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I KNOW you've seen these foam heads in your local craft store before. But have you ever picked one up and brought it home to create some mixed media art?!
These funny foam heads have WAY more purposes than you'd think :) From Halloween decorations (heck ya - see the black widow girl in the far right below?!), to eye-glass holders (much-needed, thank you), or something that's plain old FUN to liven up a boring corner of your house! 
*All product links are affiliate and for U.S. residents only.*
I've made quite a few mixed media foam heads over the years, and am excited to make a new one today! I hope you enjoy this EXTRA FUN experience on YouTube today because this entire mixed media art tutorial is step-by-step so you can join in the fun and create along with me at home :)
Supplies Needed
Use what you have and love at home! Here's what I'm using:
Click here to start the full step-by-step mixed media art tutorial in my signature "Hamburger" style! 
Not sure what I mean by Hamburger System? This is my tried-and-true mixed-media layering process for creating mixed-media masterpieces EVERY TIME. Wanna try it at home with me?
Grab my Hamburger System cheatsheet and follow along layer by layer just like you're following a recipe. 
I love the Hamburger System SO much, I turned it into a book :)
Feel free to grab that on Amazon if you'd like to dig a little deeper into how your supplies work, and how to combine them successfully to create art YOU love! 
Back to today's project! As you can see in the first step - I'm layering tissue paper with TONS of mod podge under and on top to eliminate as many wrinkles as possible. Then, I use my hair dryer to make sure it's completely dry before moving on to my acrylic paint layer.
Once it's dry, it's time to choose the color scheme for my acrylics. Lots of my students get overwhelmed with how to make this decision. There are SO many colors in the rainbow (these are some of MY faves!!), how can you ever decide which ones to use with confidence?!
I'm SUPER literal about this decision every time, and simply look to my collage materials for guidance. I've found this to be a fail-safe way to create, and it never lets me down! Typically I pick 3 colors from my collage paper and move on! Today I decided to zero in on a lighter variation of my hot pink because it looks a little more like skin tone to me, and that's what I'm in the mood for :) 
Click over to watch exactly which brushes I'm using, and which mixed media art supplies come next! If you don't have brushes for acrylic paints, these are great - just choose what size you want. For lots of coverage for something like today's project, I'm using a big fat version, like a #20.
Stay with me till the end of this FUN tutorial because there are LOTS of SPARKLES coming this foam head's way :) She even gets a nose ring (below left!). Go grab your supplies and come get creative with me!! 
Want MORE Projects Like This?
You might just love my Mixed Media Society art club over at Awesome Art School! We'll dig deep into the world of mixed media art supplies to understand their qualities, and more importantly HOW to use them together to create mixed media art we can be proud of on canvas, in art journals - you name it! Learn more and get notified next time we're open for enrollment here!
What to Watch Next...
Wanna learn MORE about my Hamburger System? This FREE video series on YouTube has SO much to teach you!! I start at the very beginning to teach you about what surfaces you can art on, and how to layer each step of my process - just like a recipe for building the perfect burger :) Check it out!!
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Hey there!! Are you ready for a creative adventure? Today we're delving into the world of water-soluble drawing supplies and are gonna have a blast creating our very own craggy castle ruins!
I'm going to be using an elegant writer (felt tip calligraphy pen), but you can use any kind of water-soluble marker or pen you have lying around at home. Not sure if you've got any water-soluble art supplies at home? Keep reading, because I'm gonna help ya find one!! 
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.
In less than one hour, I'm going to go over NINE key concepts
in this FREE mixed media art lesson including:
Let's set the mood for a relaxed and enjoyable experience, shall we?
Forget about perfection and masterpieces – today, it's all about having fun and exploring the amazing properties of water-soluble materials. We're gonna let our inner second-grader shine through, embracing the joy of creating without any pressure. 
Not sure if you have any water soluble drawing supplies lying around the house? How about a felt tip pen? Most of us have one of those hiding in a drawer somewhere, and guess what?
They're water soluble! Yep, just draw a line and add water to it with a paintbrush – it will melt like magic! Now, let's talk about the materials that can take our creativity to the next level. If you happen to be an artsy, fartsy person with a collection of art supplies (lucky you!), there are some fantastic options to consider. 
One of my personal favorites is the Elegant Writer (above, which I'll be using today) – a watersoluble calligraphy pen. It does come in a variety of colors, but trust me, I've played with them all, and the only one well worth your time is BLACK.
Mixed media art supply lovers may also have Fineliners, Tombow markers, Neo Color IIs, watercolor pencils, watercolor markers, or a Stabilo all black pencil (if you've been hanging with me for a while - you definitely have one of these!!). Any of these supplies are an excellent choice for today's castle ruin project. Don't have any fancy art supplies? You can still have a TON of fun using any regular old pencil! 
When it comes to paper, anytime you're doing a mixed media project that involves water, I suggest you work on watercolor paper because it can take way more layering than mixed media paper and holds up beautifully.
As far as watercolor paper goes, you've got choices. Cold press watercolor paper or hot press watercolor paper would both work beautifully for this activity. Cold press offers more texture and holds more water, so I'd go with this option if you plan to do multiple layers. Hot press doesn't really have any texture to it, and is super smooth. What you choose today is entirely up to you, and your artistic preference! To learn more about watercolor paper and see each type of paper in action, check out this recent video. 
Alright, let's dive into the techniques we'll be using to bring our craggy castle ruins to life. No rulers or erasers allowed – we want those wonky lines, uneven shapes, and rustic charm. Embrace the imperfections!
Make sure you watch today's video so you can draw along with me in real-time. Then, get ready for the magic – we're gonna activate the elegant writer ink by applying water selectively to just one side of our drawing using a watercolor brush!! You're gonna LOVE watching the ink melt into stunning shadows, adding depth and sophistication to your work! 
As you can see in the above pic, I'm using my FAVORITE watercolor brushes by Polina Bright. Learn more about why I'm obsessed with them here, or get a set for yourself at 10% off here when you enter my name (KarenCampbell) as the coupon code at checkout.
For all you pencil lovers out there, fear not! A blending stump, cuetip, or your finger does an amazing job of adding dimension to your drawing when you're ready to start shading. 
Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. Embrace the process, enjoy the unpredictability of your water soluble marker if you've got one, and let your creativity guide you.
There's no right or wrong way to approach this – it's all about exploring, playing with your supplies, and adding your personal touch to those craggy castle ruins.
Once you've completed your masterpiece, don't keep it to yourself! I'd LOVE to see your work!!
?www.facebook.com/groups/awesomeartschoolPost a pic of your craggy castle ruins in my Facebook group ?Or tag me on Instagram @KarenCampbellartist I'm genuinely excited to see what you create!! Want Another FREE Elegant Writer Project?
Loved This Castle Project & Want MORE?
You might just LOVE my Celtic Collective art club with Lucy Brydon over at Awesome Art School. EVERY project in this club is inspired by castle ruins like today's piece, fairies, mythical creatures and fantasy!
?Check out The Celtic Collective & add your name to the waitlist to be notified next time we're taking on new members! 
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Karen CampbellFounder of Awesome Art School. Mixed Media Artist. Author of 19 Instructional Art Books! 
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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 SayingKaren, 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. |
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