realistically
    How To Draw Realistic Ears
    How To Draw Teeth
    How To Draw Wrinkles
    How To Paint Eyelashes
    How To Shade
    How To Shade DARK Skin Tones With Alcohol Markers
    How To Shade Faces With Alcohol Markers
    How To Sketch A 3 Quarter Portrait
    How To Sketch A Face
    How To Transfer A Drawing
    LARGE Canvas Painting Technique
    Magical Mashup
    Marker Tips
    Martini Glass Drawing
    Mermaid
    Mixed Media
    Mixed Media Art
    Mixed Media Art Ideas
    Mixed Media Art Journal
    Mixed Media Art Journaling
    Mixed Media Art Supplies
    Mixed Media Art Techniques
    Mixed Media Art Tutorials
    Mixed Media Backgrounds
    Mixed Media Brushes
    Mixed Media Canvas
    Mixed Media Challenge
    Mixed Media Collage
    Mixed Media Collage Background
    Mixed Media Drawing
    Mixed Media Eyes
    Mixed Media Faces
    Mixed Media Girls
    Mixed Media Hamburger
    Mixed Media Hot Dog System
    Mixed Media Ideas
    Mixed Media Paintbrushes
    Mixed Media Painting
    Mixed Media Portraits
    Mixed Media Project
    Mixed Media Society
    Mixed Media Techniques
    Mixed Media Tutorial
    Mixed Media Tutorials
    Mixed Media Watercolor
    Mixed Media YouTube
    Monochromatic Drawing
    My Favorite Art Supplies
    My Favorite Watercolors
    New Book!
    No Draw Mixed Media Art Project
    Noodler's Ink
    Nose Drawing Practice
    Ohuhu Alcohol Markers
    Old Book Crafts
    Owl Painting
    Paint Brush Types
    Painting On Canvas
    Painting With Ink
    Paint Markers
    Palette Knife Painting
    Pan Pastels
    Paper Napkin Art Journal Background
    Pencil Drawing Tutorial
    Portrait Drawing
    Portrait Drawing Tutorial
    Posca Alternatives
    Posca Paint Pens
    Profile Drawing
    Quadrant Method
    Reference Drawing
    SEE INSIDE MY Art Books!
    Shading Faces
    Sheet Music Art
    Side Profile Drawing
    Side View Drawing
    Silver Black Velvet Brushes
    Sketching Tutorial
    Skull Watercolor Tutorial
    Spray Paint On Canvas Idea
    Stabilo All Pencil Projects
    Stenciling & Stamping Techniques
    Three Quarter View Face
    Time Lapse Drawing Video
    Tissue Paper Art Journal Background
    Tombow Brush Pens
    Tombow Mono Zero Eraser
    Toned Paper Drawing
    Travel Art Supplies
    Upcycled Art
    Upcycle Old Books
    Value Scale Drawing
    Vintage Book Pages
    Watercolor
    Watercolor And Colored Pencil
    Watercolor Brushes
    Watercolor Fairy
    Watercolor Markers
    Watercolor Marker Tips
    Watercolor Marker Tricks For Mixed Media
    Watercolor Portrait
    Watercolors
    Watercolor Sets I Love
    Watercolor Supplies
    Watercolor Tutorial
    WatercolPainting Techniques
    Watersoluble Art Supply Tricks
    Water Soluble Markers
    Water Soluble Pencils
    What Is Mixed Media Art?
    Whimsical-christmas-tree
    Whimsical Face Drawing Tutorial
    Whimsical-face-drawing-tutorial
    Whimsical Women Of The World World Portrait Drawing Series
    YouTube Drawing Channel
    Youtube-giveaway
    Youtube-video
    Youtube-video

    RSS Feed

Picture
"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!!!!!

​-Debbie M.

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

- Teresa S.

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