Things You'll Need:
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Step 1
Choose 10 to 12 paint chip samples. Some samples are small squares of just one color, while others are larger and have three to four different shades of one color. You probably won’t use all your paint chip samples. But you want to have a selection to choose from so you can coordinate with the fabric you want to use in your artwork.
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Step 2
Purchase a half-yard of fabric or use scrap fabric you may have on hand. Select which paint chip samples you feel will complement the fabric. For this tutorial, the fabric has diamond and chevron shapes that work well with the square paint chip samples. The samples have similar colors to those found in the fabric.
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Step 3
Gather your materials. You will need a piece of foam board or a canvas. In this tutorial, a 16-by-20-inch piece of foam board was used. Select acrylic paints that coordinate with your fabric and paint chip samples. You also need paintbrushes and a paper or plastic plate for your paints, a piece of fine grit sandpaper and a glue gun or other adhesive.
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Step 4
Run the sandpaper over the surface of the foam board to prepare the surface for paint. Wipe away any dust. If you use a canvas, you do not need to use the sandpaper. Paint a background on the foam board. For this tutorial, a dark green was used on the bottom third, a pale brown in the middle and a medium blue for the top. Let dry for several minutes.
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Step 5
In the meantime, cut the patterns or pieces you intend to use from your fabric. Once the paint is dry, place the fabric and paint chips on your painted board. Do not glue down or apply adhesive yet. You want to be able to move the materials around until you are satisfied with the results.You should arrange the materials so they relate to each other through color, pattern and texture. This will create a cohesive piece.
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Step 6
Once you’re happy with the way your artwork looks, glue down the pieces. A glue gun works well, as do spray adhesives. If you choose the latter, be sure to do so in a well-ventilated space.
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Step 7
Embellish your artwork using paint. In this tutorial, a small round brush created clouds at the top. Part of one cloud is painted onto one of the paint chips. For the bottom of the board, a larger brush was dipped in the brown paint and blended in to create a sense of depth.
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Step 8
From another paint chip, the words Dream Catcher were cut out and glued near the top to the right. This is the title of the artwork.
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Step 9
The final result demonstrates how you can use paint chip samples as a layer in your mixed-media painting. Paint chips can create texture, add dimension or help shape the piece.
