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Step by step mixed media painting tutorial with acrylic, ink, gouache and pastels : Mosquito Creek

Step by step mixed media painting tutorial with acrylic, ink, gouache and pastels : Mosquito Creek
Painting technique / Step by step demonstrations

Step by step mixed media painting tutorial with acrylic, ink, gouache and pastels : Mosquito Creek

This is my latest mixed media on panel, this painting will be part of a future group exhibition so I had a few constraints: the size of the painting, the 2 lines (where the orange is in the process) where to be part of the composition and the subject had to be a forest.

My inspiration was a picture I took at Mosquito Creek, North Vancouver, here it is:

Mosquito creek forest

Mosquito creek forest, I  did cut and paste to change the composition on paint shop pro as you can see in the center of the picture.

Here are the steps for making this mixed media painting:

I trace squares to draw the trees, leaves, lines etc...

Because the drawing is relatively simple and I am not going to paint in a realistic style, I am using a squaring method to transfer the drawing to the board.

I want to work with watercolors, at least at the beginning so I apply absorbent ground on the panel everywhere except where the trees will be.

I want to work with watercolors, at least at the beginning so I apply absorbent ground on the panel everywhere except where the trees will be.

I apply pieces of a magazine with medium. I chose this magazine because it is black text on white with oranges highlights.

I apply pieces of a magazine with medium. I chose this magazine because it is black text on white with orange’s highlights

The shape of the trees is covered in magazines.

The shape of the trees is covered in magazine torn pieces

Now I want to represent the patterns on the birch bark, I start by working with India Ink

Now I want to represent the patterns on the birch bark, I start by working with India Ink

I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.

Speedball Super Black Waterproof India Ink

“Super black” means its blackness will be very permanent and fadeless. Contains 100% carbon black pigment. Also free-flowing, non-clogging, and waterproof.

You can still see the magazine under the ink.

You can still see the magazine under the ink.

Then I start working with watercolors on the background, this is the creek.

Then I start working with watercolors on the background, this is the creek.

I am applying a watercolor background on all areas of the painting.

I am applying a watercolor background on all areas of the painting.

Then I add some diluted white ink for the trees bark

Then I add some diluted white ink for the trees bark

Here is the texture I get when dried.

Here is a close up of the textures.

I apply a layer of gouache on top of the watercolor, love the texture that makes.

I apply a layer of gouache on top of the watercolor, love the texture that makes.

I draw the leaves with pastels.

I draw the leaves with pastels.

I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.

Prismacolor NuPastel Color Sticks

NuPastels have a rich, creamy texture that blends and shades easily. Frequently used in advertising layouts, NuPastels are stronger than ordinary soft pastels, which means less breakage and easier cleanup. Use them to create broad strokes and fine lines.

I fix the watercolor, gouache, ink and pastels with krylon workable fixative.

I fix the watercolor, gouache, ink and pastels with krylon workable fixative.

I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.

Krylon Workable Matte Fixatif

Gives lasting protection to pencil, charcoal and chalk, yet erases easily. Clear, matte fixative is easy to work with. Dries in seconds, doesn’t wrinkle, smudge or smear. Spray can.

I paint an acrylic orange under-painting in the middle area.

I paint an acrylic orange under-painting in the middle area.

I like the look of charcoal lines mixed with painting, so I draw some lines around the trees.

I like the look of charcoal lines mixed with painting, so I draw some lines around the trees.

My first idea was to draw rocks in that area but I changed my mind and decide to use a rubber stamp and stamp a pattern of lines

My first idea was to draw rocks in that area but I changed my mind and decide to use a rubber stamp and stamp a pattern of lines

I start by some negative painting around the leaves using gouache.

I start by some negative painting around the leaves using gouache.

I am a Blick Art Materials affiliate and I receive a small compensation for sales. That does not effect in any way the cost of the purchaser’s order but it helps me keeping the content of this blog free.

Holbein Acryla Gouache, 152 Chinese White, 20 ml

Acryla Designer Gouache is a fast-drying, opaque acrylic based watercolor paint. It’s water soluble while wet, and water-resistant, matte and opaque, even over dark surfaces. Great for grounds and layering.

Painting around the leaves

Painting around the leaves.

I am adding a layer of white gouache on top of the blue.

I am adding a layer of white gouache on top of the blue.

I paint over the leaves with white gouache, the orange will still show at the edges.

I paint over the leaves with white gouache, the orange will still show at the edges.

The lower part of the painting represents the creek so I paint symbols of water and rocks with acrylic.

The lower part of the painting represents the creek so I paint symbols of water and rocks with acrylic.

I also draw symbols of clouds in the sky.

I also draw symbols of clouds in the sky.

Mosquito Creek mixed media on panel

Mosquito Creek mixed media on panel

Original sold, prints available here

4/5 - (2 votes)

Comments (13)

  1. triplespiral88400700

    hi Sandrine, I am curious about why you drew out the grid in the first photo, to begin the painting? And, I hope this is ok- there are so many amazing techniques mixed together here I am going to try for a copy- that always feels weird to me, I know that the masters did it, and I stubbornly want to always do my own thing, but there is a lot to learn here….including the composition. thanks so much for the inspiration!!!

    1. I drew the grid because I wanted to be exact in the placement of the trees. Looking at t now it was probably not necessary to use such a small grid for a simple drawing like this 🙂

  2. edreid49573300

    Thank you for your advice Sandrine. I feel much more free already!

  3. edreid49573300

    I had been told when once submitting a collage that it should be balanced and mirrored from all four directions. Is this usual? Whilst your works are beautifully composed I do not see that technique. Am a little confused!

    1. I don’t think that a composition should be mirrored in 4 directions , that would be very limiting. It needs to be balanced but not necessarily mirrored.

  4. […] Mosquito Creek mixed media on panel, step by step painting tutorial […]

  5. […] Mosquito Creek mixed media on panel, step by step painting tutorial […]

  6. I absolutely love your creative ideas and the detail you work in. Also that you use so many medias to create absolutely stunning art…and you share your methods. The mark of a true artist, thank you so much for your instructions and explanations.

    1. Thanks Chris !!

  7. […] Mosquito Creek mixed media on panel, step by step painting tutorial […]

  8. […] Step by step mixed media painting tutorial with acrylic, ink, gouache and pastels : Mosquito Creek Like the blog ? […]

  9. ellen

    Love your works!

    1. Thanks Ellen!

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