CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCED!

My gratitude to those who entered last week's contest...please stay with me even if you didn't get lucky this time!
The random drawing was done by my impartial, totally uncaring husband. Okay, he cares about me, but not my blog.
He chose Meera's name from the hat, so MEERA RAO, please send me your mailing address privately. You won the art book prize!

ART BOOK GIVEAWAY - PAINTING WITH MIXED MEDIA

This contest is now closed. See the following post for the name of the winner.

Corrugated cardboard, acrylics, inks, papers, stone, fibers.

The mixed media piece shown above appears in the freebie prize, a book in new, never used, excellent condition.

Just leave a comment with this post to be considered!

Randomly selected winner will be announced in the next post. Winner must privately provide me with his or her USPS address. Thanks!





ART BOOK GIVEAWAY - PAINTING WITH MIXED MEDIA

PLEASE DO ENTER THIS CONTEST, FOR FOLLOWERS OF THIS BLOG!

Corrugated cardboard, acrylics, inks, papers, stone, fibers.

The mixed media piece shown above appears in the freebie prize, a book in new, never used, excellent condition.

Just leave a comment with this post to be considered!

Randomly selected winner will be announced in the next post. Winner must privately provide me with his or her USPS address. Thanks!





Two Examples of Fabric Resist

Fabric Fun Made Easy!

We've said it before, working the resist technique can be COOL, whether on canvas, paper, or other fabric. See links below to MORE posts with MORE resist methods!


Blue school glue on washed cotton fabric.

Let the resist material dry before washing colors
over the design. Then wash the school glue out after the permanent paint or ink dries!


Thin tar gel

If you want to try this
with kids, fluid acrylic
medium can be used
(with paint shirts on!).
Intense, vivid watercolors
are a good substitute for
permanent colors.

I luuuuve this tempera resist project, below: http://mixedmediamanic.blogspot.com/2015/08/white-tempera-resist.html
and this one, too! http://mixedmediamanic.blogspot.com/2015/04/more-techniques-with-citrasolv.html

Our recent contest was won by jusaweecatnap, who should kindly and privately email me with her postal address in order to claim her prizes!

MY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO VISIT THIS SITE! HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

HOLIDAY CONTEST - GIVEAWAY - FREEBIE

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
A talented follower has won the ornaments pictured below.


The house at left is collaged on both sides! Shiny gold on the metal one.

Use the comments section under this post to write a brief paragraph about what the holiday season means to you. Do use heartfelt, original, one-of-a-kind thoughts.
Sincere thanks to my wonderful followers.

Happy (U. S.) Thanksgiving! Watch for a new Contest .

Giveaway Coming Soon!

Follow this blog for a chance to win.

And have a very merry Christmas, too.



GIVEAWAY - BRAND NEW ART BOOK!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
It's easy to win this freebie!

The rules for the contest are simple. Just follow this blog and leave a comment below this post. A winner will be selected randomly and announced
at my very next post. Vivian Miller!

(Winner must then privately email me with his
 or her US postal address.)

(This book has only been used once for review purposes!)

Excellent with acrylics mixing, too.

 

THANKS FOR FOLLOWING THIS ART BLOG!

NOT MIXED MEDIA WITH TRANSPARENCIES AGAIN!?!

(My apologies in advance for those of you who prefer your mixed media without the addition of transparencies.)

I find copies so versatile and fun that I've experimented endlessly with them in many guises. I've also posted about them in this space numerous times, so please bear with me if you've been a long-time follower.

• Here's a previous post about scratching and altering a transparency.
• How about this collage with old sheet music?
• Or scribbling in the clear spaces of a transparency!

NOW FOR TODAY'S PROJECTS!

I printed this out on my home computer.

I used an original

leaf photo of my own,

altering it in Photoshop
for a very colorful
background.
TIP: Note the

white spaces,
necessary for this

activity. Also remember
that your own
background cannot be
too terribly dark, or
you will lose contrast.

Next, I altered a

photo portrait to
pure black (and
clear), very
graphic (no gray).
I printed that 

Try other backing sheets too! Sooo fun.

onto transparency

film, and lay it

over the colorful

background image.

Below, another idea!
I merely used soft
pastels to create a
gradient effect on good paper the same
size as my transparency (of a person on a dock, framed by foliage). Then I just sandwiched them together. So simple and yet, I think, quite striking.

  

Some of you might prefer more color in the sky.

PRIZE AWARDED TO A FOLLOWER! For those who participated in last week's contest,
the winner is Julie Mortillaro. Congrats to her, and
my sincere thanks to the others. Julie, please
privately send me your usps mailing address.

FOLLOWERS OF THIS ART BLOG CAN WIN! CONTEST!

CONTEST NOW CLOSED.
The prize is an art book packed with

techniques & methods for you to try!

  
Packed with full-color photos!

(Winner was Julie Mortillaro.)



AN EASY PROJECT (& more) FOR ANYONE!

HERE'S A QUICK, SIMPLE TECHNIQUE FOR MULTIPLE, DUPLICATE IMAGES OF DIFFERENT SIZES.

• Print out the duplicates on a copier that creates different sizes , or use an image-editing program to make the sizes smaller or larger. 
• ANOTHER IDEA: Make every other size lighter or darker, or positive vs. negative! You could even go color vs. grayscale for every other one!
• Trim away the white edges of each image if desired, and arrange them on a sturdy background before you adhere them.
• MORE IDEAS: Instead of symmetrical design and formal balance like my example below, try asymmetrical, informal balance in any number of ways. Here are a couple of former posts with more finished examples: digital collage! and another.

Wire Chicken Basket with Eggs



A FRIGHTFULLY FUN PROJECT

 

"Boos and ghouls" (boys and girls) of all ages enjoy this Halloween activity for kids,

Frightfully clever!

...it's so easy it's scary. Create "bootiful" kaleidoscopes!
Note: If you would rather engage in a less, um, spirited project, use autumnal motifs such as gourds, apples, pears, wheat, and (of course) fall leaves. 


No trick...it's a treat!



Add this to your bag of tricks!

First, gather assorted colors of bright art paper or construction paper in orange, brown, tan, yellow, red, gold, and yes, even gray, white and black.

1. Cut the paper into 6" and 9" squares, enough for at least three or four pieces in different colors for each kaleidoscope.
2. Fold a 6" piece twice, down to a 3" square. Draw a shape on it so big that it "touches" the sides of the square. (The "hinges" on the folded sides will hold the shape together later.) Bones, spiders, skulls, witches, ghosts, black cats, bats, and jack-o-lanterns are motifs that might not be allowed in some homes or schools, but other little goblins usually love them. 
3. Scissors will do for the young artist to cut around the shape, leaving the folds uncut. If the artists are mature enough to handle craft knives properly, they should also cut openings within the shapes to add interest: eyes, mouths, and other open-work. Because the square stays folded, the cutter must press hard to go through all the layers. Use an old magazine or a thick pad of newspapers underneath, of course.
4. When the cut paper is opened up, it looks very different! Now do two or three others, in other colors and shapes. Then try them overlapped behind or in front of the first.
5. Finally, as a background, use a solid (uncut) 9" square or larger of yet another color. Plan first and glue later, rotating the pieces and trying different layer combos to achieve the most pleasing arrangement.

FREEBIES ! CONTEST FOR FOLLOWERS! BLOG CANDY!

NOTE: CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
This giveaway features not one, not two, but THREE prizes, one each for three lucky winners.

All you have to do is follow this blog
and leave a brief comment at this post.

Win this freebie!

 

First up, a Powerpoint presentation on disk called "Using Acrylic Paint."  (The artist is extremely talented.)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another prize, another Powerpoint on disk,

"Drawing with Pencil."   It's all about

creating realistic drawings.

     

Or snag this prize!

Finally, a CD-ROM with 8 projectable art posters,

perfect for the visual art educator!

It includes the principles of design and is a great learning tool.

Project or print out these principles.

These are brand new, used only once for review purposes. The names of the three winners will be announced at the next post for Mixed Media Manic. If you participate, be aware that I will need your USPS mailing address (privately). In-country only, please. 

THANKS!

 







CONTEST WINNER (S) ANNOUNCED

The first name chosen in a fair and random drawing (for the 2015 calendar!) was Jusaweecatnap. If she (or he, I suppose I should say, to be politically correct) will kindly contact me personally with a mailing address, I will get the prize out asap. I'm on Facebook and if one is a friend they can message me.

Besides the full-size calendar, I also had a folding one for a desktop, so I thought, What the heck, let's do another drawing! The name selected the second time was Robin Larido! Robin, I will need your mailing address too. Thanks!

 

My sincere hopes go to the others who participated that

you'll stick with me and try again next time, truly! 

 

    

Thanks!                    



GIVEAWAY BOOTY YOU CAN USE!

Note: This contest is now closed.

Simply leave a comment below this post for a chance to win a brand new 2015 picture calendar.

(If you try to be as prepared as I do, you'll be glad to have it this early.  Or give it as a gift at the holidays!)

I require the winner's contact info to mail the prize!

Watch this blog for the name of the winner at the next post. 





Thanks for following this blog!

WINNER ANNOUNCED, AND BLASTS FROM THE PAST!

The name chosen from the hat (actually a bowl!) to win the free art book, Creating Decorative Paper, was Geri deGruy! My thanks to the others who participated, and I encourage them to please try again...I'm planning another giveaway even as we speak.

One section of that book concerns resists of many types. I've discussed them here before, and love to incorporate them into my mixed media work. Clear tar gel on absorbent paper can produce fantastic results if you let it dry, then wash vivid color over the area.

Can you see the fish shapes?

 Here's the original post.










Wax resist is another simple, easy method: In the butterfly example below, I used waxed paper. The tutorial is here.


I adore these colors!



I used a fabric resist material here.
See the original post!

             


 

BLOG CANDY! FREEBIE! GIVEAWAY!

This contest is my way of thanking those

dear hearts who follow this blog.

 

It's easy to qualify for chance to win a copy of my book, Creating Decorative Paper. It's all about transforming ordinary papers into colorful, creative, and unique art materials!

Hundreds of instructions for great art projects!



 

SIMPLE CONTEST RULES:

• Be a follower of Mixed Media Manic (and I'll love you forever)
• Leave a comment (just one will do it!) below this post. If you win, I must have a way of contacting you!
• A name will be selected in a fair and random drawing, and the winner will be notified in my next post right here at Mixed Media Manic.     

Thanks for your loyalty, and best wishes.
Paula
                       

CONTEST FOR MY FOLLOWERS! WIN FREE EPHEMERA TO USE IN COLLAGE - MIXED MEDIA

(Sorry, we now have our two winners.)

I WILL BE SENDING PACKETS OF INTERESTING IMAGES, TEXT, SHEET MUSIC, ETC. TO NOT ONE BUT TWO OF YOU WHO FOLLOW THIS BLOG!

 

SIMPLY BE THE FIRST TWO TO LEAVE COMMENTS BELOW THIS POST SAYING YOU WANT THESE PAPERS. SOME ARE AGED AND YELLOWED, OTHERS ARE PICTURES I'VE SAVED OR OTHER, MISCELLANEOUS "STUFF" YOU MIGHT LIKE.

 

(I've just collected so much good material that
I don't have any more room.)

 

All I ask is that you send me (privately is fine) your mailing address. Anyone who is too late for this giveaway, please stay tuned for other freebies later on, and thanks so much for following this blog. I appreciate it.

It's my belief that sorting through a big pile of ephemera is a great way to gain some ideas!

 



WINNER ANNOUNCED & TRANSPARENCIES AGAIN!

Last week's contest for the art book giveaway was won by Becky!
My thanks to those whose names were not selected. Becky, please contact me via email or Facebook to give me your mailing address for your prize!

Painting on the Back of Transparencies

Select a black and white photograph with high contrast, since the white areas will be clear on the transparency. (Here I used one of my own photos.) The clear areas are where the paint will show. If you inkjet-print the transparency, let dry and spray lightly with fixative so the ink won't smear. If your transparency was laser-printed, no worries about smearing!

 

I use acrylics on the back, rough side (where the ink is)
for two reasons: I can paint without being overly cautious,
even into the black areas a bit, and my "goofs" won't show
when I flip it over. Too, the other side is smooth and
glossy,which enhances the work.



The back side looks messy!

Flip it over when the acrylics are dry.

STUCK FOR AN IDEA FOR A COMPOSITION? TRY AN ALPHASKETCH!

I used charcoal directly on canvas.

You wouldn't even need to make the letters appear dimensional, as above, if you chose to simply break up the space with a variety of shapes and sizes. Use some overlapping or, at the least, make some edges touch.
Of course you can erase some lines and add others to improve the composition as you wish. Then paint and/or collage to your heart's desire. (Wish I had the finished work to show you, but alas.)

Now for the giveaway! This freebie will go to one of my followers, selected in a fair and random drawing. Simply leave a comment below this post, with the understanding that I must be able to reach you if you win the art book shown.
When the contest is over, I will announce it here and the winner's name will appear in my next post. Good luck!


Brand new copy!

Multi-Media Experiment & a Giveaway

A MIXED-MEDIA PAINTING & PHOTOGRAPHY

As a former 60s hippie at heart, I always adored the light shows. With some fluorescent spray paints and a squeeze bottle of glow-in-the-dark paint on hand, I just had to try my hand at a mixed-media artwork requiring my black-light bulb for display purposes.

First, I sprayed a large piece of heavy cardboard with Krylon neon paints in several fluorescent colors. I encouraged some drips, too!

The pale-blue squiggles are glow-in-the-dark paint!

I had a roll of self-adhesive aluminum tape. It did have printing on it, but that turned out to be okay! Below is a shot of the tape and some shapes I cut from it.

The flat shapes didn't adhere all that well, even though I allowed the background paint to dry first. But that, too, was ok!
Finally, at night in a dark room, with my blacklight nearby and on, I photographed the piece.

Hate it? Love it? Let me know!

Giveaway for my followers! This contest is now closed.
Are you a glitzy, sparkly person who would love to use these 5 DecoArt products (below)? Then be a follower of Mixed Media Manic and leave a comment below. From those, a winner will be chosen randomly when the contest closes.