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White Rock, step by step mixed media painting tutorial

White Rock, step by step mixed media painting tutorial on ARTiful painting demos by Sandrine Pelissier
Painting technique / Step by step demonstrations

White Rock, step by step mixed media painting tutorial

This is the second painting I made for the exhibition “exquisite landscape” that took place at the Cityscape Art Gallery in North Vancouver. This one was to be a beach and shore painting and I had some lines that were to be part of the composition.

Here are the steps I took:

I did apply gesso on my board before starting to paint.

I did apply gesso on my board before starting to paint.

I started with a simple composition for the shore and applied a few layers of acrylic.

I started with a simple composition for the shore and applied a few layers of acrylic.

Adding layers of acrylics mixed with gel medium, and then scrubbing the surface with a sponge.

Adding layers of acrylics mixed with gel medium, and then scrubbing the surface with a sponge.

I then paint a layer of white acrylic mixed with medium on the sky and sea area.

I then paint a layer of white acrylic mixed with medium on the sky and sea area.

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.

 

Amsterdam Expert Series Acrylic Sets

The well-balanced sets are chosen from Amsterdam’s full range of 70 genuine artists’ colors, formulated with high concentrations of authentic, non-fading pigments. These heavy body paints are exceptionally durable and flexible due to their 100% acrylic resin formulation. – Expert Series Set of 12

I sand lightly the layers of acrylic to give them an aged look.

I sand lightly the layers of acrylic to give them an aged look.

I then want to try a few different colors and compositions with pastels. If I try something I don't like I can always wash it up and start again.

I then want to try a few different colors and compositions with pastels. If I try something I don’t like I can always wash it up and start again.

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 slightly change the composition, having the sea as an horizontal stripe and mountains in the horizon.

I slightly change the composition, having the sea as an horizontal stripe and mountains in the horizon.

I then start to draw a few people with charcoal using reference pictures I took at the beach.

I then start to draw a few people with charcoal using reference pictures I took at the beach.

I draw a row of people along the shore, I then fix the charcoal with Krylon workable fixative.

I draw a row of people along the shore, I then fix the charcoal with Krylon workable fixative.

I paint a layer of gouache diluted in water , it makes very interesting textures on top of the acrylic

I paint a layer of gouache diluted in water , it makes very interesting textures on top of the acrylic

I spray a bit of alcohol on the wet layer of gouache.

I spray a bit of alcohol on the wet layer of 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.

I am painting an orange layer at the bottom of the painting and a partial stripe of blue on the sea, I did tape the contours to make it easier.

I am painting an orange layer at the bottom of the painting and a partial stripe of blue on the sea, I did tape the contours to make it easier.

I am scrubbing the stripes I just painted to make them blend better with the rest of the painting. I then start stamping the mountains area with a flower shapes stamp.

I am scrubbing the stripes I just painted to make them blend better with the rest of the painting. I then start stamping the mountains area with a flower shapes stamp.

The mountain area has all been stamped with a flower stamp at the lower part and a tree stamp after that.

The mountain area has all been stamped with a flower stamp at the lower part and a tree stamp after that.

I paint inside the stamps patterns with a mix of white acrylic and medium.

I paint the sky and  inside the stamps patterns with a mix of white acrylic and medium.

Here is a close-up of the flowers and trees.

Here is a close-up of the flowers and trees.

I the mix a bit of azur blue acrylic with medium

I the mix a bit of azur blue acrylic with medium

I am accentuating the blue on the sea area.

I am accentuating the blue on the sea area.

I draw symbols for the clouds with pastels and am then painting the inside with white acrylic and medium, around the pastel lines.

I draw symbols for the clouds with pastels and am then painting the inside with white acrylic and medium, around the pastel lines.

Then I wash away my pastels marks leaving only the white clouds shape.

Then I wash away my pastels marks leaving only the white clouds shape.

Life's a beach, mixed media on board, 30 x 48 inches

The finished painting : White Rock, mixed media on board, 30 x 48 inches

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Comments (12)

  1. […] White Rock, mixed media on board […]

  2. […] White Rock, mixed media on board […]

  3. Oksana Tepp

    Sandrine, thank you for the instructions. When you say that you paint on a board, do you mead an actual board(what kind of tree) , or a plywood? The same question I had looking at watercolors on paper laminated to the board(or plywood?).Thanks

    1. Hello Oskana, for this specific painting I had the panel made to measure ( I think from door skin) because I needed that specific size.
      For the other paintings with standard sizes I bought panels from Opus Art supplies :
      https://store.opusartsupplies.com/sagro/storefront/store.php?mode=browsecategory&category=3343
      Gotrick craddled panels
      “The stretchers are made from basswood, and the painting surface is composed from Russian birch. They are available in ¾” and 1½” profiles. Gotrick Cradled Panels are made in Quebec, Canada.”

  4. Hanneke

    Hi Sandrine, this is wonderful, I love the atmosphere and the sort of misty people on the shore. It inspires me to do more with acrylics. Looking out for your next demonstration.

    1. Thanks Hanneke for your comment!, I am happy that this post inspired you to try those techniques with acrylics.

  5. hi Sandrine,,

    what a lovely painting, love the beach theme 🙂
    Iam a newbie, I have some questions:
    how to wash the pastel inside the clouds?
    what does the “medium” mean? is it the board? or another paint/oil?

    thank you 🙂

    1. Hello Rucciuno,
      Thanks, I am glad you liked the painting.
      To wash the pastel in the clouds I just took a sponge with water and rinsed the pastel off when the white paint on the clouds was dry.
      Medium is something you add to acrylic paint to make it more transparent.

  6. Thanks for sharing these processes Sandrine! I have been inspired by your sanding and rubbing back in my own work now. I think your use of the medium is something for me to try next! I love your textures and the whole effect is quite whimsical.

    1. Thanks Philippa! Yes, I find that sending and scrubbing are giving interesting aged look to the paintings. it makes me very happy that the blog inspired you to try out those techniques 🙂

  7. Love those clouds, Sandrine! Lovely painting.

    1. Thanks Berene 🙂

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