A Step by step mixed media painting tutorial : Rainforest Tree
August 24, 2010 2025-02-05 15:57A Step by step mixed media painting tutorial : Rainforest Tree

A Step by step mixed media painting tutorial : Rainforest Tree
A small 12×12 inches mixed media painting on cradled panel. I used acrylics, oil pastels, inks, gesso, gel medium, alcohol with lots of layering and scrubbing off. Here are some pictures of the process :

I start by applying black gesso on a cradled panel.

Then, I am collaging decorative papers with gel medium.
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.
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Liquitex Acrylic MediumsGel mediums are ideal for extending a heavy body paint, to create impasto, relief, or sculptural effects. – Gel Medium, Gloss |

Then, I am Painting with acrylic over the paper collage

To add some texture, I then am collaging tissue paper with gel medium

I am drawing the tree with a white pencil, so I can see the outlines through the paint and collages.

The next step is negative painting with acrylics around the tree

The next step is more layers of ink and acrylics.
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.
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Liquitex Professional Acrylic InkLiquitex Professional Acrylic Inks are extremely fluid colors that contain super-fine pigments suspended in a state-of-the-art emulsion. Quick-drying, permanent, water-resistant, and non-clogging, they’re ideal for a variety of techniques. – Essential Colors, Set of 6 |

Then I am using some oil pastels for contouring

I am painting more layers of acrylic, that I am spraying with alcohol to add a bot of texture. I am also scrubbing off some paint in a few areas with a sponge.

Comments (2)
Berene
This was a very interesting article. So many layers. Your process really adds a richness to the final piece. Great job!
Sandrine Pelissier
Thanks Berene 🙂