Category: Mixed Media Girls

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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My BEST SECRETS for Creating GORGEOUS Eyelashes on Mixed Media Faces!

8/4/2024

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Struggling with eyelash drawing? Let me tell ya, this stresses out SO many of my students. There's nothing worse than going through the entire creation process on a mixed media face in your art journal or on canvas, only to add some eyelashes, and poof.

You're ready to dump the entire project into the trash.

DON'T DO IT!!

In today's video I'm breaking down ALL my best tips on how to draw eyelashes, sharing my absolute FAVORITE mixed media art supplies for adding stunning lashes, and giving YOU an entire practice sheet just for eyelash drawing:)

How to Draw KILLER Eyelashes on Mixed Media Faces with Karen Campbell Artist

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

Before we dig into specifics, make sure you download my FREE 5-page PDF with ALL the deets on how to draw AMAZING eyelashes!!

It clearly breaks down the three key elements of eyelash drawing, provides tons of eyelash inspiration, AND even has an entire practice page of empty eyeballs just waiting for you to draw in the missing lashes:)

Karen Campbell's BEST Eyelash Drawing Tips

1 Pay CLOSE Attention to Directionality

The first thing we need to consider when drawing eyelashes is directionality. Trust me, it's a game-changer. When you take a close look at natural eyes, you'll notice eyelashes don't grow in just one direction – they switch about halfway across the eyeball.

Copying this ONE observation into your mixed media drawings and paintings will immediately take your art to the next level.

When I'm drawing eyelashes, it helps me to think of them like parentheses – top and bottom, left to right.

Mixed Media Eyelash Drawing Practice with Karen Campbell Artist

2 Vary Your Pressure

Most of the mixed media faces I create on canvas or in my art journals are wearing makeup. I LOVE a dramatic cat eye. To make the whimsical girls you draw and paint look even more realistic, vary the pressure or line weight from your art supplies when drawing eyelashes.

Whether you're using a brush pen or a fine liner, mastering this trick, along with the "flick," (see today's video for the demo!) is essential for achieving that perfect flare.

And remember, practice makes perfect!

How to Draw Eyelashes on a Girl Face Drawing with Karen Campbell Artist

3 Vary Lash Length Throughout

Another super simple observation from real-life eyeballs is our lashes vary in LENGTH!! Yep, it's true! Look up close at ANY picture of the natural eye, or simply look in the mirror.

Some are long, some are short. Sometimes they even grow in clumps or in multiple rows. When you copy these real-life observations in your art, your mixed media faces will instantly become more sophisticated!

Drawing GORGEOUS Mixed Media Eyelashes with Karen Campbell Artist

My FAVORITE Brush Pens for Drawing Eyelashes!

All my favorite pens are from Pentel, but when I discovered the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen, it changed my mixed media faces FOREVER!!

I use this literally all the time for adding eyelashes to the whimsical faces I draw and paint. Instead of a regular marker "nib," this pen and it's "little sister," the sign pen have actual bristles! Both feel very painterly to draw with and help me achieve all three eyelash drawing tips I just shared with you (vary directionality, pressure, and lash length).

If you've never used either of these products, they DO take a little getting used to because of the bristles. Play around with them on scrap paper and DEFINITELY print out my cheatsheet from today to get thateyelash drawing practice sheet so you can practice right on the page to perfect your own technique!!

LOVE this Video? Share it With a Friend!

If you LOVED today's video, SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND!

It's SO easy!!

Either copy and paste this exact video link here:
https://youtu.be/IXSgiy16HGc

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Wanna Create the Mixed Media Portraits
Featured in Today's Video?

Join me in the Mixed Media Society!!

The Mixed Media Society is perfect for artists of ALL levels including beginners. We're having a blast 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!!

Missed Last Week's Video?

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Mixed Media Marilyn Monroe Masterpiece on Canvas!

28/6/2023

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Today I'm excited to share a timelapsed version of how I made this sassy Mixed Media Marilyn Monroe, "Hamburger Style" painting, on CANVAS!!

Not sure what "Hamburger Style" is? It's my signature mixed media process - or recipe- for using my favorite, tried-and-true mixed media art supplies and layering techniques to achieve mixed media success EVERY time I sit down to create.

The BEST part is how EASY this fun system is for ANYONE to replicate at home!! Check it out ...

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.

Need a Cheatsheet to Follow Along?

Heck ya, you do!! Click the button below, and I'll deliver a 2-page, printable PDF straight to your inbox outlining each step of the Hamburger System.

Now that you've got your cheatsheet, let's dive into today's SUPER FUN project!!

The first layer of the Hamburger System is our "plate," or our substrate. A substrate is simply the surface we're art-ing on. In this particular project, I'm working on an 18 x 24 stretched canvas.

As you can see above, I've pulled three different scrapbook paper sheets in the same color scheme, and have ripped them into pieces for Layer #2 - Collage. I feel like collage is such a FUN way to get in the mood to create ANY project because there's really no rhyme or reason to it. You get to channel your inner 5-year-old, rip up stuff, and paste it around onto your canvas however you choose!

When you're ready to glue down your collage pieces, I always reach for a cheapie foam brush and my matte medium. Lots of people love mod podge (me included!), but I really prefer matte medium for my Hamburger System projects because matte medium was created to work with acrylic paint (our next layer!). It not only serves as a glue becuase of its adhesive qualities for the collage, but preps our surface to accept acrylics.

I added some white gesso in the middle of my finished collage so I could draw Marilyn in watercolor pencil (that way my lines will disappear once I start painting).

For the acrylic layer, I grabbed three tubes of Lukas acrylic that matched the color scheme in my collage, plus a skin tone. You can totally grab any of these at your local craft store or on Amazon. If you know me, I LOVE hoarding art supplies as much as the next girl, but ALWAYS recommend you use whatever you've got on hand before running off to add more supplies to your stash!

How cute is she looking already?! I seriously LOVE this project!!

Once I'm done with my acrylics, it's time for Layer #4 - gelatos and art crayons! These are SO fun for adding shadows and SO MUCH FASTER to work with than acrylics to add depth.

After I'm done with the acrylics and gelatos, it's time for a little sealant. I grab another black foam brush for this and slap a juicy layer of mod podge all over the entire canvas. You can either get up and take a break from your project to let that dry, or use your hair dryer to get on with it like I do!

I LOVE the feeling of the dry, slick mod podge in this process. It's the perfect surface for using Pitt Pens to add some additional details and outlines throughout. They're also kinda magical because if you make a mistake, you can reach for a baby wipe and ERASE what you don't love!! Awesome right?!

To lock your pitt pen layer in place, seal with another layer of mod podge. Next, you can add another layer of pitt pen doodles, some highlights, outlines, and give it a final seal!

So FUN and EASY, right?!

I hope you had SO much fun watching this project unfold. I had a blast creating her and would LOVE to see your work in the Facebook group if you played along!

Wanna Dive Deeper into The Hamburger System?

I LOVE teaching students how to make the Hamburger System work for them at home! I've got an entire real-time (no timelapse) YouTube series you can binge for FREE right now, that breaks each layer down into its own video!

You can also grab a copy of my Hamburger System book on Amazon to set at your art table so you have EVERYTHING you could possibly need to know about art supplies, layering techniques and more right at your finger tips!

Want Access to Today's Lesson in Real-Time?

I hear ya! There's nothing QUITE like getting to do each and every step together without timelapse!! This mixed media Marilyn Monroe lesson is part of my Mixed Media Society over at Awesome Art School.

The Mixed Media Society is only open for enrollment three times/year. Add your name to the waitlist here to get notified next time we're taking on new members!

Need More Resources?

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

19/11/2020

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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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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....

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.

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.

If you're getting wrinkles, and bubble especially - you're not using enough product. It's kind of like wallpaper.

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!

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.

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?!

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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...

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.

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!!

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My SECRET WEAPON for Drawing STUNNING Eyelashes on Mixed Media Portraits!!

2/10/2020

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Drawing eyelashes on mixed media portraits can feel super intimidating because it's probably one of the LAST things you add to your masterpiece! So many of my students ask how to paint eyelashes that look realistic and just what paintbrush or supplies work the best, because they know I've tested them ALL!! Before I demo my secret weapon, we need to talk for a hot minute about how to draw eyelashes step by step...

If you're just learning how to draw eyelashes, or if drawing eyelashes is something you feel you want to improve upon, you need my free HOW to DRAW EYELASHES Cheatsheet.

Simply click the button below, and I'll send it straight to your inbox!

The first thing to keep in mind when drawing eyelashes is DIRECTIONALITY. As you can see in my sketch below, I start by drawing a set of parentheses on the outer edges of both the top and bottom eyelids.

One of the first things to keep in mind when you're drawing eyelashes, is directionality. I think of eyelashes like parentheses, and curve my outtermost eyelash on either side accordingly.

The midpoint of your eye drawing is where the directionality of your individual eyelash lines will change. That midpoint lash will basically be a straight line, followed by consecutive lashes flicking out in opposite directions, like you can see below.

Once you fill your lashes in on the top lid, repeat the process you followed for the lash line on the bottom eyelid. The second important part of drawing GORGEOUS eyelashes has to do with the amount of pressure you apply with your pencil (or whatever you're drawing with!).

You begin each lash line with MORE pressure, then flick up and out according to whatever directionality each eyelash needs to go. Confused yet?! WATCH the VIDEO ;) It makes WAY more sense when you see it in action....

Once you have all the eyelashes drawn in for the top and bottom eyelids, it's time to take a second pass across each lid line, because as humans - we have TONS of eyelashes! And let's be real...you want the girl you're drawing to have fab lashes, right?! Let's glam her up!!

While you're adding in a second set of lashes on each lid line, be sure to vary the length of each line. This is how our eyelashes are in real life. If you look closely - they're all different lengths. Paying attention to that little detail will make the eyelashes you draw look even more realistic!

Did you grab your FREE How to Draw Eyelashes Cheatsheet yet? Make sure you click on that link, and I'll send it straight to your inbox. It's SUCH a helpful reference to keep on your art table.

Now... how do you put all take this amazing-ness into action for your MIXED MEDIA PORTRAITS?!

I'm so glad you asked!! Let me introduce you to my secret weapon!!

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.

I'm in LOVE with the pentel pocket brush pen. Here's why...

First of all, I love this pen because it contains permanent ink. This is extremely important to me in mixed media work because I have lots of layering going on with sealants, etc. I NEED my ink at this point to be permanent. If I want to add a final sealant over the pretty eyelashes I've just drawn, I KNOW the ink I just laid down with the pentel pocket brush pen isn't going anywhere!

One of the cool things about this pen is the tip of it is actually like a very fine brush. That means it applies like a paintbrush! Lastly - it's just a beautifully crafted pen!!

I will give you a tiny warning about this pen though... it's super sensitive, and honestly takes a bit of practice to get a feel for it at first. You'll want to play around with it in your sketchbook before using it right out of the box on your latest mixed media canvas! Just draw a bunch of practice eyes in your sketchbook and see what kind of pressure and look you like best!

HOT TIP!
If you're struggling to control the pentel pocket brush, use a black pitt pen marker in a brush nib that feels more secure for you.

After today's little eyelash lesson, I'll take you straight over to put this into practice on one of my mixed media hamburger system girls! This particular piece is from a couple of years ago- before I discovered my fav little pocket brush. Watch as I add these lashes in real time - using directionality, pressure, and varying my lash lengths. This cute little pen is also awesome for touching up eyebrows for a little added drama.

Come on over to YouTube and practice your eyelash drawing with me!!

If you're a member of either the Fun Fab Drawing Club or Mixed Media Society (YAY!! I'm so happy you're here!!!), the Eyelashes Cheatsheet is already in your membership guide!!

I hope today's free drawing lesson helps you create mixed media lashes you are PROUD OF!! See ya next week ;)

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GORGEOUS Mixed Media Portraits on Sheet Music {Student Art Journal Flip Through!!}

11/9/2020

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I've been IN LOVE with Bryn Nguyen's mixed media portraits since she started posting them in my Facebook Group about 6 months ago! I'm so excited she agreed to do an art journal flip through with us & talk about how she creates these beauties with tombow markers on sheet music!

If you're into sheet music art, or have been looking for fresh mixed media art journal inspiration, altered book ideas, & new ways to sketch or paint mixed media faces - today's video has your name on it!!

Bryn shared that she started this altered book / art journal in a book of violin sheet music she bought at Goodwill for 99 cents!!! I LOVE doing this kind of thing too! It's so pretty to see the music notes peek through your art work. If you haven't tried it yet - you have to!!

Bryn has created a gorgeous style that's all her own and SO unique... you just have to come see for yourself!

While we chatted, she explained that she started this altered book back in March - when we all started hanging at home because of covid. She said she typically begins each page with a thin layer of gesso over the sheet music, then sketches her portraits in using a reference photo.

Bryn uses a combo of painting and shading techniques using tombow markers, copics, micron fineliners, posca pens, india ink, and polychromos to create her beauties, and said each of her mixed media portraits takes a couple of hours to complete.

Just LOOK at this insane masterpiece!!!!!

Bryn was an art minor in college and shared that she's constantly taking art classes, and that's how her style has evolved over time. She said she took a number of face courses a while back that weren't clicking. Then she stumbled onto my Fun Fab Faces books over on Amazon and did my #100FunFabFaces challenge last year. She even did ALL 100 faces!!!! Not many hung in there for the long haul like Bryn. I'm so proud of her, and her dedication shows in her work!!

Bryn also credits Toni Burt (LOVE HER! Everything she does is magical!) for helping her develop a looser style in her work. In addition to Toni, she loves James Burke (ME TOO! Totally "stalk" him and his gorgeous work!).

I'm super lucky to have Bryn as a long time member of BOTH The Fun Fab Drawing Club AND Mixed Media Society. I have to share a quick look at one of the pieces she did in The Fun Fab Drawing Club earlier this year...

Absolutely STUNNING!!!!

FYI - if you're interested in either of my clubs - Bryn has some GREAT ADVICE if you're someone (like us!) who loves BOTH drawing and mixed media, so stay tuned for her thoughts if you've been on the fence yourself!

After you watch Bryn's flip through, make sure you head over to Awesome Art School to sign up for my TWO SUPER FUN challenges beginning on Monday, September 21st!! Here are the links ....

✅ CLICK HERE to SIGN UP for my MIXED MEDIA CHALLENGE

✅ CLICK HERE to SIGN UP for my DRAWING CHALLENGE

Each challenge is going to run for 5 days and kicks off open enrollment for The Fun Fab Drawing Club & Mixed Media Society! SOOOOOO .... if you've been waiting for these clubs to open up - your wait is almost over!!

We're having a blast and hope you come join us!!!!

See ya next week!

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How to Paint GLASSES on your Mixed Media Girls

17/4/2020

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Today is Friday which means NEW FREE YouTube lesson!!
This project was particularly satisfying for sooooo many reasons! Well, I'll just list them off so you know what they are! First all, I got to paint with my fountain pen inks. They are soooooo vibrant and juicy and satisfying (due to their vibrancy and juiciness) that I cannot even compare them to any other medium I love them so much! This is the one I use for skin color. It's DIVINE!

I can now draw hands after publishing a book on them! I can finally dive into any project that involves them and has truly opened up a whole new world of faces and characters now that I'm no longer afraid to tackle any drawing!

I spill 3 oz. of permanent ink all over my studio floor. There's nothing quite like an explosion of ink to liven things up in the old art room!

Glasses. Having the guts and courage to draw OVER and ON TOP OF a completely painted girl, is, well, TERRIFYING! But then the level of proud you feel when you actually pull it off is the BEST FEELING EVER!! So while it's scary, it's worth it!!! So my advice to you is to simply GO FOR IT.

The references I used today are so super cute!! The original reference photo was taken from Vogue Japan and I just fell in love with it when I saw it!!!
Another reason today's project was so fun was because of my little feline side-kick!! Oh Tippie!!!

So after the spill and the cat play and the juicy brushes filled with ink I was just delighted at the final outcome. Click on the video here to watch how YOU can learn how to paint glasses on YOUR mixed media girls!!

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

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?

My BEST SECRETS for Creating GORGEOUS Eyelashes on Mixed Media Faces!

1

Pay CLOSE Attention to Directionality

2

Vary Your Pressure

3

Vary Lash Length Throughout

My FAVORITE Brush Pens for Drawing Eyelashes!

LOVE this Video? Share it With a Friend!

Wanna Create the Mixed Media Portraits
Featured in Today's Video?

Missed Last Week's Video?

Looking for Something Else?

Mixed Media Marilyn Monroe Masterpiece on Canvas!

Need a Cheatsheet to Follow Along?

Wanna Dive Deeper into The Hamburger System?

Want Access to Today's Lesson in Real-Time?

Need More Resources?

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

My SECRET WEAPON for Drawing STUNNING Eyelashes on Mixed Media Portraits!!

GORGEOUS Mixed Media Portraits on Sheet Music {Student Art Journal Flip Through!!}

How to Paint GLASSES on your Mixed Media Girls

Karen Campbell

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What Fans Are Saying

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blog

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

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?

My BEST SECRETS for Creating GORGEOUS Eyelashes on Mixed Media Faces!

1

Pay CLOSE Attention to Directionality

2

Vary Your Pressure

3

Vary Lash Length Throughout

My FAVORITE Brush Pens for Drawing Eyelashes!

LOVE this Video? Share it With a Friend!

Wanna Create the Mixed Media Portraits Featured in Today's Video?

Missed Last Week's Video?

​Looking for Something Else?

Mixed Media Marilyn Monroe Masterpiece on Canvas!

Need a Cheatsheet to Follow Along?

Wanna Dive Deeper into The Hamburger System?

Want Access to Today's Lesson in Real-Time?

Need More Resources?

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

My SECRET WEAPON for Drawing STUNNING Eyelashes on Mixed Media Portraits!!

GORGEOUS Mixed Media Portraits on Sheet Music {Student Art Journal Flip Through!!}

How to Paint GLASSES on your Mixed Media Girls

Karen Campbell

Whose work has appeared in...

Archives

Categories

What Fans Are Saying

Contact ME

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

Wanna Create the Mixed Media Portraits
Featured in Today's Video?

Looking for Something Else?