blog
Let's Get Your Creative Juices Flowing!!!
Hey there, creative soul! I’m SO excited for today’s mixed media art tutorial!! It’s been a while since I dove into the world of full-on mixed media with collage and ALL the FUN supplies using my favorite layering process, the Hamburger system!
I’m feeling SUPER inspired after last week’s Fun Fab version of Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring alcohol marker drawing tutorial. I got even MORE excited about turning her into a Hamburger-style project when I discovered my favorite YouTube channel (Royalty Now Studios) had created a modern-day facial reconstruction for Vermeer’s model for this painting. If you’re not familiar with this YouTube channel - I shared it last week on my Drawing channel. They’re incredible! They take bring faces from history - either historical figures or subjects of famous paintings (like Girl with the Pearl Earring or the Mona Lisa), and “bring them to life” using facial reconstruction graphic design after studying whatever art is available on the subject from paintings to death masks, sculptures and more. This channel is fascinating and I HIGHLY SUGGEST you check it out right after this video! I asked Royalty Now if I could use their modern version of Girl with a Pearl Earring as a drawing reference. They said of course, so she’s my model for today’s grungey, mixed media art journal spread :) Isn't she gorgeous?!!!
*All product links are affiliate & for U.S. residents only.*
Before we get started - if you’re art-ing along with me from home, make sure you’ve got a copy of my “Hamburger System Cheatsheet.” This will serve as your guide to help you through what supplies go where AND WHEN in your mixed media layering process. It’s kinda like my tried-and-true “recipe” for creating mixed media MAGIC every time I sit down to create instead of creating a hot mess!!
Grab the cheatsheet here, or click on the button below.
My students loved the “Hamburger System” so much, that I created an entire book about it - going even more in-depth on what supplies work well together and when they should be used in your mixed media layering to avoid a hot mess.
Back to TODAY’s art project! I’m working in my hardcover Strathmore watercolor journal because it’s my fave, and these babies can totally handle any wet mediums you decide to throw at them (even collage!).
On a recent trip to HomeGoods, I scored some super cute butterfly napkins, which are gonna be perfect for the mixed media collage portion of today’s project.
If you haven’t collaged with napkins before – they're thin, thinner than paper, so a bit tricky to work with. They also add SERIOUS texture to your mixed media art! So beware- collaging with napkins (or tissue paper for that matter!) means you’re gonna get visible wrinkles poking through your piece, which I happen to love!! If you hate wrinkles, don’t reach for napkins- grab something sturdier to collage with like scrapbook paper!
When it comes to gluing down delicate collage materials like napkins, I swear bymatte medium. AND using a LOT of it both under and over your collage materials (this helps minimize wrinkles).
I also prefer to get down and dirty as a mixed media artist, and I simply use my fingers to smooth out those inevitable wrinkles and bubbles where I can. Embracing the messiness is all part of the true mixed media experience, right? Fast forward to the inky part – I pulled out my inks and went a bit crazy on the page. The streaks from the fan brush added a unique touch that I just rolled with. Today's project was less about perfection and more about pouring my emotions onto the paper. That's the beauty of mixed media – it's a truly expressive outlet where I can let loose and make a mess and embrace the process.
Embracing imperfection is key in this process. I didn't even use a palette today and poured all my supplies directly onto the paper, with ZERO precision. The goal was to see what happens, and trust me, the results were liberating! For me, and a LOT of other artists- the art isn’t even really about the art.
It’s about WHO is behind the art and what they were feeling the day they created it, WAY MORE than the end result. Now, the real fun began as I introduced doodles with my trusty pitt pens. They're filled with permanent India ink, allowing me to smudge them for added character. And here's a tip – if you go overboard with your pitt pens, a quick wipe with a baby wipe erases any mishaps.
As I wrap up this unique mixed media art journal spread of “modern day” Girl with a Pearl Earring, I'm excited to announce that this is just the beginning of a Historical Faces series I'll be running on both YouTube channels, inspired by Royalty Now Studios. I plan to bring historical figures to life in my own signature Fun, Fab style.
It's my way of making history relevant and intriguing. A quick reminder for if you're venturing into mixed media and just getting started – be fearless. The journey may look rough along the way, but the end result can be surprisingly satisfying. So, don't stop, keep going, and embrace the creative process.
Once the final touches with my pit pens and pentel pocket brush (my secret weapon for GORGEOUS eyelashes) are finished, my wrinkled, grungy, mixed media masterpiece is complete.
Remember, it's not about the perfect end result, but the journey and expression that matter. So, fellow artists, don't be afraid, keep creating, and enjoy every messy, beautiful moment. Thanks for joining me on this artistic adventure. Until next time, happy art-ing!! LOVED this Video?Share it with an artsy friend!! Maybe she's always wanted to learn how to paint or art journal too, but never taken the time!! Here's the link to copy & paste into a text or email to her: https://youtu.be/TK8nhi2-J-I If you're watching the video on YouTube using your phone, try this! Loved this Project & Wanna Do MORE?Check out the Mixed Media Society over at Awesome Art School!! It's perfect for artists of ALL levels including beginners. We're having SO much FUN over there learning about ALL the mixed media supplies and how to use them to create mixed media art we can be proud of!! We would LOVE to have YOU join us!! Looking for Something Else?
0 Comments
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"
|
Karen CampbellFounder of Awesome Art School. Mixed Media Artist. Author of 19 Instructional Art Books! Whose work has appeared in...Archives
April 2024
Categories
All
|
"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. |
Contact ME |