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Mixing painting techniques
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Message
Posted
Hello,
I have been looking for information regarding "Mixing painting techniques". If googled, it returns thousands of links to articles on Mixing paint. My question is "what are the pitfalls if two or more Techniques are employed".
I principally either.... 1) Dab it on with a sponge or other item, or, 2) put a blob on the canvas and smear it across the surface.
I know that when I, for example, have a 99% finished painting, but then use a paintbrush to add a splash of colour/drama. It looks wrong.
Thank you
Posted
First and foremost, on a personal level, I don’t mix techniques together in a single painting.
Why don’t I?
Because there isn’t any point, I’m looking for continuity throughout a painting, mixing techniques will only confuse the matter.
Of course, if you’re talking about abstract art then I can’t comment, as I’m not a great fan generally… there are exceptions to this.
To sum up: I would never use a sponge (as you suggest) to dab on paint, neither would I smear paint across the surface!
I either use a selection of brushes, or occasionally I’ll adopt the painting knife technique, sometimes combining both brush and knife in the same painting.
Give us some more information about your work, with examples preferably.
That way, other members may be able to offer suggestions.
Posted
Having a painting to look at will enable us to see what your doing , even if it’s a work in progress, it’s a bit difficult to offer advice as well all visualise it differently. I occasionally use a sponge for tree foliage and then very rarely, I’ve never splatter, probably because I’ve not done anything that would benefit from it . Some people douse it very successfully, I agree with both Alan and Tessa no matter what medium you are using to many different techniques can spoil a good painting ,bit like putting to many flavours in your recipe. . Let us see what your doing , then maybe someone will be able to offer advice and a solution .
Posted
It rather depends on what you mean by mixing techniques - for instance, I draw a lot, though don't show many of my drawings (don't know why!) in a mix of charcoal, watercolour, Indian ink, conté crayon, carbon pencil - that's certainly a mix of techniques, or at least of instruments.... brush, pen, fude pen, bits of old stick. Messy but satisfying; throw in a bit of pastel or coloured pencil too.
But when actually painting ... no, not really: if I'm painting in watercolour, I very rarely use anything else; if in pastel - if I'm intending it to be a pastel, rather than a mixed media piece - it'll be just pastel; I don't mix anything with my oil paint; acrylics - I might use a painting knife rather than brushes, but don't usually combine brush work with knife work, because - as Alan explains - one's aiming for at least a degree of harmony, consistency, so I prefer to keep to one medium, one approach, per painting.
There's an artist on our Gallery - and on Facebook and, I think, Instagram - named Chris Hill, who has produced some remarkable work using watercolour, wax crayon, several other media: I'm very taken with his work; take a look at his paintings and see what you think of them, and of his methods, which might also appeal to you.
Posted
Dave, I find that simplifying things is very helpful. You can be put off by doing too much at the same time - which medium, brushes, composition, final effect etc. Why not copy a small portion of an artist’s work, looking very carefully at the colours and brushstrokes etc? Observation is the key. Or paint an everyday object firsthand, in front of you., something that interests you ( could be just a cup and saucer, a tool etc). Painting one object per day, in, say, an hour, is very enjoyable, simple and will build up your confidence and skill. ( By the way, a lot of us on here are long in the tooth and although we may have painted for a number of years we are still learning!)
Ps I’m not really sure if this covers what you mean .
Edited
by Marjorie Firth
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