Category: Full Length Mixed Media Projects

My Mixed Media MUST HAVES of ALL TIME (Plus LIVE Art Along Deets!)

23/4/2024

Are you ready to make art better than you ever could've imagined?! You can!! Join me LIVE on YouTube this Sunday, April 28th @ 2pm EST !! We will be creating this awesome art deco-inspired mixed media girl together, and I absolutely can't wait!

How to Paint an Art Deco Inspired Mixed Media Girl LIVE with Karen Campbell Artist

To get you totally prepared for this exciting, live art-along, I've dedicated today's YouTube video to explaining the supply list for Sunday (which just so happens to be FILLED with some of my all-time FAVORITE mixed media art supplies:)

Grab the Supply List HERE, or simply click the button below.

*All product links are affiliate & for U.S. residents only.*

What Surfaces Can You Create Mixed Media Art On?

I get asked all the time WHAT SURFACES are best for creating mixed media art. It really depends on what supplies you're gonna be using. If you're doing a full-blown mixed media piece with collage, acrylics, sealers and all the wet mediums, most people assume you need to be working on canvas. You totally can, but you can ALSO work on mixed media paper, in an art journal, or on cardboard.

The demo piece I created to prepare for next Sunday's LIVE art-along event was done on a GIANT sheet of watercolor paper :) I actually do a lot of my mixed media pieces in a watercolor sketchbook because heavyweight watercolor paper (140# or higher) is actually stronger than traditional mixed media paper and can hold pretty much ANY mixed media layering you throw at it :)

On Sunday, we'll be art-ing LIVE on canvas panel, which I LOVE using for mixed media collage because it's so STURDY!

Did I tell you yet that one of my good friends is coming over to ART with me on Sunday?! I'm so excited!!

Art Friends Karen Campbell & Mandi Brown Prepping for Karen's YouTube Speakeasy LIVE Art Along

Mandi and I have been friends for years and she loves to create just like me!! But- she's also got 3 kids, a job, and doesn't have endless time to dedicate to her art. She's never done this project before and will be learning step-by-step right along with you, so you don't have to feel alone :) We tried on our costumes together earlier this week!!

Aren't they FUN?!

My FAVORITE Collage Elements

In today's video, I also explain TWO of my all time favorite mixed media art supplies for collage: Liquitex matte medium and tissue paper!

I'm obsessed with matte medium for two HUGE reasons. One- it's got great adhesive qualities, which makes it work AMAZINGLY WELL as collage glue. And second- it's designed to work with acrylic paint, so it's the perfect "surface prep" for the acrylic paints I like to add on top of my collage layers.

Tissue paper works beautifully for mixed media collage because it's thin and adds tons of texture to your background without getting quite as wrinkley as napkins.

For Sunday's project, I grabbed some beautiful tissue paper on Amazon that looks like vintage postcards! You could also use old book pages for collage (the thinner, the better!). Or, you can get vintage printables from Etsy to use for collage!

The possibilities really are endless.

My Favorite Acrylic Paints to Make Things Look Vintage!

Since the tissue paper I got for the collage portion of Sunday's project wasn't "pre-yellowed," I decided to add acrylic paint on top to make it look older.

I recommend using transparent acrylic inks or high-flow acrylics because these aren't going to fully cover up the interesting collage pieces we added to the background of your painting.

Don't Know How to Draw?
I've Got an Amazing Solution for YOU!!

If you're new to my world - My WHOLE philosophy about creating mixed media art projects for my students to enjoy is to make them AS EASY AS POSSIBLE, so you can have FUN and get to your flow state FASTER!!

If you don't know how to draw, it's never a roadblock working with me.

On Sunday, we'll be using transfer paper to copy the reference image I've prepared for you, and will trace her RIGHT ONTO OUR CANVAS (or whatever substrate you choose to work on).

Carbon Paper Loved by Karen Campbell Artist

When it comes to transfer paper for mixed media layers, I highly recommend carbon transfer paper instead of graphite transfer paper because marks made with carbon transfer will appear black on your cavnas. When you're working on top of collage or acrylic paint layers, you really need a dark line from your traceable so you can see it on top of any previous layers :)

I think providing drawing aids like this are SUPER important to my mixed media students. That's why I include a traceable in every mixed media art lesson inside myMixed Media Society art membership over at Awesome Art School.

I don't want anyone to feel so intimidated that they don't create.

There are tons of members who just want to paint and experiment with different art supplies. Lots of them want nothing to do with drawing, and that's ok!!

Some people might say tracing is "cheating," but I really feel like it depends on the objective of your project. If your goal for a project is to focus on your painting skills, using a transferred image eliminates the pressure of drawing so you can get to the fun part and JUST paint already:)

For those who WANT to learn how to draw from scratch, I'm OBSESSED with drawing too, so I get it! I've got a YouTube Drawing Channel just for teaching people how to draw and an even MORE FUN online art membership called the Fun Fab Drawing Club where I teach students how to draw whimsical faces and SO MUCH MORE!

In fact, I've just created a drawing version of this project for my club members at Awesome Art School! If you'd like to do it with us, come on over and join the party!! We'd love to have you.

AWESOME ART SCHOOL.COM

What Else Do We Need for Sunday's LIVE?

Liquitex White Gesso Loved by Karen Campbell

Once our art deco girl is transferred to our canvas, it's time to "prime" her with a little white gesso and add acrylic paint. Gesso will magically pop our collage COMPLETELY into the background so nothing peaks out beneath her skin.

Next, I've got an amazing shortcut for face shading. Instead of using various acrylic painting techniques, we're using gelatos (watercolor chalk) to add a little drama. They look gorgeous on top of acrylic and make shading a cinch!

Once that's done, it's time for a little more acrylic paint for her dress and hair, followed by some mod podge to seal all our layers AND act as glue for our feathers and bling! Soooo fun!!!

We really hope you join us & can't wait to see what YOU CREATE!!

Want Even MORE Projects & Online Art Courses to Enjoy?

Check out the clubs at Awesome Art School:

Mixed Media Society

Fun Fab Drawing Club

Celtic Collective

LOVE the sound of ALL of them & can't decide which to try first?

TRY THE WONDER BUNDLE!

Get access to ALL 3 Clubs when you Buy 2 clubs & get ONE FREE!

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FREE Oil Pastel Mixed Media Tutorial for BEGINNERS (Ep. 2 in Series)

4/12/2023

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Welcome to my FIRST oil pastel mixed media tutorial! If you were hanging out with me on YouTube last week, I tested out 4 different oil pastel brands to see which ones I like best, and why. Now, it's time to put them to the test for my first oil pastel project! That's right - I'll be learning about how this medium works right along with you!

Everything in today's FREE online art lesson is in "real-time," which means the video won't be sped up at all, and you'll see me work step-by-step throughout the entire project and art along with me!!

*All product links are affiliate & for U.S. residents only.*

Ready to Art Along With Me?

Awesome!! Head over to Awesome Art School to grab a FREE download of today's reference image and supply list.

Let's get started!! Make sure you click over to the video to watch how to draw this cute winter fox with me step-by-step in pencil. Isn't he adorable?!

After you've drawn your fox, it's time to protect your hands before diving into shading with oil pastels.

I'm using a product called Gloves in a Bottle. It works kinda like hand lotion and just gives your hands a protective coating because the materials inside oil pastels (and oil paints for that matter), can be toxic depending on the brand you're using.

Once your hands are protected and dry, it's time to bust out the oil pastels! I'm using an oil pastel brand called Mungyo because it was my favorite of the 4 brands I tested last week. I felt like Mungyos also were the best value, giving me a whopping 48 beautiful colors for just ~$12.

I started today's shading in the fox's hat, using a dark blue here, and anywhere else I noticed this color in my reference image. (Grab the reference here if you didn't get it yet).

Working from dark to light, I added some lighter blue next to my dark blue, and followed it up with some white for highlights.

I found the white oil pastel to be helpful in blending and "smooshing" the two blues together. If you're not sure how to do oil pastel blending, don't sweat it! I wasn't either! Just try some things to see what works for you.

Last week, I tested a few different oil pastel blending techniques, and decided I really liked using a blending stump and my finger. I felt using my finger to push colors together and into the paper helped me get solid coverage without leaving any white of the paper showing (which can be kinda tricky working on textured, cold press watercolor paper).

I wasn't a fan of the jagged edges everywhere so decided to see if colored pencils could help me define them. It actually worked pretty well and helped make the eges of my fox hat start looking more sophisticated.

HOT TIP! Oil pastels are messy, and will smear into your skin and subsequently ALL over your paper as you work, if you're not careful. Keep a paper towel or scrap paper under your wrist to avoid smudges where you don't want them.

Make sure you click over to the video to see how I layered darker colors to add depth and continued working with my dark blue colored pencil along the edges throughout for definition.

HOT TIP: When it comes to white highlights (which I'm obsessed with in EVERY medium I work with), DO leave the white of the paper showing where you want your whitest highlights to appear.

Alternatively, you can go to 01:14:11 in today's video to watch how I used light colored pencil to carve through the pastel layers where I wanted highlights. Seconds later, I tested one of my etching/embossing tools to attempt creating the look of animal fur. This turned out sooooo cool and is something I highly recommend!!

After I added some finishing touches with my colored pencils, I decided to test using actual white OIL PAINT with my polka dot tool to create the white highlights in the eyes (1:24:20 in the video). I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how this turned out!!!

Don't those eyes jump just pop now?! Soooo cute!! I'm really happy I tried working with oil pastels and hope YOU enjoyed yourself too!

Are Oil Pastels Worth It?

I feel like there was definitely a decent learning curve trying oil pastels for the first time, but overall, it was super enjoyable!

Stay tuned for next week's oil pastel tutorial because I'll be painting a face in acrylics and shading it with oil pastels on top of the acrylics layer. I can't wait to see how this works!!

Want to Learn How to Mix Your Media
To Create Art You Can Be Proud Of?

I thought you'd never ask!! My "hamburger system" is my signature mixed media layering process that helps me achieve mixed media magic instead of a mess EVERY time I sit down to create :) Learn more about it in my MOST WATHCED playlist.

The first video alone has over 171K views!!

Need MORE Resources?

❤️ CHECK OUT ALL my art books on AMAZON
❤️ MY FAVORITE ART SUPPLIES on AMAZON (affiliate links)
❤️ MY BELOVED FACEBOOK GROUP

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MIXED MEDIA on a FOAM HEAD?!? Heck YES! Make this with me in this REAL-TIME tutorial!!

15/8/2023

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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:

1 super freaky Foam Head (yup, they're even on Amazon!! Here's another option with more realistic features!) You can also find these in your local craft store (Michael's and Joann's have them!). If you're outside of the U.S., you can also do a Google search or call around to your local craft stores, Walmart, or Amazon in your country.
Mod Podge OR Matte or Gel Medium or any glue that dries fast and CLEAR (I find mod podge helps to fill in the porous styrofoam a bit as I work!)
Tissue paper or napkins (also optional - I'll also show you different variations to use them if you don't like a "busy" look).
Acrylic paints of any kind/color
Pitt or Paint Pens are optional but nice to have for details and blending.
Foam Brushes are really nice to use for your mod podge layer

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!!

Need More Resources?

❤️ 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

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The Hamburger System: Your Foolproof Recipe for Creating GORGEOUS Mixed Media Art!

21/6/2023

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Hey there! Are you itching to try your hand at mixed media art but feeling a bit overwhelmed by the supplies and how to layer them successfully? You're in the RIGHT place!

I've got a solution that will make it super easy and fun for you. I call it "The Hamburger System," and it's seriously going to revolutionalize your approach to mixed media art (if it hasn't already!).

In my signature 7-step process, you'll learn MORE about your art supplies (what they do & if they play nicely with others), plus I'll teach you exactly how, and when to layer your supplies to set you up for mixed media success EVERY time you sit down to create.

Let's dive in!!

Need a Cheatsheet Before We Get Started?

I thought so!! Click the button below, and I'll deliver a 1-page, printable PDF straight to your inbox outlining each step of the Hamburger System.

Feel like you want an even MORE TANGIBLE way to understand the Hamburger System? I turned it into a BOOK so you can have the entire step-by-step process ready and waiting for you at your art table! Check it out on Amazon here.

Layer 1: Substrate

Back to today's video :) Our FIRST LAYER is super easy! It's the substrate or "plate" for our hamburger. A substrate is simply whatever surface you plan to create your masterpiece on. Canvas? An art journal, watercolor paper, altered book, or wood panel? One of the beautiful things about mixed media is there are SO many options to choose from!

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.

Layer 2: Collage

Collage is our second layer. It's is a SUPER FUN way to get in the mood to art, and a great way to move through creative block if you're feeling stuck or have no idea what you want to create yet.

Grab your matte medium (or any adhesive YOU like) along with a few sheets of scrapbook paper. Then rip the scrapbook paper into chunks and start gluing it to your substrate. I think collage is an awesome foundation for your piece and adds visual sophistication to your work!

Layer 3: Acrylic Paints (This Includes Stencils!)

Once you're done with the collage layer, it's time to bring out the paints! Acrylic paint is your best friend in the Hamburger System.

Lots of people ask me how I choose my paint colors for each project. Typically I look to my collage layer for inspo, and simply pull 3 shades of paint that match my scrapbook paper. Easy, right?

Once you've got your colors, add them throughout your collage layer wherever you want to jazz things up, or even cover something up that you don't like.

Feel free to experiment with different colors and techniques like stenciling to achieve the effect you're after.

Layer 4: Mark Makers

Here's where things get even more interesting. The magical mark maker layer is all about adding a focal point to your artwork. You can use any drawing tool you like—permanent or water-soluble (like the Black Stabilo All pencil I'm using in today's video) to create a foreground subject like a face, flower, or animal. No drawing skills? No worries! Many mixed media classes (LIKE MINE, in the Mixed Media Society!!) provide traceable templates to make it super easy for you.

Layer 5: Gel Sticks

Now, it's time for some serious shading. Enter gel sticks or gelatos! These highly pigmented sticks can be smudged with your fingers, creating beautiful shading effects. It's super easy to blend them to create realistic-looking shadows and depth. They're forgiving and allow for easy corrections, which makes them perfect for both beginners and experienced artists.

Layer 6: Pitt Pens

We're almost there! In the 6th layer of the Hamburger System, Pitt pens take the spotlight. These pens are fantastic for adding details, outlines, and more shading to your artwork. Their India ink pigments create rich and permanent lines, giving your composition that extra oomph. The best part? If you make a mistake or want to modify your design, Pitt pens are erasable with a baby wipe, so you have total control!

Layer 7: Sealer

You've already made it to the final layer!! Time to seal the deal! A sealer like Mod Podge ensures the longevity of your mixed media piece. Plus, if you want to remove or adjust anything you've applied with the Pitt pens, sealer makes it a breeze. Simply let that layer of mod podge dry, then make your adjustments with a second Pitt pen layer!

Not long ago I tested Mod Podge against SEVEN other sealers to see if there were any others I wanted to start working with. Check out what I learned and which glossy one I I fell in love with!

Voila! Isn't she adorable?! I hope you enjoy the Hamburger System as much as I do! It really has provided me with a structured and foolproof approach to mixed media art. It eliminates the fear of making mistakes and will truly give you the confidence to unleash your creativity!

Did you grab my Hamburger Cheatsheet yet? Here's that button again in case you need the link again!

Dying to TRY the Hamburger System with Me?!

I have SOOOO many fun mixed media projects waiting for you in my art club at Awesome Art School called the Mixed Media Society. Tons of them are "Hamburger Style" using the exact process shown today.

Add your name to the waitlist to be notified the next time I'm taking new members!

Wanna See MORE "Hamburger Style"
Mixed Media Art Projects on YouTube?

I thought you'd never ask... this playlist has your name on it!

Need More Resources?

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Super FUN Draw Along of a Castle Ruin in Elegant Writer!

24/5/2023

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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!!

In less than one hour, I'm going to go over NINE key concepts
in this FREE mixed media art lesson including:

What IS water-solubility?
How do you tell if your writing instrument or art supply IS water-soluble?
What is the Elegant Writer and how does it work?
What can I use if I DON'T have an Elegant Writer??
What paper should I use for this?
How do I do this project if all I have is a pencil?
How to draw a castle ruin and rocks!
How to depict realistic shading (and light sources)...
How to strategically use water to create the look of depth and dimension when using water-soluble art supplies.

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?

I thought you'd never ask... here ya go!!

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!

Need More Resources?

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FUN & EASY Mixed Media Project for Beginners with Derwent Graphitint Watercolor OVER Pencil

20/9/2022

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Today's mixed media project is PERFECT for mixed media beginners, watercolor beginners, and anyone curious about the Derwent Graphitint Paint Pan Pocket Set.

Adding watercolor over pencil drawings is a super FUN and EASY technique that can really make your drawings look more sophisticated.

Grab your watercolors and your fairy drawing to create along with me as I lead you step-by-step through simple face shading, creating magical hair, and an easy background in watercolor!

WANT 30 FUN Mixed Media Project Ideas with SIMPLE, tried, and true art supply combos like Watercolor over Pencil? Click the button below to download my FREE Hot Dog Packet!

Each mixed media idea in The Hot Dog Packet reads like a recipe with ONLY 4 art supplies, so it's perfect for mixed media beginners! Click the button above, and I'll send it straight to your email.

Use whatever watercolor set you have on hand to paint along with me. Today I'm trying a new set - Derwent's Graphitint Paint Pan Pocket Set.

If you've never heard of Graphitint before, it's a "unique blend of graphite paint with color for dramatic tonal work," according to the package.

To me- this set feels like muted nature tones, which is perfect for today's mixed media project.

As soon as I start to swatch these watercolors, they remind me of my granulating watercolors by Daniel Smith. They also look kinda dirty, which isn't a bad thing - you can just tell they have gray graphite in there for sure.

There isn't a skin tone in this set, but I feel like the shade called Russet will work. Watch as I add a light wash of this onto my fairy face drawing. (Wanna draw this fairy? Watch this first.)

I'm using my Polina Bright watercolor brushes (get 10% off Polina's watercolor brushes here) for this project. They're the only thing I use now! Find out why here.

Next I added a little Autumn Brown to accentuate the nose and creases of the eyes to add dimension. I love this technique of adding watercolor to an already shaded drawing. It's got this messy, grungey feel.

It's so freeing because you don't have to be "precious" about your work - just get in there, drop a light wash where you want some color, and call it a day.

I switched to a larger Polina Bright watercolor brush to do the hair in meadow green. If you struggle with how to paint hair (or draw it), I add color from root to tip, leave some white space, and add more color from tip to root.

Make sure you click over to the video to see this in action. It's such a cool effect, and SO easy to do - even if you're a beginner.

If you've been following me for a while, you know I HATE to mix watercolors. I know - it's ridiculous. I'm the only professional artist who won't do this. LOL.

I'm just lazy like that - I love to work straight from the pan, tube or whatever. It's faster and there's no guesswork about what color I'm gonna get!

I feel like this Derwent set could've used a nice dark forest green. Since it doesn't have one, I went out of my way (LOL) to mix one for the leaves in my fairy's hair.

I'm kinda loving my new Derwent Graphitint Paint Pan Set! It's perfect for doing projects like this - just adding some color to a graphite drawing.

If you've been following me for a while or are a student in one of my art clubs, you know I'm obsessed with my pentel pocket brush for drawing eyelashes and outlining.

I know many of my students are intimidated by it because it can be unpredictable and take some getting used to.

Recently I discovered a little sister product, the Pentel Arts Sign Pen with Micro Brush Tip. This is perfect for adding some finishing touches to today's piece.

I think it will also help those students intimidated by the Pentel Pocket Brush. This one has a much thinner bristle tip and is way easier to control to create daintier lines.

I hope you enjoyed today's full-length mixed media tutorial! Remember, if you want to draw this fairy- watch this video first:

When you've finished your drawing, watch this one to watercolor her:

Thanks for hanging out with me today! If you enjoyed this lesson, you might just LOVE my entire #50FunFabFairies drawing challenge. Here's the playlist in case you wanna check that out.

❤️ CHECK OUT ALL my art books on AMAZON
❤️ MY FAVORITE ART SUPPLIES on AMAZON
❤️ MY BELOVED FACEBOOK GROUP
❤️ FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM

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How to Make Your WATERCOLOR MARKERS BEHAVE for Mixed Media Projects!

29/8/2022

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Today's mixed media art tutorial might just blow your mind if you're a beginner. Not only will I show you how to use Faber Castell skin tone watercolor markers to shade a mixed media face, but you'll learn 3 UNIQUE WAYS to melt, blend and freeze the pigment from your watercolor markers so they BEHAVE in YOUR OWN gorgeous mixed media projects at home!

Got a new set of watercolor markers, colored pencils, pens or watercolors? It's SO important to SWATCH your new colors so you know what to expect when each color hits your page!

I've made this process MORE FUN for you by creating a FREE Swatchsheet! Simply click the button below, and I'll send it straight to your inbox.

LOVE swatching, and can't get enough?! Check out the book I created with my Facebook Group called The Fun Fab Swatch Pad. These playful pages will keep you swatching for days!

How to Use Watercolor Markers
to Shade a Mixed Media Face

I love using watercolor markers in my mixed media projects because I feel like I've got the control of a marker and the magic of watercolors in ONE art supply!

A couple of weeks ago I tried Faber Castell Watercolor markers for the first time and tested them against my Winsor Newtons. I was thrilled to discover the Faber Castell set has SO many colors, including SKIN TONES! I can't wait to try these out today...

To get the face shading of this project started, I studied my drawing reference to see where the darkest shadows sit naturally on the model's face. Then I strategically laid down brush strokes of color on my drawing to replicate what I saw. It's that easy!

How to Activate Watercolor Markers With Water

Typically when I activate my watercolor markers (or any water soluble marker, pencil or pen) with water, I simply wet a watercolor brush (these are my favorites, by Polina Bright), and run the brush over the lines where I want to create watercolor effects.

After I dipped my watercolor brush in water today, I pulled it through the skin tone brush strokes and pushed it around my portrait's face to create lighter skin tones throughout.

As you'll see in the video, the downside of working with watercolor markers is streakiness. Even if you try to blend streaks out with water, they never totally come out. When this happens to me, I usually reach for another art supply in my stash, like gesso.

When to Activate Watercolor Markers
With Gesso & Matte Medium

In case you're new to gesso, white gesso has a translucency to it that will allow an underlayer of a mixed media project (like collage or today's shading with watercolor markers) to peak through. White gesso also has just enough opacity to hide something in an underlayer that you're not crazy about (like today's streakiness).

White gesso is one of MY TRICKS that I use to make watercolor markers behave for my mixed media projects!

As you can see in the above pic, I dipped a different paintbrush into some white gesso to even out my underlayer of face shading. I changed my brush because gesso will RUIN your expensive watercolor brushes. Trust me!

HOT TIP: Whenever you work with gesso, make sure to use a cheap, stiff brush,like these.

Once my gesso layer was fully dry, I added a second layer of shading with my skin tone watercolor marker. This needed some blending too, but I wanted it to remain dark, so reached for my clear matte medium instead of more white gesso.

I almost always use matte medium as my "glue" for mixed media collage. Today, I'm using its adhesive properties to "freeze" my underlayers in place and to lightly blend my last layer of face shading. Cool right?

Using gesso and/or matte medium with other watercolor markers, watercolor pencils and watercolor pens can totally HELP YOU whenever these water-soluble art supplies aren't cooperating for you just by adding water!

How to Draw Hair with Watercolor Markers

If you're not sure how to draw hair with watercolor markers, make sure you click over to the video to see this in action. When I'm drawing hairstyles, I typically draw in a couple of pencil lines to guide the general outlline of where I wanted the hair to sit on my paper. If I'm shading in color, like today, I usually choose three different shades of the same color to create dimension with a light, medium and dark.

I activated the hair brush strokes with water to indicate volume and blend the shades together. Once this layer was dry, I added a few more brush strokes for definition and started shading the facial features.

Hot Press vs Cold Press Watercolor Paper
for Mixed Media Projects

Today's mixed media project is on hot-press watercolor paper. This paper is really smooth and can be quite beautiful for portraits. If you plan to do lots of layering (or collage), cold press watercolor paper is your best choice because it's kind of like working on canvas.

You can throw whatever you want at cold press paper, and it's gonna survive. Hot press is a bit more delicate. If you're not careful or get a little too aggressive with your paintbrush - you can work a hole into the paper. Learn more about mixed media paper for beginners in this video.

I hope you enjoyed today's project, and feel empowered to know you can use MORE THAN JUST WATER to get results you LOVE from your water soluble art supplies!

Remember, all mixed media projects are kind of a big experiment. They're free-flowing. Sometimes things go well, sometimes they don't! Don't freak out.

Keep going, try to chill out, and enjoy the process!

Thanks for hanging out with me today!

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Create DREAMY Skin Tones with Caran d'Ache Luminance Colored Pencils for Your Mixed Media Portraits!

16/5/2022

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Today I'm trying Caran d'Ache Luminance colored pencils for the first time to create a mixed media portrait ("Hot Dog Style"). I'm not normally a colored pencil artist because I prefer art supplies I can work quickly with, but YOU HAVE to SEE the DREAMY skin tone effects these colored pencils create - especially when burnished with a Derwent Drawing Pencil in Chinese White. SO glad I tried this idea on page four of my FREE HOT DOG SYSTEM packet from my talented artist friend, Sharon Holmberg!

Click the button below to download this FREE 32-page stack of ideas just filled with "Hot Dog System" tried and true mixed media art supply combinations created by myself and 20 of my artsy friends!

Today I'm trying some new colored pencils recommended to me from artist, Sharon Holmberg. Her favorite mixed media art supply combo is shared on page four of the FREE 32-Page Hot Dog Packet. Sharon loves to combine Caran d'Ache Luminance colored pencils with watercolor and a bit of collage for the mixed media faces she creates in her Strathmore Mixed Media Visual Journal.

Instead of drawing a girl's face from scratch today, I decided to save a little time, and cut out one of the female faces from the coloring pages packet in my Skin Tone Secrets book.

Before I start shading this face in, I need to swatch out my colored pencils so I know exactly what colors I'm working with.

Even though the swatch sheets in my coloring pages packet (you can download this for free if you buy my Skin Tone Secrets book), are from a book all about using alcohol markers- the swatch pages can be used for ANY art supply, and honestly, the shading patterns presented in this book can also be used with any art supply - as you'll see in today's video.

This is my "I -hate -my -life -right -now -and -my -hands -hurt -face." LOL. If you've been following me for a while, you likely already know I kinda despise colored pencils because they honestly just take too long for me and it's very detailed work, which I'm just not that into. I think I stuck it out for like 5-6 layers of face shading, and had to move on with my life. HA! That's just me.

If you have the patience for working with colored pencils- you do you!! I know they can create some absolutely gorgeous portraits, even from the little shading I did with them today!

The part that really makes Sharon's faces flawless (and something I tried today!) is "burnishing" - which basically means blending the skin tones shades and layers together to create a smooth, finished look. Sharon's favorite tool for this is a Derwent Drawing Pencil in Chinese White. Watch the video to see how beautiful this colored pencil blending technique and tool are in action!

I finished off my girl's face with alcohol markers in the lips, hair and eyebrows because I had to give up on the colored pencils. Even though colored pencils in general are NOT my favorite art supply, they seriously do create a dreamy look for skin tones so I'm super glad I tried it!

Next, I used a simple adhesive spray (shown above), to secure my mixed media face to a sheet of watercolor paper so I can watercolor a background around her. I used two watercolors by Daniel Smith to create my watercolor background: Ultramarine Turquoise and Sap Green.

After my watercolor background is fully dry, I cut some cute flowers out of scrapbook paper I had lying around and glued those down with matte medium ( another STAPLE in my mixed media art studio).

As you'll see in the video, I had a little mishap with my cut out flowers while my watercolor was still wet and it made a tiny drop of green watercolor land smack dab in the middle of my poor girl's nose! Not to worry- I'll show you exactly how to fix a watercolor painting mistake.

First I tried adding a little water on top of the spot to lift the color with a paper towel. That didn't work because this particular color is very staining. I decided to try white gouache because this is super opaque and I know will do exactly what I need it to do. Luckily the watercolor mistake I need to fix is located right on the nose of my portrait where a highlight would naturally go anyway- so it's all good! The gouache worked perfectly.

Since I was already using a bit of gouache on the nose of my colored pencil portrait, I decided to use more to tie the piece together by pulling a few streaks of white through her hair, to enhance her eye shine and make her lower lip pop. So fun!!

What I LOVE about this whole Hot Dog System, is that it encouraged me to reach out to other artists in my community to ask them about their favorite supplies and processes. If I hadn't done that, this exact project and video wouldn't even be happening!

So a huge thanks to Sharon Holmberg for sharing her secret, gorgeous process for shading adorable mixed media faces using only 4 art supplies! I totally love how this project has turned out.

SO stinkin' cute!!

Thanks for hanging out with me today!

❤️ CHECK OUT ALL my art books on AMAZON
❤️ MY FAVORITE ART SUPPLIES on AMAZON
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QUICK & EASY! Mixed Media Portrait in Stabilo All Pencil, Pan Pastels & Paint Pens ["Hot Dog" Style]

10/5/2022

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Creating mixed media portraits is one of my FAVORITE things to do! When I don't have a ton of time to art, I'll use my quick Hot Dog System to layer just FOUR mixed media art supplies.

I asked 20 of my artsy friends about the simple mixed media art supply combos THEY love and have TONS of FUN ideas to share with you in a FREE 32-page PDF (you're welcome!). This packet contains our BEST, tried and true, 4 art supply combos- "HOT DOG" style.

Click the button below to download this FREE 32-page stack of ideas just filled with Hot Dog System inspiration!

Today I'm testing a new-to-me mixed media art supply combo recommended by one of my artsy friends, Alexa. Straight outta the Hot Dog Packet on page 3 - we're combining my beloved stabilo all pencil with pan pastels and paint pens on cardboard. If you're a beginner in the world of mixed media art, or just curious about these tried and true art supply combos - today's video (and FREE 32-Page Packet ) are FOR YOU!!

Today's combination of mixed media art supplies comes from page 3 of the Hot Dog Packet, and is a recommendation by artist, Alexa Ali Doebler.

She's suggested we create on cardboard. Feel free to use the back of a cereal box, an Amazon box, whatever. You can also just as easily do this project in an art journal (preferrably one filled with watercolor paper because we'll be activating a water soluble pencil with water). It's up to you!

I'm using cardboard like Alexa suggested. To get this party started, I'm covering my cardboard "canvas" with some swaths of white gesso (skip this step if you're working in a watercolor sketchbook or journal).

As you'll see in the video, I'm using a cheap foam brush to apply it. These are amazing for SO many applications and can easily be washed out and reused for a long time.

Typically gesso is used as a primer for acrylic paint, and absorbent ground is the primer for watercolor and water soluble products. However, because I know the Stabilo All Pencil in Black SO well as a product, I know it will perform beautifully when layered over white gesso.

To draw in the face for today's mixed media portrait, I'm sketching her in with my mechanical pencil first. I find this super helpful because I can erase if I need to. If you don't have an eraser you love, this one is my favorite.

Today's sketch is quick and dirty because I'm more into trying out the art supply combo and seeing how the layers work together, than making the drawing my life's work!

I know her neck is totally wonky, but I'm just letting it be since I'm in a hurry. Try to ignore that for now, LOL.

To activate the stabilo, I'm using my favorite watercolor brushes by Polina Bright (check out this video for a full product review of them!). If you'd like to get a set for yourself, Polina has extended a coupon code to my followers for 10% off if you enter my full name in caps (KARENCAMPBELL) at checkout on her website or in her Etsy shop.

Something to remember about the stabilo is that is WON'T stop activating. Some of my students LOVE this... and some HATE it. I love that feature, but I just want you to be prepared for how it will behave before you try working with it if it's a new art supply to you.

Now it's time for pan pastels. I'm still SUCH a newbie with these- but that's ok! I'm ready to learn!

There's a cute little pan pastels applicator that looks like it fell out of an eye shadow compact. This will help you dab color on wherever you want it, and do some blending.

I spent a little time playing with the pastels - incorporating shading into the face and hair to add dimension. At this point in the project, I was also just experimenting with what the pan pastels were capable of and how they worked. They're actually really fun!

Then it was time to bust out the paint pens. I'm just using whatever is hanging out on my art table. I've got a white sharpie paint pen and dabbed on a few highlights with that, then added some outlining and scribbles with my black posca paint pen. Simple, fun and done!

I hope you enjoy this quick mixed media portrait tutorial! Have fun experimenting with your art supplies, and make sure you post your version in the Facebook Group if you do the project too!

Thanks for hanging out with me today!

❤️ CHECK OUT ALL my art books on AMAZON
❤️ MY FAVORITE ART SUPPLIES on AMAZON
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EASY & CUTE Mixed Media Idea for Fall [Full Length Tutorial - Easy Enough for Beginners]

15/4/2022

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If you're new to the world of mixed media art, you're in THE BEST PLACE!! I have so many mixed media ideas, tutorials & tips for you.

If you're intimidated by mixed media, or struggling with how to layer your supplies, I'd love to teach you my SIMPLE mixed media technique for layering my supplies (it's the exact process I used to create this adorbale fall fox!).

Simply download my FREE Mixed Media Hamburger Cheatsheet. I know, "hamburger" sounds funny - but I pile on my art supply layers one by one - like I'm making the perfect burger. Click the button below, and you'll see exactly what I mean!

After you click the button above, you'll get an email with your cheatsheet. Make sure you print it out because it's an awesome reference to keep at your art table.

Now you're ready for action and have TWO choices...

#1: Learn how to make this adorable fall fox (stay right here & keep reading).

OR

#2: WATCH my entire FREE Mixed Media Hamburger Playlist on YouTube. There's a video for every single layer of the cheatsheet (you printed that out, right?!) to help you learn my signature process from start to finish, step by step.

Yay! I'm glad you stayed. Let's get moving on the fox project!

If you haven't met me yet, you'll soon learn I love hoarding art supplies as much as the next girl, but I ALSO love saving money and upcycling thrift store finds for my art.

One of my tricks is to purchase old record album covers to turn them into canvas! Kinda brilliant right? They're dirt cheap and I love the square shape.

You can also create your own mixed media fox on canvas, canvas panel, or in an art journal (just make sure the paper is super thick -preferrably watercolor paper). Do what YOU love!

If you're upcycling any old surface like a once glossy record cover, we need to cover it with a light layer of gesso.

Now it's time to start painting!

Apply a thin layer of orange acrylic paint. I love acrylic paint by Lukas Cryl. I discovered it years ago when my kids were tiny and I was REALLY on a budget. This stuff is gorgeous and lasts forever. I've been recommending it to my students ever since.

I wanted an edgey look, so instead of using a paint brush- I used the edge of an old credit card to spread the paint around. Looks cool, right? If you prefer using a paint brush, that's cool. Use whatever you have on hand. If you're looking for a new acrylic set of brushes, this is a great one.

Another cool element to upcycle in your mixed media art for collage is phone book pages or thrift shop books! I always look for the books that are on their last legs. The paper is thin and perfect for mixed media collage.

For the fox, I ripped up a page from an old phone book. Does anyone even get these anymore?! ?

Lots of people use mod podge to adhere collage pieces to their art journal pages and canvases, but I actually use matte medium. Why? It's designed to work with acrylic paint, and it actually has secret adhesive properties! I paint a thin layer on the bottom of my collage pieces, and another right on top.

Napkins and tissue paper are also excellent for mixed media collage. For this project, I had an adorable, floral napkin I was dying to incorporate. I peeled the napkin backing from the pattern side (this is really important because it makes your collage pieces thinner and easier to control). Then I ripped it into pieces and carefully adhered it to my piece.

If you struggle with getting the wrinkles out of your napkin pieces when you're collaging, this video is for you. It really demos my technique of using TONS of matte medium! I pour it on so there's a lot under my napkin pieces, and then coat them on top as well. If you think you're using too much matte medium, add more :)

Next start adding in some acrylics that tie in with the color scheme from your napkin. I did a very thin layer and used my finger to spread it into the corners to kind of tie things together.

My next step was to add a bit of texture. I love the look of polka dots, and I've found that painting a bit of acrylics over a corner of bubble wrap looks AMAZING in the backgrounds of my mixed media portraits! I've been doing this trick for years, and it costs nothing! Win-win!!

After I hit my layers up with my hair dryer, it's time to start making room for our adorable fox! To knock my background back a bit, I add a super thin layer of gesso all over in the middle of my piece. I used an old credit card here too, to keep that edgey look.

Next, I penciled in my fox outline. I used a black stabillo all pencil because I love how watersoluble it is. It smears when you add something wet to it from water to gesso. Some of my students don't like the unpredictability of the stabilo like I do. If you're one of these people, just use a pencil. When you like the way your drawing looks, start painting again with your acrylics.

When it was time to start adding in that fluffy white fur, I used more white gesso instead of white acrylic paint. I tend to do this a lot in my mixed media work because I love how the collage layers will peek through gesso.

As you'll see in the video, my stabilo lines activated here and there when the gesso hit them. I love how that softened the fox's edges and helped add shading to my little guy without even trying!

Once I felt happy with my painting layer, I sealed it all in with a layer of matte mod podge. Be prepared because that stabilo can activate again when your mod podge hits it.

Let this dry completely. Just walk away and do something else for a while. Or if you're impatient like me... hit it with your hair dryer or heat gun again.

When the surface is slick and dry, it's time to "paint" with our pitt pens! I freaking LOVE this step. It's like ice skating when these babies hit your canvas! If you're following along with your Hamburger Cheatsheet, this is Layer #5.

If you're loving the cheatsheet, this actually inspired not only the FREE 9-Part Series on YouTube, but a book by the same name as well. If you love the feel of a book in your hand, it's available on Amazon.

Once you're done "painting" and doodling with your pitt pens, it's time to add a cute quote. I love using stamps for quotes because I don't love my handwriting. Feel free to do either, or no quote! This is YOUR art.

Next to the last step is to pop in some highlights with a white paint pen. I love this simple set of three in varied nibs from Posca. I also love my Sharpie White Poster Paint Pen.

I love the look of a bold black outline, so you'll often see this in my work. I also love using a stamp pad and adding the look of black, distressed edging all the way around my canvas. Make sure you click over to the video to see exactly how it's done!

Just a quick heads up, when you do click over to this fun mixed media fox video, this was shot BEFORE I had even named my magical mixed media layering process, so you won't hear me talk about the burger layers in this video. You'll just see them in action, set to music!

Wanna learn TEN ways to save money with your art supplies? Check out this video. It explains how the layers in this very project can help you from buying out your local craft store :)

Thanks for hanging out with me today!

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What Surfaces Can You Create Mixed Media Art On?

My FAVORITE Collage Elements

My Favorite Acrylic Paints to Make Things Look Vintage!

Don't Know How to Draw? I've Got an Amazing Solution for YOU!!

What Else Do We Need for Sunday's LIVE?

Want Even MORE Projects & Online Art Courses to Enjoy?

Ready to Art Along With Me?

Are Oil Pastels Worth It?

Want to Learn How to Mix Your Media To Create Art You Can Be Proud Of?

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Supplies Needed

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What to Watch Next...

Need More Resources?

Need a Cheatsheet Before We Get Started?

Layer 1: Substrate

Layer 2: Collage

Layer 3: Acrylic Paints (This Includes Stencils!)

Layer 4: Mark Makers

Layer 5: Gel Sticks

Layer 6: Pitt Pens

Layer 7: Sealer

Dying to TRY the Hamburger System with Me?!

Wanna See MORE "Hamburger Style" ​Mixed Media Art Projects on YouTube?

Need More Resources?

Want Another FREE Elegant Writer Project?

Loved This Castle Project & Want MORE?

Need More Resources?

​How to Use Watercolor Markers to Shade a Mixed Media Face

​How to Activate ​Watercolor Markers With Water

When to Activate Watercolor Markers With Gesso & Matte Medium

​How to Draw Hair with Watercolor Markers

​Hot Press vs Cold Press Watercolor Paper for Mixed Media Projects

Karen Campbell

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Don't Know How to Draw?
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Want to Learn How to Mix Your Media
To Create Art You Can Be Proud Of?

Wanna See MORE "Hamburger Style"
Mixed Media Art Projects on YouTube?

How to Use Watercolor Markers
to Shade a Mixed Media Face

How to Activate Watercolor Markers With Water

When to Activate Watercolor Markers
With Gesso & Matte Medium

How to Draw Hair with Watercolor Markers

Hot Press vs Cold Press Watercolor Paper
for Mixed Media Projects