June Free Video Tutorial Recap

During June I featured a lot of really cool mixed media techniques and ideas and in case you missed out on the fun, here is a recap with links to each video so that you can find them easily. Bookmark this page and revisit when you need some quick inspo. (Note: This page contains affiliate links which pay me a small commission when you purchase from them.)

Searching online for artistic inspiration can be overwhelming if you do not have a trusted source. Since I have been keeping a journal of my paintings, I find myself simply flipping through it rather than sitting with my phone for 3 hours browsing and browsing. (Plus, you never know what social media channels are going to show you on any given day!) I record my thoughts on the process of each painting as well as my color mixes and an ink jet photo of each completed piece. This has become my most valuable tool as an artist. Follow this link to see the video.

You can find a gazillion acrylic mediums when shopping. If I had to pick 3, these would be the mediums I have to have on hand at all times:

Acrylic Glazing Liquid: I use a small drop or two of this to adjust the drying time of my acrylic paint PLUS I use it to create sheer glazes of color in my artwork. Blending like I use in my paintings requires the paint to dry slowly. This is my number one most important medium in my practice. I use the satin formula. My affiliate link for it is here on Dick Blick.

Pastel Ground: I use this medium to add some tooth wherever I need it. When you add this translucent paste to your work and let it dry, crayons, pencils and pastels go onto your work much more heavily. Sometimes if I am having trouble signing my name to a piece, I use a little fingertip of this paste in the corner of my work. Once dry, the pencil writes really nicely. You can also mix this into your paint to create a sandpaper like appearance. This medium makes mark making easy! You can find it here.

Soft Gel Gloss: Soft gel gloss is another workhorse in the studio that is valuable in more ways than one. You can use it to attach paper collage elements to your work. You can use it to thicken up your paint for texture (it is the consistency of yogurt), you can even use it for gel transfers! I Like to make sure that the mediums I purchase can be used more ways that one, so I buy the gloss version. A gloss product will not create a haze over your paint color like its matte counterpart. If the shine is too much for you when your work is dry, you can always use a satin varnish all over your art to push it back. Purchase the gel here. Click here to watch the video and read through the comments.

A great way to pump up your stencil game is to apply them so that they look time worn and distressed. Watch the video here to see the technique I use. If you are shopping for stencils. I think this set is a good price with interesting patterns.

This is a great way to incorporate stable, archival texture into your art work. The molding paste I am using is lightweight and paint looks really interesting when you allow it to run through the dry paste. You can also mix in paint with the wet paste to apply the paste colored. This is the paste I am using in the video.

Are you stuck in a rut? Painting with different tools, adding some water to your paint to allow it to move easily on your canvas and trying some new supplies might do the trick! In this video, I demonstrate some quick, easy painting techniques that can help you if your practice is feeling stagnant. Heavily applied Neocolor II artist crayons are always fun to work with. Here is a great set to add to your tools.

Grab some acetate and check out this great idea to test out new ideas in your abstract paintings! A painted collection of your favorite colors and shapes in that box present endless ways to study new looks in your artwork. I am using ink jet acetate sheets like this.

I hope you find these technique videos useful! I am always happy to hear from you. Leave me a comment if you have any questions.