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I get asked ALL the time about which mixed media art supplies can be layered ON TOP of watercolor (and other water-soluble art supplies!).
Today on my Mixed Media YouTube channel, I'm demo-ing a couple of my favorite art supply combos to use with watercolor, PLUS sharing an entire 32-page PDF full of tried-and-true mixed media art supply combos from other artists that you might want to try at home in your own projects! 
As you'll in today's video, I'm referencing my FREE 32-page "Hot Dog Packet." The "hot dog system" is the EASY mixed media layering process I use when I only want to use a couple of art supplies to create a project and be done. The main way this differs from my Mixed Media Hamburger System, is fewer layers (no collage) and fewer supplies.
Since I of course don't have all the answers and love learning just as much as I love teaching - I reached out to a number of my artsy friends a while back, and asked them which mixed media art supply combos they loved. I compiled all their answers in the "Hot Dog Packet" so you know exactly which mixed media art supplies to reach for to create a masterpiece instead of a hot mess express! CLICK HERE or press the button below to download your own FREE copy of the "Hot Dog Packet" so you can follow along at home! 
The "Hot Dog Packet" also includes BLANK "hot dog worksheets" that you can fill in with your OWN favorite mixed media art supply combos when you discover combos you love and want to use again. Enjoy!!
*All Product links are affiliate and for U.S. Residents only.*
During today's demo, you might notice I'm going to be watercoloring the "anime goddess" I drew on my YouTube drawing channel last week during my book review of How to Draw Anime and Manga for Beginners (highly recommend that book, by the way- grab it here on Amazon).
Today I'm using another cute little watercolor set by Prima called Essence. You can grab one off of Amazon here if you'd like. This is the third Prima watercolor palette I've reviewed on my Mixed Media YouTube channel. I'm not gonna lie, this particular set is not my favorite, but that's ok.
I think the Current set (blues & greens), is still my favorite (used to create this handsome dude below; watch that video here). 
In case you haven't seen my other Prima watercolor set reviews, and are looking for a fine art quality palette - these little sets are NOT what you're looking for (Click here to watch How to Start Your First Daniel Smith Watercolor Collection).
Like anything, you get what you pay for. Prima watercolor sets include 12 watercolors and run around $25 or less on Amazon. They are PERFECT for beginners - especially if you've never tried watercolor, and aren't sure if you'll even enjoy it. The quality and value you'll get out of these little palettes in insane. 
If you're NOT a watercolor beginner, I think these Prima palettes are are still "good enough" quality for just playing around and having a little fun. I can definitely tell the difference between these and my Daniel Smith watercolor collection. These are definitely a bit of a downgrade. But... they're an awesome size to use for travel if you enjoy art-ing on the go.
And I really do think Prima does a great job of compiling striking assortments of colors that go together well so you can sit right down and start creating a project with confidence. This is ESPECIALLY true with their Currents collection :) 
If you were hanging out with me a couple of weeks ago on my Mixed Media YouTube channel, I demo'd three easy watercolor techniques for beginners. One of those techniques was wet-on-wet watercoloring, which you'll totally notice is used in the entire background for today's project.
Before I even dive into my watercolors, I prepped my watercolor paper used a little masking fluid, or frisket, so I can keep the stars in my background super white while I watercolor the rest of this project!
As you'll see in the video, after finishing my wet-on-wet background, I was feeling a little underwhelmed with the Essence palette and frankly the boldness of watercolor in general.
This is something I struggle with often about watercolor because I LOVE bold and vibrant colors. A lot of the time watercolor - even the expensive ones- can leave me wanting something more. When I'm feeling like this, I might add in some Noodler's Ink (check this playlist out for WHY I'm OBSESSED with Fountain Pen Ink Painting) like I did in the piece below. 
Other times, like today, I'll look to another mixed media supply to help me achieve the intensity I'm after!
Today, I was in the mood for gouache! In case you don't even know what the heck gouache is, check out this video. Long story short, gouache is an opaque watercolor that kinda looks like acrylic when it's dry. This is a good gouache set of 24 to try if you're in the mood to experiment with a LOT of colors for not too much cash. Spend another $20 and you can double the number of colors you get!
I learned everything I know about gouache from my Scottish bestie, Lucy Brydon! She uses it ALL the time and has some great info tucked into the Celtic Collective art club that we run together at Awesome Art School in case you're interested in trying this super fun medium with friends and diving DEEPER than you can into this world than YouTube.
Once my gouache layer was complete in today's project, I reached for my PERMANENT art supplies that I knew wouldn't reactivate either the watercolor or gouache layers. Some of my permanent favorites include posca paint markers, sharpie paint pens or acrylic paint markers.
What you want to stay away from if you want to doodle over your watercolors is water-reactive dye-based ink pens. These will bleed into your other layers and reactivate them. I hope you found today's video helpful, and thanks for hanging out with me!!
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If you'd like to use these books for watercolor swatching, I have a little suggestion because these books have not been printed on watercolor paper. Pick a page from one of the books and use it as a reference! Draw the image(s) onto your own sheet of watercolor paper, and swatch away :)
And - in case you're a newbie here, or just need a reminder, paper is JUST AS IMPORTANT as the other art supplies in your stash (these are all my faves on Amazon). Sometimes paper is THE MOST important art supply - like in the case of watercolors and water-soluble mixed media art supplies.
Wanna learn MORE about how to choose the right paper for your mixed media art projects? This one's for YOU!
And - in case you're a newbie here, or just need a reminder, paper is JUST AS IMPORTANT as the other art supplies in your stash (these are all my faves on Amazon). Sometimes paper is THE MOST important art supply - like in the case of watercolors and water-soluble mixed media art supplies.
Wanna learn MORE about how to choose the right paper for your mixed media art projects? This one's for YOU!
Want MORE Prima
Watercolor Confections Set Demos/ Reviews?
The one below is about the Complexions set. I'm OBSESSED with this for creating watercolor portraits because I WAY prefer dipping my brush right into the exact color I want, instead of mixing my own skin tones!!
Enjoy!! And thanks for hanging out with me today!!
Need More Resources?
I've been a fan of Prima Confections watercolor sets for years and can't wait to demo the latest palette I picked up. Instead of a straight-up product review today, I'd LOVE to share with you WHY I continue to collect watercolor sets (even though I have a bazillion colors already!), and how a prepackaged watercolor set can benefit YOU in your own art!
Today's video is perfect for watercolor beginners who might not know which watercolor sets to buy, people looking for a little stress relief/ enjoyable art therapy activities, and advanced watercolorists looking for ways to challenge their creativity by limiting themselves to ONE palette of color.
Today's video is perfect for watercolor beginners who might not know which watercolor sets to buy, people looking for a little stress relief/ enjoyable art therapy activities, and advanced watercolorists looking for ways to challenge their creativity by limiting themselves to ONE palette of color.
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.
If you've been following me for a while, you know I'm a HUGE FAN of Daniel Smith watercolors and totally love creating my own watercolor palettes filled with shades I love.
I've also enjoyed watercolor sets by Prima for years - and recommend their Complexions Set to ALL my students because it's amazing to have a little palette filled with SO many perfect pre-mixed skin tones right at your fingertips.
I've also enjoyed watercolor sets by Prima for years - and recommend their Complexions Set to ALL my students because it's amazing to have a little palette filled with SO many perfect pre-mixed skin tones right at your fingertips.
These cute little sets by Prima like the "Terrain" one I'm demo-ing today, are a great "value set" because you get 12 colors for $20-25.
In case you're not familiar with Prima Confections Watercolor sets, these are NOT fine art quality paints, they're basically mid-range products and considered a "craft-grade" product. This doesn't mean they're bad in any way or that you have to spend more money on your supplies- they just may not all be light-fast, so if you're creating a gift or a commission for someone, your work could fade over time. Just something to be aware of :)
If you're just creating for fun, Prima sets are awesome because they're super affordable and the color combos they've developed are beautiful and richly pigmented.
In case you're not familiar with Prima Confections Watercolor sets, these are NOT fine art quality paints, they're basically mid-range products and considered a "craft-grade" product. This doesn't mean they're bad in any way or that you have to spend more money on your supplies- they just may not all be light-fast, so if you're creating a gift or a commission for someone, your work could fade over time. Just something to be aware of :)
If you're just creating for fun, Prima sets are awesome because they're super affordable and the color combos they've developed are beautiful and richly pigmented.
How to Unwrap Watercolor Half Pans
If you're completely new to watercolor and bring a set home like the one I'm working with today, it may feel overwhelming to just get started.
Make sure youclick over to watch today's video because the demo shows you exactly how to unwrap each tiny half-pan of watercolor and assemble your palette before you start painting.
Make sure youclick over to watch today's video because the demo shows you exactly how to unwrap each tiny half-pan of watercolor and assemble your palette before you start painting.
This can feel really tedious, but just pop on some music or a podcast and get going. Before you know it, you'll be ready to swatch.
Why You NEED to Swatch Watercolors
Watercolor swatching is something I used to ignore for YEARS! I just couldn't be bothered. I've got 3 kids and was always way too busy. Plus, when they were little, I had zero time to create, and didn't want to suck up all my artsy time with swatching before I even got to the good part of making something!!
Here's what I learned the hard way, and want to help you avoid...
I spent YEARS grabbing the wrong colors and diving right into my creation process. Years, throwing what I *thought* I wanted on my paper based on the color cap or what it looked like in the pan, etc.
There are SO many things wrong with those choices! For starters, check out the first color in the second row of the set I'm demo-ing today. It looks like a super dark blue, almost black right?
Here's what I learned the hard way, and want to help you avoid...
I spent YEARS grabbing the wrong colors and diving right into my creation process. Years, throwing what I *thought* I wanted on my paper based on the color cap or what it looked like in the pan, etc.
There are SO many things wrong with those choices! For starters, check out the first color in the second row of the set I'm demo-ing today. It looks like a super dark blue, almost black right?
It's NOT!! When I took the time to swatch this set today, I was a little shocked at how light this blue came out on my paper. Check it out...
If the old me had grabbed this and started painting, expecting a dark navy to appear on my paper, I would've been SO MAD because it's totally not, right?! Swatching your set ahead of time REALLY helps avoid future frustrations like this and eliminates the guessing game of not knowing what's REALLY in your palette.
One of the things I really love about the Prima sets is they come with a tiny blank swatch card (shown above & below), that I can fill out myself and pop right back into my case.
I also love that the swatch card provided by Prima has been printed on watercolor paper (SUPER important if you're a newbie - never swatch watercolors or water-soluble products on just any old paper - you need a thicker, sturdier paper that can absorb the water - so always use watercolor paper or watercolor journals).
I also love that the swatch card provided by Prima has been printed on watercolor paper (SUPER important if you're a newbie - never swatch watercolors or water-soluble products on just any old paper - you need a thicker, sturdier paper that can absorb the water - so always use watercolor paper or watercolor journals).
As you'll see in today's video, I not only swatch directly onto the swatch card that came with my Prima set, I ALSO swatch into a cute, rectangular watercolor journal at the same time. This might feel like overkill, but I've found that it can be easy to lose these little swatch cards for my watercolor sets, and I kinda love having a little reference book of colors as a backup.
Color Swatching Reference Books
To make swatching more fun, I've created a number of resources to help you. I've got a FREE Fun Fab Swatch Sheet and TWO books about swatching, my latest one, Swatch! Copy! Color! ...
and my Fun Fab Swatch Pad, created with my beloved Facebook Group a couple of years ago!!
You can swatch directly into the books for markers, colored pencils, and other dry products.
Remember, for watercolor swatching and swatching water-soluble art supplies, you always need to be working on watercolor paper or watercolor journals.
If you love the swatching backgrounds or faces in these books, feel free to freehand them into your own watercolor journals to make swatching even more fun for you at home!!
Remember, for watercolor swatching and swatching water-soluble art supplies, you always need to be working on watercolor paper or watercolor journals.
If you love the swatching backgrounds or faces in these books, feel free to freehand them into your own watercolor journals to make swatching even more fun for you at home!!
Why I LOVE Collecting Watercolor Sets
(Even Though I Already Have a Bazillion Colors!)
This is huge. And it totally goes along with why I always tell my mixed media art students to buy scrapbook paper pads or collections. It's so simple- whatever has been packaged into these sets - whether it's watercolors or scrapbook paper, already GOES TOGETHER!!
This may seem super simple, but this means you can do your art projects with CONFIDENCE AND EASE because you already know the colors and patterns will work together in your project. You can spend more time CREATING, and less time wondering what colors of paint to grab, etc! I don't know about you, but I'd much rather spend more time creating and less time planning :)
This may seem super simple, but this means you can do your art projects with CONFIDENCE AND EASE because you already know the colors and patterns will work together in your project. You can spend more time CREATING, and less time wondering what colors of paint to grab, etc! I don't know about you, but I'd much rather spend more time creating and less time planning :)
Another reason I love collecting watercolor sets is because it's fun when a set comes along filled with my FAVORITE COLORS!!
This might feel super simple too, but I've learned over the years, I gravitate to blues and greens. Why fight that?! Lean into it and own that part of you!! If you find a watercolor set pre-filled with your favorite colors - grab it!! The colors will make you happy and you'll enjoy your art time with them even more.
This might feel super simple too, but I've learned over the years, I gravitate to blues and greens. Why fight that?! Lean into it and own that part of you!! If you find a watercolor set pre-filled with your favorite colors - grab it!! The colors will make you happy and you'll enjoy your art time with them even more.
AND if you love your art, you're gonna wanna to MORE of it. And if you do more of it- you're gonna get really good at it!!
Sneak peak at NEXT WEEK's video in some of my fave colors!!!
Which Mixed Media Art Supplies
Go Well With Watercolors?
When it comes to combining other art supplies with watercolors to create a mixed media piece, there are a TON of things you can do! You do need to be careful, because not everything will "play nicely" with watercolor.
Before you add any art supplies on TOP of your dry watercolor layers, ask yourself :
DO I WANT THIS WATERCOLOR TO MOVE? (Because it will!).
If you're a watercolor beginner or mixed media beginner, it's important to understand that dry watercolor WILL re-activate if you add more water to it, or add another water-soluble art supply on top of it like I do in today's video with my watercolor markers.
If you really love the way your dry watercolor layer looks, and don't want it to re-activate, DON'T add any doodles or additional shading with a water-soluble product. Reach or something permanent like Molotow fineliners, colored pencils, etc.
If you DO want your dry watercolor layer to move or blend - try adding some shading with water-soluble supplies like watercolor markers, watercolor pencils or NeoColor IIs!
DO I WANT THIS WATERCOLOR TO MOVE? (Because it will!).
If you're a watercolor beginner or mixed media beginner, it's important to understand that dry watercolor WILL re-activate if you add more water to it, or add another water-soluble art supply on top of it like I do in today's video with my watercolor markers.
If you really love the way your dry watercolor layer looks, and don't want it to re-activate, DON'T add any doodles or additional shading with a water-soluble product. Reach or something permanent like Molotow fineliners, colored pencils, etc.
If you DO want your dry watercolor layer to move or blend - try adding some shading with water-soluble supplies like watercolor markers, watercolor pencils or NeoColor IIs!
Not sure if your art supplies are water-soluble? TEST THEM OUT! Simply swatch them off to the side and add a little water. Do your lines melt into puddles, or stay put? This will help you feel more prepared before using the supplies on top of your artwork.
If you feel like you'd like some tried and true art supply combos to play around with at home, check out my FREE Mixed Media Hot Dog Packet! This is SUPER helpful and will give you tons of ideas, not only from me, but from a bunch of my artsy friends!!
Make sure you click over to WATCH today's video, because I have packed this one FULL of even MORE tips and tricks I didn't even get to here - like what makes a good composition, and how advanced watercolorists can enjoy pre-filled watercolor sets as well to challenge themselves!
Plus, I don't know about you, but it's so fun to just watch the timelapse of a project coming together isn't it?? Join me over on YouTube for today's super fun video!!
Wanna Learn How to Draw the Girl in Today's Demo?
Awesome!! She's a lesson in my Celtic Collective art club membership over at Awesome Art School. I run this club with my Scottish bestie, Lucy Brydon. This club is all about fantasy art and features online art lessons on fairies, unicorns, mermaids, mythical creatures, castles and so much more!! We'd love to have you join us! Learn more here.
What to Watch Next
If you're a watercolor newbie and need a fun and easy watercolor painting idea, look no further than this video:
If you'd like to learn how to create your own watercolor palette instead of using a pre-packaged watercolor palette created by someone else, check out these videos:
As always, thanks for hanging out with me!! I hope you learned a TON and had FUN!!
Need More Resources?
Today on my mixed media YouTube channel, I'm testing out a new watercolor set by MeiLiang. If you're new to the brand, MeiLiang is a sister company of Paul Rubens, a very well-established and respected fine art brand.
I'm excited to try these out and show you what I think! Join me for the full MeiLiang watercolor review and demo on YouTube, or scroll on down to learn more.
I'm excited to try these out and show you what I think! Join me for the full MeiLiang watercolor review and demo on YouTube, or scroll on down to learn more.
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.
MeiLiang Watercolor Set of 48 Cost
The MeilLiang watercolor paint set of 48 vivid colors will run you just under $30 on Amazon if you'd like to try it. To me, that's an AWESOME VALUE, because it costs me the exact same amount to get ONLY TWO shades of Daniel Smith watercolor tubes!!
What's Included by MeiLiang in the Set of 48?
Inside this set, you'll find a really cool acetate sampler of all the shades included (which is actually its own teensy travel palette in case you didn't know)!
They've also included a really nice swatch card (below) for you to use with a label pre-printed for each shade so you can swatch the set on your own as well. Super helpful!!
MeiLiang also threw a water brush in with this set of 48 colors, which is super nice if you don't already have one.
Typically I only use Pentel water brushes because I'm super picky, but I did test the MeiLiang water brush pen out. Click over to watch the video so you can see what I think.
Typically I only use Pentel water brushes because I'm super picky, but I did test the MeiLiang water brush pen out. Click over to watch the video so you can see what I think.
Never Used a Waterbrush Before?
No problem. There's a first time for everything. Click over to the video because I've got a little waterbrush demo for you in real time (no timelapse, starting at 2:04). I show you exactly how to fill a water brush with water, and how to use it. You'll also see a quick comparison of the MeiLiang waterbrush vs. my favorite Pentel water brush pen.
Why it's SO Important to Swatch Watercolors
If you've been following me for a while, you KNOW what a huge fan of swatching I am. It's super important to do whenever you get a new art supply with multiple colors - whether it's watercolors, markers, you name it.
I've been burned way too many times in the past and learned the hard way that color names, marker caps, or what a watercolor shade looks like in the pan are MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, nothing like what you will get on actual paper! Case in point...
I've been burned way too many times in the past and learned the hard way that color names, marker caps, or what a watercolor shade looks like in the pan are MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, nothing like what you will get on actual paper! Case in point...
The color called "Flash Red" in this set doesn't look red at all to me! It's more of a gray-purple, kind of like lunar violet by Daniel Smith.
If I had been doing a painting and wanted to add red, dipped into Flash Red, and put it on my paper, I would've been really upset because this is totally purple.
Swatching BEFORE you paint, will prevent this from happening to you. Trust me, your future self will thank you!
If I had been doing a painting and wanted to add red, dipped into Flash Red, and put it on my paper, I would've been really upset because this is totally purple.
Swatching BEFORE you paint, will prevent this from happening to you. Trust me, your future self will thank you!
How gorgeous is that watercolor brush in the pic above? It's my absolute favorite watercolor brush by Polina Bright. Here's more about WHY I love Polina Bright watercolor brushes and work with them exclusively now. Wanna get one too? Use this link to take 10% off (thanks Polina!!).
Final Thoughts
The bang for your buck in this MeiLiang watercolor set is seriously undeniable. To get 48 gorgeous colors for less than $30 is totally worth it.
I feel like the colors in this palette are bright, cheery, and remind me of summertime! There's also a really nice sampling of shades from each color family, which I really like. MeiLiang wasn't stingy on the neutrals they included. I feel like the entire rainbow is well represented in this palette, AND you get a BONUS row of metallics on the bottom row! So fun!!
I feel like the colors in this palette are bright, cheery, and remind me of summertime! There's also a really nice sampling of shades from each color family, which I really like. MeiLiang wasn't stingy on the neutrals they included. I feel like the entire rainbow is well represented in this palette, AND you get a BONUS row of metallics on the bottom row! So fun!!
I highly recommend MeiLiang's set of 48 watercolors. It's the perfect palette - especially for beginners who want to play with a LOT of colors but not invest a million dollars into their first watercolor set!
Ready to REALLY Get Creative with Me?
Check out the Mixed Media Society with me over at Awesome Art School! You'll learn even more about the myriad of art supplies on the market and more importantly HOW TO USE THEM to create mixed media masterpieces you can be proud of! We're having a blast and would love you to join us!!
Need MORE Art Supply Reviews?
Binge this playlist! You'll find my opinions and demos of everything from gelatos to pencils, markers, paint brushes, art books by other people and SO MUCH MORE!!
Wanna Stay in the Loop?
And get notified EVERY TIME I publish a new video on YouTube? Join my Email Newsletter!
As my way of saying thanks - grab a copy of my FREE Fun Fab Swatch Sheet or my Whimsical Face Drawing Guidelines!
As my way of saying thanks - grab a copy of my FREE Fun Fab Swatch Sheet or my Whimsical Face Drawing Guidelines!
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
❤️ CHECK OUT ALL my online art classes @ Awesome Art School
❤️ MY FAVORITE ART SUPPLIES on AMAZON (affiliate links)
❤️ MY BELOVED FACEBOOK GROUP
Thanks for hanging out with me today!!
FUN & EASY Mixed Media Project for Beginners with Derwent Graphitint Watercolor OVER Pencil
20/9/2022
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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:
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
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Today I'm unboxing a brand new set of Faber Castell watercolor markers! I've been in love with watercolor markers for my mixed media art projects for years, but only recently discovered Faber Castell makes a GIANT watercolor markers set filled with 30 colors!
Join me in my studio for a full Faber Castell watercolor markers review. We'll test these beauties against my favorite Winsor Newton watercolor markers, and compare their performance against mixed media artist brand favorites made by Ecoline and Tombow.
Join me in my studio for a full Faber Castell watercolor markers review. We'll test these beauties against my favorite Winsor Newton watercolor markers, and compare their performance against mixed media artist brand favorites made by Ecoline and Tombow.
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 tried to make 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.
I've tried to make 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. This playful book will keep you swatching for days!
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.
So WHY use watercolor markers in the first place? Control. It's a simple as that! Applying watercolors with a brush and water is a lot looser and can feel a bit dicier and unpredictable for tons of artists. Having the precision of a marker combined with the beautiful effects of watercolor is seriously magical!
I've been in LOVE with my Winsor Newton watercolor markers for years. They're a fine art product, so MUCH juicier, and more pigmented compared to other watersoluble markers on the market. They're also lightfast, which means the pigment is museum quality and the color in your mixed media art projects will stay beautiful FOREVER.
When I discovered this giant box of watercolor markers by Faber Castell, I immediately wondered how they would compare with my Winsor Newtons.
Because I've got mixed media beginners all the way to advanced students working with me over at Awesome Art School, I'm also going to test the Faber Castells against Ecoline Brush Pens and Tombow Dual Brush Pens as well because they're a little more budget friendly. Plus, LOTS of my students have at least a few watersoluble markers by one or both of these brands.
Because I've got mixed media beginners all the way to advanced students working with me over at Awesome Art School, I'm also going to test the Faber Castells against Ecoline Brush Pens and Tombow Dual Brush Pens as well because they're a little more budget friendly. Plus, LOTS of my students have at least a few watersoluble markers by one or both of these brands.
As far as a cost comparison for Faber Castell Watercolor Markers vs Winsor Newton Watercolor Markers, the Winsor Newtons are definitely more expensive, at around $6/marker - if you buy them individually. They do offer a few sets of 12 (check out my Amazon shop), but costs can vary up to $90/set!
The Faber Castell Watercolor Marker Set of 30 isn't cheap by any means, but you get 30 colors for less than $100 (current Amazon price is $94) - so you're getting a bigger bang for your buck!
As soon as I opened the Faber Castells, right away I noticed a skin tone watercolor marker! This got me SUPER excited, because I don't have one of these in my Winsor Newton Watercolor collection. I can't wait to play with that one for one of my mixed media faces!!
I also noticed I've got five gorgeous blues, five beautiful greens , and an awesome set of six grayscale shades to play with. I LOVE my Grayscale Tombow Dual Brush Pens set, so the Faber Castell version will be really fun to try out too.
The first thing I like to do when I'm comparing mixed media art supplies in any category is to see how juicy and vibrant the pigment is. How the colors look on my paper, and how much coverage I can get QUICKLY are both really important features to me.
All of them have decent coverage and the shades of blue I'm testing are all beautiful. But as soon as my Winsor Newton watercolor marker hits the page, I can immediately tell a difference. I felt a similar juiciness from the Faber Castell watercolor marker as well. Both beat out the Ecoline and Tombow brands here, hands down.
Before I tested the watersolubility factor on each of these brands, I decided to dry the page completely with my hair dryer to see how each brand activated with water when dry.
I used one of my favorite Polina Bright watercolor brushes to activate each line with water.
If you're new to Polina's watercolor brushes, you're in for a treat. They hold SO much water and are amazing. They are now the only watercolor brush I use. If you're interested in learning more about these, here is a recent product demo video and full Polina Bright watercolor brushes review.
If you're new to Polina's watercolor brushes, you're in for a treat. They hold SO much water and are amazing. They are now the only watercolor brush I use. If you're interested in learning more about these, here is a recent product demo video and full Polina Bright watercolor brushes review.
If you'd like to pick up your own Polina Bright watercolor brush or set, Polina has offered a 10% discount to my followers, so be sure to use this link when you shop! If you do order anything here- just a quick fyi, Polina is located in Australia so shipping may take a bit more time, but I promise, it's well worth the wait!
If you're new to Polina Bright - her art is simply fantastic, so be sure to look her up to see the gorgeous faces she creates as well.
If you're new to Polina Bright - her art is simply fantastic, so be sure to look her up to see the gorgeous faces she creates as well.
As you'll see in today's video, when I activated the Winsor Newton lines on my paper, I got such a rich effect. Plus, you'll notice I was able to fully disolve my original lines once I added water.
Both the Ecoline and Tombow activated beautifully too, but their original lines did NOT disolve as much as the Winsor & Newton and Faber-Castell lines. If this is a feature that's important to you, you might want to skip Ecolines and Tombows.
Both the Ecoline and Tombow activated beautifully too, but their original lines did NOT disolve as much as the Winsor & Newton and Faber-Castell lines. If this is a feature that's important to you, you might want to skip Ecolines and Tombows.
I also noticed a bit of granulation in the Faber Castells as well. Granulation is super common with watercolors becuase the pigment is typically made from minerals. This effect is something you won't see in a synthetic, dye based watercolor marker like Tombows or Ecoliners, and is something I LOVE about watercolors in general.
Here's what the brush nibs of each marker tested today look like side by side (above). I have to say they're all pretty comparable. Faber Castell has the widest nib (third from the left), while Winsor Newton's (far right) is both wide and long.
I felt the Winsor Newton nib was most flexible, and therefore felt most like a paint brush. The Faber Castell nib felt more like a felt tip or typical marker, and had zero flexibility.
I felt the Winsor Newton nib was most flexible, and therefore felt most like a paint brush. The Faber Castell nib felt more like a felt tip or typical marker, and had zero flexibility.
When comparing the bullet nibs from each of the markers tested today, they're also quite comparable (below). I rarely use this side of my dual brush pens or markers, but if this is something you're curious about, here's what they look like (excluding the Ecoliner, because it doesn't come with a bullet nib).
I hope you found this info helpful. Make sure you click over to the video to see everything in action!
See ya back here next week with lesson six of my FREE #50FunFabFairies drawing challenge!
See ya back here next week with lesson six of my FREE #50FunFabFairies drawing challenge!
Thanks for hanging out with me today!
❤️ CHECK OUT ALL my art books on AMAZON
❤️ MY FAVORITE ART SUPPLIES on AMAZON
❤️ MY BELOVED FACEBOOK GROUP
❤️ FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM
❤️ CHECK OUT ALL my art books on AMAZON
❤️ MY FAVORITE ART SUPPLIES on AMAZON
❤️ MY BELOVED FACEBOOK GROUP
❤️ FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM
WHAT IS GOUACHE?! How to Use it in Mixed Media Art + Gouache Alternatives for Matte Finish Lovers!
8/6/2022
What is GOUACHE anyway?! I get asked about the meaning of gouache all the time by my mixed media beginners. In today's mixed media art supply demo, I'll show you WHAT gouache is, explain WHY mixed media artists might want to use it, plus give you a demo of my favorite brands and gouache alternatives for EVERY budget.
If you've been searching for a gouache definition, info on gouache vs acrylic, gouache vs watercolor, or simply want to know about ALL the supplies - today's video is FOR YOU!
Are you new to mixed media art, or just wanna learn more about mixed media art supplies so you can create mixed media masterpieces instead of a hot mess?! You're in the RIGHT PLACE!
Simply click the button below to grab my FREE Supplies Guide!
Simply click the button below to grab my FREE Supplies Guide!
Need a video of me explaining the Supplies Guide in Action, after you print it out? I've got you!!
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.
Everything I know about gouache, I've learned from my Scottish bestie, artist, Lucy Brydon (top right - that's us just a few short weeks ago, moments before we opened the doors to Wardhill Castle for our 2022 Castle Art Retreat!).
Lucy is truly a gouache artist! She loves painting portraits, animals and doing goache flower painting in the backgrounds of her work. Take a look at this recent piece she did of her dog, Miso! Isn't this gorgeous?!
Lucy is truly a gouache artist! She loves painting portraits, animals and doing goache flower painting in the backgrounds of her work. Take a look at this recent piece she did of her dog, Miso! Isn't this gorgeous?!
If you look closely at Lucy's piece above, you'll notice there's no sheen to her paint, and it's very opaque. You might even guess that the painting was done in acrylics, but it wasn't, it's gouache.
Time for a quick gouache definition... Gouache is a watercolor that is totally opaque, and very, very matte. Take a closer look at the red background on my gouache portrait painting on the left, or the blue hair and skin tones in my girl on the right. This is the look gouache can help you achieve in your mixed media art projects.
Time for a quick gouache definition... Gouache is a watercolor that is totally opaque, and very, very matte. Take a closer look at the red background on my gouache portrait painting on the left, or the blue hair and skin tones in my girl on the right. This is the look gouache can help you achieve in your mixed media art projects.
Lots of students wonder about gouache vs acrylic paint. If you like a matte look, and that's really all you're after, why not just paint with acrylics?
Gouache doesn't behave like acrylics. Because it's actually watercolor, it's highly water reactive, it will keep reacting when water is added. This is really important to understand, because if you're working in layers, whenever you add a new layer of gouache on top of a previous layer, you can easily reactivate your bottom layer. Lots of artists love playing with these effects, but in case that's not YOU, stay with me, because I've got gouache alternatives to share with you today!
Gouache doesn't behave like acrylics. Because it's actually watercolor, it's highly water reactive, it will keep reacting when water is added. This is really important to understand, because if you're working in layers, whenever you add a new layer of gouache on top of a previous layer, you can easily reactivate your bottom layer. Lots of artists love playing with these effects, but in case that's not YOU, stay with me, because I've got gouache alternatives to share with you today!
Before I get to today's demo, there are two other things you need to know about gouache...
1. Gouache works beautifully on ANY surface from cheap watercolor paper to wood or canvas (yup, I've tried them all!)
2. You DON'T need a a special gouache brush to work with this medium. In fact, I use my cheapies, because gouache texture is a thicker consistency than watercolor, but not quite as thick as acrylics. Choose a brush that is kind of inbetween a soft watercolor brush and a stiff acrylic paint brush. I recently found this brush set on Amazon for $7, and they're perfect for gouache!
1. Gouache works beautifully on ANY surface from cheap watercolor paper to wood or canvas (yup, I've tried them all!)
2. You DON'T need a a special gouache brush to work with this medium. In fact, I use my cheapies, because gouache texture is a thicker consistency than watercolor, but not quite as thick as acrylics. Choose a brush that is kind of inbetween a soft watercolor brush and a stiff acrylic paint brush. I recently found this brush set on Amazon for $7, and they're perfect for gouache!
Let's get to the demo. First I'm swatching a square of of red guache by Turner Design. I found this brand at my local Jerry's Artarama for about $15/tube.
In general gouache can get expensive, so if you're chasing that gorgeous matte look, stay with me to see how you can achieve that from a number of cheaper gouache alternatives.
In general gouache can get expensive, so if you're chasing that gorgeous matte look, stay with me to see how you can achieve that from a number of cheaper gouache alternatives.
The next product I'm testing today is an acrylic gouache by Liquitex. Since this is an acrylic paint, it's NOT water reactive, which some artists prefer. If this is you, you might want to consider trying a bottle (also around $15/color).
If you're in the mood to play with a watercolor gouache and don't want to spend a ton of money, check out Himi gouache. These are super interesting gouache "jelly cups." I purchased a set of 50 shades, for about $50. This type of gouache is very thick in consistency.
In case you DON'T want water solubility, Golden just came out with a line of "flat" acrylics. They're pretty pricey at $20 for a tiny jar, but if you compare it to the other brands of gouache and gouache alternatives I tested today, it's amazing quality for a matte finish, and I can't see any of my brush strokes like I can in the rest of today's swatches.
Another great "cheat" you can try if you're after that look of a super matte finish, is mixing your acrylic paint with matte medium. Now, if you're in my world, you know I use matte medium ALL THE TIME in my mixed media art projects as a type of glue for my collage because it's got great adhesive properties and is made to work with acrylic paint (which I typically use OVER my collage layers).
I recently discovered this "ultra matte" version of matte medium by Liquitex, and decided to test this out today mixed with a little acrylic paint to see how it compares to our other options.
I recently discovered this "ultra matte" version of matte medium by Liquitex, and decided to test this out today mixed with a little acrylic paint to see how it compares to our other options.
In terms of opacity for the variations I tested today, Golden's So Flat line is definitely a notch above the rest. I can't see a single brush stroke line, so if this is the look you're after, and you can pay around $20/tube for it- I highly suggest choosing this one.
The Mattise Matte Acrylic is a runner up for me in terms of opacity, but still fairly expensive at $15 - 20 /tube.
The Mattise Matte Acrylic is a runner up for me in terms of opacity, but still fairly expensive at $15 - 20 /tube.
The least opaque variation I tested today were the Himi gouache cups. These are also the cheapest option, and we all know you kinda get what you pay for. However, if you just want to experiment with gouache and love lots of color options for $1-2 / color - gouache jelly paint is your best bet.
If you're looking for a higher quality gouache, pretty much all the higher fine art brands carry them.I love this one (not tested today, but I often use this Winsor Newton Permanent White Gouache to add highlights on top of my watercolor pieces).
If you're looking for a higher quality gouache, pretty much all the higher fine art brands carry them.I love this one (not tested today, but I often use this Winsor Newton Permanent White Gouache to add highlights on top of my watercolor pieces).
If opacity is what you're after, and you don't care about activating your matte layer with water, I highly suggest you consider one of the gouache alternatives I tested today - either the Liquitex acrylic gouache or Matisse Matte acylic. I think you'll be super happy with those!
Or, for even LESS of an investment, you can pick up a bottle of Liquitex Ultra Matte Medium for around $22. It will last you forever, and you can experiment with adding it any shade of acrylic paint or craft paint you already have on hand!
Make sure you click over to the video to see each of these gouache and acrylic alternative options side by side to see which one YOU might love most!
Or, for even LESS of an investment, you can pick up a bottle of Liquitex Ultra Matte Medium for around $22. It will last you forever, and you can experiment with adding it any shade of acrylic paint or craft paint you already have on hand!
Make sure you click over to the video to see each of these gouache and acrylic alternative options side by side to see which one YOU might love most!
Do you LOVE fairies and fantasy art? I'm currently running a FREE drawing challenge called #50FunFabFairies over on my YouTube drawing channel.
Literally thousands of other artists - from beginners to advanced, are playing along. I set up a FREE classroom for the participants over at Awesome Art School. Come join in the fun!!
Don't ya just love a funky watercolor portrait with attitude?! Today I'm trying a new-to-me mixed media technique using FOUR simple supplies: Noodler's ink, watercolor and colored pencils with a layer of wax pastels on top!
If you've never tried Caran D'Ache Neocolor Is (basically wax crayons for artists), grab a set to create along with me, and I'll talk you through the project step by step.
Or, sit back and relax as I create this "Hot Dog Style" project in my mixed media sketchbook in real time.
If you've never tried Caran D'Ache Neocolor Is (basically wax crayons for artists), grab a set to create along with me, and I'll talk you through the project step by step.
Or, sit back and relax as I create this "Hot Dog Style" project in my mixed media sketchbook in real time.
I've been teaching my signature mixed media technique for layering, "The Hamburger System," for almost 2 years now, and it's been a game changer for SO many students!
Sometimes, mixed media beginners can feel a bit overwhelmed by all the new supplies. I recently created a condensed approach using just 4 supplies, called the "Hot Dog System."
I also made a ginormous 32-page PDF (you're welcome!) to go with it, giving you examples of 4-art supply layer combos- HOT DOG STYLE- not just from me, but from TWENTY of my artsy friends to inspire you!
Sometimes, mixed media beginners can feel a bit overwhelmed by all the new supplies. I recently created a condensed approach using just 4 supplies, called the "Hot Dog System."
I also made a ginormous 32-page PDF (you're welcome!) to go with it, giving you examples of 4-art supply layer combos- HOT DOG STYLE- not just from me, but from TWENTY of my artsy friends to inspire you!
Click the button below to download this FREE 32-page stack of cheatsheets just filled with mixed media "Hot Dog System" inspiration!
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.
Today I'm doing a mixed media project in the style presented by my friend Tara, on page two of my hot dog packet. The four supplies she's using are watercolor and colored pencils, Noodler's Ink, and what is basically a fine art crayon, made by Caran D'Ache. I didn't even have those, so needed to take a quick field trip to my FAVORITE art supply store in town - Jerry's Artarama!
After a quick Jerry's stop, I gathered the rest of my supplies for today's project. Then I did a little Pinterest search through my face drawing references.
If you're new to my world, you may not know that I have a fascination with digital art. I use digital portraits and characters all the time as faces for drawing reference to inspire my own work. These images are perfect to guide you where you need to add shading, especially if you don't know how to shade faces yet.
I also love to challenge myself to recreate digital faces using traditional materials. Take a look at this guy!
If you're new to my world, you may not know that I have a fascination with digital art. I use digital portraits and characters all the time as faces for drawing reference to inspire my own work. These images are perfect to guide you where you need to add shading, especially if you don't know how to shade faces yet.
I also love to challenge myself to recreate digital faces using traditional materials. Take a look at this guy!
I love his deep eyes and dramatic facial features. They're kinda magnificent - like they've been sculpted out of clay or something.
Since the purpose of today's project is to try a new combination of 4 art supplies, I'm not gonna bother with making my drawing perfect. I'm just blocking in what I see from my reference photo with my mechanical pencil . If you don't have one, these are my favorites!
Since the purpose of today's project is to try a new combination of 4 art supplies, I'm not gonna bother with making my drawing perfect. I'm just blocking in what I see from my reference photo with my mechanical pencil . If you don't have one, these are my favorites!
Since the watercolor is my base layer, I'm going to keep it fairly simple, so we can add depth later with our colored pencils and wax crayons.
A lot of my students ask me about my favorite paint brushes. Right now I'm seriously in love with the ones by artist, Polina Bright (shown above). They take a while to ship because they're from Australia, but they are SO worth it!
Polina made a coupon code JUST FOR MY FOLLOWERS, so you can save 10% off your order. Simply enter my name in all caps (KARENCAMPBELL) at checkout on her website. To see how her watercolor brushes compare to two of my other favorite brands, check out this video.
As far as skin tone watercolor shades go, I tend to be kinda lazy about mixing colors to come up with my own color. I prefer to use shades someone else created, right outta the box or tube because it's faster!
For a couple of years, the Complexion Watercolor Set by Prima has been my go to. It's got some beautiful light, medium and dark skin tones you can play with straight from the palette (or mix if that's fun for you). If you'd like to learn more about it,I did a video on this skin tone watercolor set not too long ago that will answer ALL your questions :)
Polina made a coupon code JUST FOR MY FOLLOWERS, so you can save 10% off your order. Simply enter my name in all caps (KARENCAMPBELL) at checkout on her website. To see how her watercolor brushes compare to two of my other favorite brands, check out this video.
As far as skin tone watercolor shades go, I tend to be kinda lazy about mixing colors to come up with my own color. I prefer to use shades someone else created, right outta the box or tube because it's faster!
For a couple of years, the Complexion Watercolor Set by Prima has been my go to. It's got some beautiful light, medium and dark skin tones you can play with straight from the palette (or mix if that's fun for you). If you'd like to learn more about it,I did a video on this skin tone watercolor set not too long ago that will answer ALL your questions :)
I don't often draw guys, but sometimes I just love to do something a little different. If you're interested in learning how to draw a male face for beginners, I published a book a couple of years ago called How to Draw Fun, Fab Fellas.
After I get the face shading done for today's dude, it's time to move on to his hair. Cobalt blue violet by Daniel Smith was calling my name. If you're new to watercolor, or thinking about starting a Daniel Smith watercolor collection, be sure to watch this video.
Typically I would shade the larger areas first, and finish off with colored pencil for detail because I tend to work biggest to smallest, but Tara has suggested doing the opposite, so I'm giving that a shot. Out come my prismacolors!
It cracks me up that he looks SO MAD. LOL!
Look at how the colored pencils are really bringing out the texture of my cold pressed watercolor paper. Beautiful! I love that effect.
Look at how the colored pencils are really bringing out the texture of my cold pressed watercolor paper. Beautiful! I love that effect.
After the colored pencil layer, it was time for the Caran D'Ache Neocolor Ones to come out and play. These really felt like working with crayons from childhood, except that they're a high quality fine art product. I kinda loved them! The white was super opaque too, which really made me happy. I'd love to play with them on hot pressed paper too because I wonder how they would look over a smooth surface without texture.
Whenever I need a super bold, amazing background, I pull out my Noodler's fountain pen ink. It's seriously juicy and so vibrant. This color is called Bad Green Gator. I think it's a perfect backdrop for his crazy hair, don't you?
And as all my students know, the way that I love to finish, 99% of my projects is with my pentel pocket brush. It's perfect for outlining and detail work. It's also amazing for drawing eyelashes on my female mixed media portraits!
I hope you enjoyed today's project and learned something new!
I hope you enjoyed today's project and learned something new!
Not familiar with my "Hamburger System"? It's a simple order of operations for collage, acrylic paint, mod podge and ALL my favorite mixed media art supplies. I'm sure you'll love it!
Check out my Hamburger System playlist for FREE on YouTube to see the entire process step by step, in action. Here's the FREE cheatsheet to go along with it!
❤️ CHECK OUT ALL MY ONLINE ART CLASSES & Art Clubs
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Karen Campbell
Founder of Awesome Art School. Mixed Media Artist. Author of 18 Instructional Art Books!
Posting on YouTube every single Wednesday of the year!
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How-to-color-a-baby-face-in-copic-markers
How To Create A Watercolor Palette
How To Draw
How-to-draw-a-34-view-face
How-to-draw-a-babys-face
How-to-draw-a-face
How-to-draw-a-fairy
How-to-draw-a-fairy-face
How-to-draw-a-male-face
How-to-draw-and-shade-a-face-in-copic-markers
How-to-draw-and-shade-a-whimsical-african-american-face
How To Draw Anime & Manga
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How-to-draw-asian-eyes
How-to-draw-a-smile-with-teeth
How-to-draw-bangs
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How To Draw Eyelashes
How To Draw Eyes Realistically
How To Draw Fairy Ears
How To Draw Figures
How To Draw Freckles
How To Draw Hair
How To Draw Lips
How To Draw Lips Realistically
How To Draw Noses Realistically
How To Draw Realistic Ears
How To Draw Teeth
How To Draw Wrinkles
How To Paint Eyelashes
How To Shade
How To Shade DARK Skin Tones With Alcohol Markers
How To Shade Faces With Alcohol Markers
How To Shade Faces With Tombow Markers
How To Sketch A 3 Quarter Portrait
How To Sketch A Face
How To Swatch Art Supplies
How To Transfer A Drawing
LARGE Canvas Painting Technique
Lickleyhead Castle
Line Drawing
Magical Mashup
Marker Storage Solutions
Marker Tips
Martini Glass Drawing
Mermaid
Mixed Media
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Mixed Media Project
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Mixed Media YouTube
Monochromatic Drawing
My Favorite Art Supplies
My Favorite Watercolors
My Journey As An Artist
New Book!
No Draw Mixed Media Art Project
Noodler's Ink
Nose Drawing Practice
Ohuhu Alcohol Markers
Oil Pastels Brand Comparison For Beginners
Oil Pastels For Beginners
Old Book Crafts
Owl Painting
Paint Brush Types
Painting On Canvas
Painting With Ink
Paint Markers
Palette Knife Painting
Pan Pastels
Paper Napkin Art Journal Background
Pastel Watercolor Sets
Pencil Drawing Tutorial
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Portrait Drawing Tutorial
Posca Alternatives
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Prima Watercolor Sets
Profile Drawing
Profile Drawing Tutorial
Quadrant Method
Reference Drawing
Scotland
Scottish Castle Art Retreat
SEE INSIDE MY Art Books!
Shading Faces
Sheet Music Art
Side Profile Drawing
Side View Drawing
Silver Black Velvet Brushes
Sketching Tutorial
Skull Watercolor Tutorial
Spray Paint On Canvas Idea
Stabilo All Pencil Projects
Stenciling & Stamping Techniques
Three Quarter View Face
Time Lapse Drawing Video
Tissue Paper Art Journal Background
Tombow Brush Pens
Tombow Mono Zero Eraser
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Toned Paper Drawing
Travel Art Supplies
Upcycled Art
Upcycle Old Books
Value Scale Drawing
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Wardhill Castle
Watercolor
Watercolor And Colored Pencil
Watercolor And What Else?
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Watercolor Fairy
Watercolor For Beginners
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Watercolor Portrait
Watercolors
Watercolor Sets I Love
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Watercolor Tutorial
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What Is Mixed Media Art?
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Whimsical Face Drawing Tutorial
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Whimsical Women Of The World World Portrait Drawing Series
YouTube Drawing Channel
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"Karen is flipping hilarious and she's very real...I like the way she teaches in a way that really gives you confidence, whether you're a beginner or advanced there's always something new to learn!"
- Elizabeth W. |
What Fans Are SayingKaren, you are absolutely fabulous! You make me feel like I can draw anything. I have recently retired and finally have the time to do some of the art that I have loved since I was in school. I am really at the beginning of my art journey and I hope to learn as much as I can. Thank you for all you do. |
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