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, 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:

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 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 magazine torn pieces

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

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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.

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.

Then I add some diluted white ink for the trees bark

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 draw the leaves with pastels.

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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 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 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

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.

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.

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.

Mosquito Creek mixed media on panel

Original sold, prints available here