While abstract paintings are still a mystery to many people, mixed media paintings are emerging as another popular form of art. But, still, there are a large number of people who get confused whenever this term is used. So, in this blog, we will learn about what these paintings and what challenges are there to tackle when you want to try it yourself. 

What is Mixed Media Painting?

A mixed media painting is a single visual artform that combines various painting and drawing materials and mediums instead of only one medium in order to create a unique piece. For instance, if you raw something on the canvas with ink, then paint over it with water colors, and then further add some highlights in colored pencil, it would be called a mixed media. In short, it is simply an artwork that contains a variety of media. 

The unfettering experience of mixed media painting can surely add vitality and uniqueness to your artwork. Materials like ink, gouache, pastel, gesso, acrylic, and charcoal can all be used to create beautiful and vibrant paintings.  

Concept of Mixed Media Painting Is Not NEW!!

If you learn about these paintings lately, this doesn’t mean that they are modern creations. There are some corroborations that demonstrated that mixed media paintings were also created in previous centuries. For example, gold leaf was often added to church paintings, Leonardo da Vinci used pastels with other painting media, William Blake’s prints demonstrated the effect of watercolor washes, and Edgar Degas used pastels with charcoal and printing inks. 

There are several pieces of evidence which suggest that mixed media paintings came into existence very early in history. 

Do you like to paint too? Try Mixed Media

The beginners can give this technique a try to discover new experiences. Here are some tips for beginners to give a try:

• Combine a wet and a dry medium.
• Focus on mark making with lines rather than blocks of color or tone
• Work in layers. Add media on top without completely hiding what’s underneath. 

You can also use more than one medium. Remember that mixing the same type of paints of different brands is not regarded as mixed-media. Something that you can turn dry into a wet medium by using water or solvent is considered as one medium rather than two. Using watercolor paint (wet) and watercolor pencil (dry) is okay but the paint must come from a tube or pans, not the pencils. Items that you will be using for collage will be counted as dry. In case you are using a pencil, it must be an integral part of the painting instead of just an initial sketch to establish the composition. 

Don’t Like Painting But a Fan of Art???

If it is so, you can always make your home, shop, restaurant, office, hotel, or any place vibrant by hanging a large mixed media painting or a combo of similar (not same) mixed media paintings. 

Having such an artistic piece in your place will really add value and enhance aesthetics.