Mixed-Media Mondays "MMM"

So you're thinking about or planning to join us. Fantastic! You may be wondering... What do I need? What should I bring? Supplies will be everything but the kitchen sink! :) It's the nature of mixed-media art, and we're exploring tools, techniques, and materials during our studio time at the Central Brevard Art Association.

I recommend starting with what you have before investing in new materials/supplies. One of the best parts of mixed-media art-making is the simplicity (and variety) of tools that provide the elements we create— marks, shapes, textures, and layers.

To that end, review the projects and suggested supplies/materials as they're added, bring what you already have, and try out new, fun things I'll have on hand.

Use what you have

Discover what you like

In addition to instruction, I'll have consumable supplies/materials on hand that you may not have yet. A small fee will help cover the cost of those items if you'd like to try them out to discover what you like most.

Purchase what you need

Some items are recommended if you'll be attending classes regularly (or learning the basics and diving into mixed-media on your own).

• An art journal/notebook with paper that will withstand wet and dry media. My go-to art practice pads are Strathmore 400 Mixed Media, Canson Watercolor, and hand-bound journals/notebooks with various (prepped) papers.

• A glue stick and/or matte gel medium. I prefer Uhu glue sticks and Liquitex matte gel medium. *See the next item for applying.

• Inexpensive brushes you don't mind destroying. My go-to (cheap) brushes include chip brushes of various sizes, student-quality brushes on sale, and sponge brushes. You'll use these to apply adhesives and mediums, and to create texture.

• Project Brushes for acrylics and watercolors. Student-quality brushes are perfect for practice. But as an artist, you probably have artist-quality brushes in your studio. Feel free to bring them. Various shapes and sizes will help you achieve the results you're after as you work on projects.

• Various papers in sizes you want to work with. I recommend watercolor paper, mixed-media paper in black and white, *ephemeral papers such as repurposed book pages, discarded menus + flyers, envelopes, outdated calendars, repurposed book pages, and discarded printer paper. *I'll be showing ways to prep non-art papers.

Tools

I'll have these non-consumable tools on hand for your use each week:

• rulers

• scissors

• water buckets

What do I need for the session I'm attending?

When you register for a class, I'll send you the specific list for that session. That way, I know to expect you and you can ask any questions you may have before the class. I'm always happy to answer what I can!

In my mixed-media toolbox

I'm often asked what I use in my mixed-media art practice. The easier question to answer is what I don't use! I experiment with most tools, techniques, supplies, and materials. And most I keep in my toolbox. In no particular order, here's what's in my studio right now...

• papers of every size, color, and source— art and non-art

• discarded office supplies— file folders, index cards, time cards, Rolodex cards (and holder), card boxes, outdated calendars, sheet protectors, clear overhead projector sheets (remember those??)

• vintage books

• repurposed cardboard and paper holders

• rulers (wood, plastic, metal) in various sizes

• cutting tools: scissors, die cuts, utility knives, metal rulers, cutting boards & mats (and yet I rough-cut or tear most of my pages!)

• water buckets & jars

• brushes in every size, shape, and quality

• pastels - student and artist quality

• color pencils (water-soluble and not)

• graphite pencils B to H, charcoal (vine, compressed, and pencils - in black, brown, white)

• Stabilo "All" pencils

• China Marker ("grease" pencils)

• paints— acrylic and watercolor, paint markers, fluid, heavy body, hand-mixed, craft/student quality and artist-quality

• various mediums— molding paste, glazing medium, gel medium, extender, gesso in white, black, clear

• fixative, sealants

• inks— India, block printing, screen printing

• adhesives— masking tape, artist tape, washi tape, gel medium, glue sticks

• pens and markers from 0.3 - EXTRA CHUNKY - gel, paint, ballpoint

• stencils, stamps, lino-cut materials and tools

• photography

• discarded magazines, room keys, jar lids (and other circle sizes)

• clips (bull, binder, and paper in various sizes)

• paint chip cards from the big box stores

• cotton swab/Q-tips

• book binding materials

• tweezers, needles, toothpicks, chopsticks

• twigs, leaves, branches, seashells, rocks, sand, rusty metal pieces

• vintage textiles

I know I'm leaving out lots of things, but this gives you an idea of what a mixed-media art studio looks like. We'll be talking about these in class. Feel free to bring your questions. What I don't know, we'll learn together!

Mixed-media Mondays happen during lunchtime. Feel free to bring your lunch, a snack, or beverage.