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Behind the Studio Door: Collection Blocks 08
Welcome back to the studio! Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on my latest mixed-media piece...
Collection Blocks 08 Palette. I hope these will inspire your next creation.
Collection Blocks are a series of artwork created to be displayed individually or as a multipule grouping to create your own gallery wall.
Main Color
Accent Color
Shadows
Shadows
Main Color
Getting Started: Core Techniques & Supplies
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My Background Secret: To create my background, I use a variety of colors in very thin layers. I mix my paint with matte or satin medium exclusively and I do not use water. Mediums can make the paint thinner and translucent and keep the color true. This gives a beautiful way to lay two translucent colors next to each other and blend the edge. I prefer the Golden or Liquitex brand.
Collection Blocks 08 Technique and Materials - Composition
Many of you have been told not to center your work. As you can see, centering my subject made it powerful and iconic. I find dead-center symmetry creates a beautiful graphic impact in my work.
When I placed the figure dead-center she could look mechanical or stagnant. Instead, she commands immediate focus without feeling stiff. That is because of a few compositional secrets or rules I made up to pull it off.
Rule 1: Break Perfect Symmetry - I kept the main mass of the woman dead-center, but I shifted her internal lines. With a tilt of her head, the curve in her hip, and raising her arm she became more interesting. I also broke symmetry by using a flower which is never a symmetrical object but gives that illusion while entertaining the eye.
Rule 2: Anchor the Subject - A centered subject needs a strong background anchor to prevent it from feeling like it is floating aimlessly in space. The flower I used radiates from the center while anchoring the woman in the image. A plus is having the object radiate outward from the center which keeps the eye moving in and out from the interest it creates.
Rule 3: Maximize Contrast at the Core - To make a centered composition striking, your absolute highest contrast must live right at the focal point. Let your background elements stay soft, textured, or lower in value to pull the eye right where you want it. Bring your sharpest edges, brightest highlights, and deepest darks right to the middle.
You will make a beautiful composition - enjoy!
My Number One Tip for Success: I use cradled wood panels exclusively
Flexible canvases can stretch, shrink, expand, and is affected by changes in temperature and humidity. This causes thick layers of paper, layered paint, 3D objects, added texture, all used in mixed media to crack over time.
Wood panels keep your artwork completely stable, structural strength allows you to safely adhere heavy objects and prevents the microscopic movements that cause thick mixed media layers to crack or delaminate as they age. A high-quality wood panel remains physically stable for generations and is the best permanent museum-quality substrate available to artists.
Always seal your wood panel before you begin! I use a matte medium and seal front and sides.
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Shop the Original Artwork and Available Prints
The Original Collection Blocks 08 Artwork:
Mixed-media on artist board 6"x8"
8"x10" Print Options:
Canvas Wrap Print
Acrylic Print
Archival Fine Art Prints