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MIXED MEDIAREVOLUTIONCreative ideas and teChniques for reusing Your art
By Darlene Olivia McElroy and Sandra Duran Wilson
BONUS ONLINE-ONLY CONTENT
north light booksCincinnati, Ohio
createmixedmedia.com
BONUS ONLINE-ONLY CONTENT
RECYCLE, REUSEC H A P T E R 1
Yummy Leftovers Variation: Dirty Salt It!This technique uses salt leftover from a popular resist technique first published in Surface Treatment Workshop and which we are reprinting here. The RECYCLE, REUSE variation begins with Step 4.
4 Repeat this technique reusing the salt you brushed off in Step 3. If you used a larger-grain salt there should still be some paint still stuck
to it.
5 This time paint your surface a different paint color. When you sprinkle the dirty salt on the wet paint it will transfer some of the
first color onto the new color.
1 Paint the surface with paint diluted with water, about the
consistency of 2 percent milk.2 Sprinkle different sizes of salt
on top of the wet paint. 3 After the paint is dry, use a paper towel to brush off the salt.
TIPS
•Do not wait more than an hour or two to brush off the salt. Otherwise you may have a permanently gritty surface.
•Use table salt, sea salt and rock salt to create a variety of interesting patterns.
• You will get a different look on porous versus slick surfaces.
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Street Sweeping Variation: Rusting AlternativeIn Mixed Media Revolution we explain how to rust items by wrapping them in plastic and spraying with water and vinegar and adding salt if desired. But there are also commercial products to help with the process and you’ll likely get faster results with these products. Here is how they work.
1 Prepare the surface as desired and allow it to dry.
Using a clean paintbrush, paint the surface with the iron part of the two-part compound. Let it dry thoroughly. Clean the paintbrush immediately.
2 With a clean paintbrush, apply the rusting agent. 3 It can take an hour or more
for the change in appearance to show. A second coat may be applied at any time if the effect is not working as well as you want.
TIPS
• If your piece is not rusting, it’s usually because not enough of one of the two compounds was applied. Just add more.
•Do not use the same brush for both parts of the compound, or you will get a rusty brush.
• To eliminate contrasting surface color showing through, paint the surface dark gray or burnt umber.
• You can use this technique on just about any surface. We recommend testing it on a small patch before committing to working on an entire surface.
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COPY, SCANNINGC H A P T E R 2
Gel TransfersThis is a classic and low-tech method for transferring images and it requires minimal materials. In Chapter 2, this technique is referenced in both New From Old and Dreamy.
1 Apply soft gloss gel to the surface you are going to
transfer to.2 Lightly spray the laser or toner
print of your image with water. 3 While both are still wet, place the image face down onto the
surface and rub all over to ensure adequate adhesion. Be careful not to get gel on the back of the image you are transferring. Allow to dry overnight.
4 Mist the back of the transfer-ring image with water. 5 Rub off the paper. A piece of
brown craft paper is especially helpful in removing those last bits of paper
6 You can also apply gentle pressure with your fingers to
remove the paper backing from your transferred image.
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Gel TransfersTIPS• Youmaygetsomesmearingwhenusinganinkjetprinterto
make a gel transfer. If you only have access to an inkjet printer and you absolutely have to try this right now, spray the printout first with a workable fixative. You may have to spray several times for best results.
• Ifyoudon’tapplythegelonperfectly,yourtransfercanbemore random—which isn’t necessarily a bad thing!
• Yourtransfershouldbemoist—notwet.Ifitiswet,youcouldend up with unwanted wrinkles. But, again, those wrinkles could add a bit more visual interest, too.
• Ifyoustillhaveabitofpaperresidueonyourtransfer,useadamp brush with polymer medium to coat the surface. When dry, this will make the residue more transparent.
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CREATE LAYERSC H A P T E R 3
Crazy Easy TransferThis technique is one of our favorites! It’s like making a monoprint—whatever you transfer will be reversed—with almost no cleanup at all and without using a press. It can be done on canvas, panel, paper, Plexiglas or metal, and there is no limit on the size you can work in. The technique is great for creating layers, drawing, stamping, cutting into shapes and lots more. You will find a full photographic step-by-step demonstration of the technique in the book, in Chapter 6: Loosen Up, Tango for Two, Technique Two. But we thought you might find the following tips and tricks useful.
TIPS• Iftheimagehasnottransferredwelloratall,the
most common reasons are that you didn’t apply enough medium to your surface or substrate, you didn’t let the medium dry thoroughly, you didn’t rub it down well enough, or you placed the wrong side of the plastic into the medium (make sure it is paint side down).
•Wesuggestliftingonlyacorneroftheplastictocheck the medium for dryness.
•Whenusingacanvasasyoursurface,usesoftgelasthe medium for better adhesion.
• Ifyouusepaperasyoursurface,usemattemediumso the transfer method doesn’t show.
• Dryingtimewillvarydependingontheabsorbencyof the surface. For example, medium will dry faster on paper than on metal.
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MORPH ITC H A P T E R 4
Making and Using Waterslide DecalsThis technique gives you very crisp transfers onto paper, painting, Plexiglas, glass, metal, wood and almost anything else you can think of. Be sure to purchase the right type of paper for your printer. Then print your desired image onto the paper following manufacturer’s directions.
1 In a tray of warm water, place your printed decal paper face
down. Let the paper rest in the water until the transfer sheet starts to release from its backing.
2 Place the decal paper on a paper towel and blot well—but
be gentle! The decal paper is fragile.
3 Using a paintbrush, apply a thin layer of polymer medium
to your background surface.
4 Holding the bottom edge of the decal paper in place with
a paintbrush, slide the backing paper out from underneath the top/printed layer.
5 Using a clean, damp paint-brush, smooth out any air
pockets by making a cross through the image and working out in a radial pattern. Allow the image to dry thoroughly.
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TIPS• Tosealyourimage:Ifyouwantthetransfertobeopaque,usea
paintbrush to apply polymer medium over the image and allow to dry thoroughly. If you’d prefer transparency and would like to show the surface color and texture beneath the image, apply two or three coats of any oil-based varnish over the transfer using a clean paintbrush. Allow the image to dry between coats. This step may have to be repeated several times to achieve desired transparency. Do not brush over the image at any time with polymer medium.
• Becausethisprocessinvolvesanemulsiontransferandyouareusing polymer medium to bind the image to your surface, there may be a slight edge and plastic feel. Adding a layer of soft gel will make the edge disappear somewhat.
•Notsureifthedecalisreadyfortransfer?Thepaperandthetransfer sheet will start to separate when ready. You can test the paper by lightly sliding the transfer sheet from the paper backing. If it moves, it’s ready. If it doesn’t move, let it soak a little longer.
• Ifyouwishtomakealargerimagethanthesizeofthedecalpaper, you can resize the image with a photo editing program and print it on several sheets. This is known as tiling.
•Whenthetransferhasdriedcompletely,youcansanditforanaged look.
• Donotgetwaterslidedecalpaperwetpriortouse,asdoingso may glue the emulsion to the paper backing, preventing the image from sliding off.
• Ifthewaterslidedecalpaperisold,itmayrequireadditionalsoaking or resting time.
• Noneedtowasteanyofthewaterslidedecalpaper—draworprint images onto scraps.
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LOOSEN UPC H A P T E R 6
Get LooseIsyourpiecetoobusy?Orperhapsyouwouldlovetotrysomegesturalelementinyourotherwisetight painting. Think Rauschenberg; look up some of his work. Add wonderful gestural, expression-istic movements to your painting. If you are not ready for such a drastic combination, try loosening up some of your imagery. Leave out details and work with block shapes. It is amazing how much can be said with so little. Back up to view your art from a distance as it will change drastically with space.
1Create a crackle finish. For this piece I spread white glue down
the left and right sides.2 While the glue was still wet,
I painted over it with a sage green acrylic paint.
3 Allow the glue and paint to dry naturally or help the process
along with a heat gun or other heat source. When the paint dries, it will crackle, giving the piece a softer and older look.
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PLAY WITH COMPOSITIONC H A P T E R 7
Gel TransfersThis demo is essentially the same as the one on page 4, but we felt the art was different enough and compelling enough that we wanted to show you the technique once again. The finished art created here is titled Bold Horizons and you will find it in Chapter 7: Play with Composition: All Mixed Up.
1 Apply soft gloss gel to the surface you are going to transfer to. 2 Lightly spray the laser or toner print of your
image with water.
3 While both are still wet, place the image face down onto the surface and rub all over to ensure
adequate adhesion. Be careful not to get gel on the back of the image you are transferring. Allow to dry overnight.
4 Mist the back of the transferring image with water.
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PLAY WITH COMPOSITION
Gel Transfers
5 You can also apply gentle pressure with your fingers to remove the paper backing from your
transferred image.6 Rub off the paper. A piece of brown craft paper
is especially helpful in removing those last bits of paper.
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TEXTURE WHERE YOU WANT IT
C H A P T E R 9
Stencils Rule Variation: Crazy ShapesYou can try this technique using inexpensive deli, or sandwich wrap papers. You can buy them at restaurant supply stores or some of the big box stores carry them. You may even be able to ask for a few extra from your friendly corner deli when you go in to order your lunch.
1 Mix your paint with gels or pastes and use a palette knife or old credit card to smear the paint
onto the deli papers.
2 For fun don’t completely mix the paint into the gel. When you spread it onto the paper you will
have some areas with paint and some clear. You can get some wonderful gestures this way.
3 When this side is dry, you can flip it over and apply a contrasting color to the back side. The
paper is thin and the color will show through.
4 Let dry. Cut into shapes, circles, squares or whatever your imagination comes up with.
5 Use a polymer medium to glue your shapes. Smooth and press any air bubbles out.
6 Let dry.
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TEXTURE WHERE YOU WANT IT
Stencils Rule Variation: Crazy Shapes
HEAT WAVESandra Duran WilsonThe flowers near the top of this painting were created using the Crazy Shapes technique.
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About Sandra Duran Wilson
Sandra Duran Wilson is influenced by scientific concepts, the dream state and the nature of materials.
She loves to experiment and push the limits of paints, mediums and surfaces. She enjoys the tactile
aspect of paint and what it can do, and she has always been an inventor of new ways to use existing
tools and materials. She loves to paint ideas; to make them visible, beautiful and abstract so that others
mayenterthemandcreatetheirownreality.ShelivesandcreatesinSantaFe,NewMexico,withMark,
her husband and collaborator, and a bevy of feline friends.
Connect with Sandra:
Website:sandraduranwilson.com
Blog:sandraduranwilson.blogspot.com
imagetransferworkshop.blogspot.com
Facebook:SandraDuranWilsonAbstractArtist
YouTube:SandraDuranWilson
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About Darlene Olivia McElroy
DarleneOliviaMcElroycomesfromanoldNewMexicofamilyofstorytellersandartists.Shebeganmakingart
the first time she found a wall and a drawing instrument. Her grandfather, a painter on Catalina Island, was her
mentor and taught her to play and experiment with art. Darlene attended the Art Center College of Design
in Pasadena, California, and has worked as an illustrator both in the United States and in Paris. She went from
creating illustration traditionally to becoming one of the first nationally recognized digital illustrators in the
late1980s.DarlenelivesandworksinSantaFe,NewMexico,whereshepaints,teaches,writesandenjoysa
delightfully chaotic life with her husband, Dave, and their four dogs, Bernie, Bella, Taco and Zola.
Connect with Darlene:
Website:darleneoliviamcelroy.com
Blog:darleneoliviamcelroy.blogspot.com
imagetransferworkshop.blogspot.com
Facebook:DarleneMcElroy
Pinterest:DarleneMcElroy
Twitter:@Santa_Fe_artist
YouTube:darleneoliviamcelroy
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Resources
art & hobbY stores Acrylic paints, gels and gesso Golden digital ground or Inkaid Gampi paper Spray paint Stamps and stencils Tissue paper Water soluble crayons
Canvas reproduCtions Fineartamerica.com
fabriC stores Fusible web
pharmaCY or groCerY store Petroleum Jelly Aluminum foil
magnets, mousepads, Cards Zazzle.com Society6.com Cafepress.com
hardware store Plastic tarps Epoxy
plexiglas & metal reproduCtions Acrylicpix.com Bayphoto.com
offiCe supplY store Transparency film
waterslide deCals Lazertran.com
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The Books
ThESEANDOThErFINENOrThLIGHT MIXED MEDIA PRODUCTS ARE AvAIlABlEFrOMYOurlOcAlArTANDcrAFTSrETAIlEr,BOOkSTOrEANDFAvOrITEONlINESuPPlIEr.
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