How to Use Acrylic Paints & Mixed Media on Canvas

Acrylic paintings can be combined with mixed media.

An exciting way to create artwork is by utilizing a combination of traditional and contemporary media. Mixing acrylic paints, three-dimensional objects, drawings and other forms of art onto canvas is called a "mixed media" painting. Mixing media gives contemporary paintings added impact and more visual interest. Acrylic paint is great when mixing media, since it will not dissolve or leave oil spots the way oil paint would. With a combination of paint, glue and virtually anything else the artist wants to add, a mixed media acrylic painting is a way to exercise one's creativity.

Things You'll Need

• Sketchbook
• Pencil
• Canvas
• Eraser
• Acrylic paint
• Slow-drying medium (optional)
• Glue (optional)
• Paint palette
• Paintbrushes
• Palette knife
• Mixed media
• Stencils
• Card stock or mat board
• Spray paint (optional)
• Varnish

Instructions

1. 

   Sketching the overall idea of the piece is important.

   Decide on the theme of the painting. Get an idea of the theme by creating quick sketches that convey the overall idea of the piece. Whether the painting expresses emotion, political views or is simply a decorative piece, it is important to sketch it out beforehand. This will give the artist an idea of where to place mixed media items. Placing items blindly can result in a cluttered piece.

2. Sketch shapes, faces, stripes and other final designs directly onto the canvas with a pencil. Any mistakes can be erased with a gum or rubber eraser. Draw lightly; dark pencil lines can sometimes be visible over more transparent colors.

3. 

   Begin painting.

   Begin filling in the sketch with acrylic paint. Use paintbrushes for a smooth finish. Palette knives can be used for thick, textured applications of paint. Squeeze paint onto the paint palette; then scrape the paint off with the palette knife. Keep in mind that acrylic paint dries very quickly, especially when thinly applied. Slow-drying medium can be mixed with the paint to extend drying time up to 40 percent.

4. 

   Photographs, jewelry, buttons and beads can be mixed media items.

   Attach mixed media items before painting or after the base coat of paint is down. Mixed media items can be attached with hot glue or craft clue directly onto the canvas. However, some artists opt to use the acrylic paint as glue, attaching mixed media once a basic background is down. Thick application of paint is necessary when using acrylic paint as glue, and the canvas must be lying flat to keep items from sliding.

5. Finish the painting by adding brush details and stencils. Add depth and more visual interest to the painting by adding spray paint patterns. Do this by cutting a basic or complex shape from card stock or mat board. Then, hold the card stock or mat board against the canvas and lightly spray with rapid strokes. Create spray paint patterns all around the canvas with this technique.

6. Let the painting dry flat. Varnish can be applied by brushing on or in spray form once the paint has dried. Let the varnish dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Mixed media such as tiny chunks of glass, sand, rocks and fibers can be mixed directly into the paint to add texture to the piece.

References

• Liquitex: Slow-Dri Blending Medium

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish