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Behind the Studio Door: Collection Blocks 13
Welcome back to the studio! Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on my latest mixed-media piece...
Collection Blocks 13 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
Frame Color
Shadows
Shadows
Accent Color
Accent 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 never 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.
Mermaid Crown Materials and Dimensional Elements:
Real shells - several sizes and shapes
Plastic objects made to look like glass shells
Rhinestone and plastic jewelry pieces, pearls, and trinkets
Plastic aquarium plants
Scrapbook paper for underlayer
Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue - for small elements
E6000 Contact Adhesive - for larger, heavier elements
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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Like the original? Bring one home.
Shop the Original Artwork and Available Prints
The Original Mermaid Crown Artwork:
Mixed-media on artist board 11"x14"
Print Options in Various Sizes:
Canvas Wrap Print
Acrylic Print
Archival Fine Art Prints