10 Ways to Create Acrylic Paint Skins as Collage Papers

In this episode of TUNE IN TUES on Acrylic Paint Skins, mixed media artist Catherine Rains demonstrates various techniques for creating acrylic paint skins for collage papers. The speaker discusses the importance of immediately storing paint skins in a file folder to prevent damage. She explore different methods of creating paint skins using gel medium and mixing it with acrylic paint. The speaker also showcases how heavy body paint can be used to create unique designs and suggests using leftover paint and designs as collage fodder. Catherine demonstrates techniques such as swirling paint, creating circles, and embedding objects in the paint skin. Throughout the video, the necessary supplies and techniques for making paint skins are discussed, providing viewers with a comprehensive guide to incorporating paint skins in their artwork.
Supplies to make acrylic paint skins:
Golden interference Green and Blue amzn.to/3thktrs
Plastic file folders amzn.to/46fAvRm
Palette knife amzn.to/3tmh8Yg
Acrylic paint, Nova novacolorpaint.com/and Golden amzn.to/46ey4yd
Golden Gel Medium, gloss and matte amzn.to/3PGhhwZ
Golden Pearl Mica flake amzn.to/3PEmNjT
Golden Gold Mica Flake amzn.to/3F6LX5P
Silicone Putty amzn.to/3LOOAwH
Golden Clear Tar Gel amzn.to/46fsgop
💥 FREE 5-Day Collage Kickstart Workshop www.collageworkshops.com/start
Please SUBSCRIBE to this channel 🙏🏻.
And also . . .
🟣 Sign Up for my Newsletter!: www.collageworkshops.com/list
🟠 Follow me on Instagram! / catrains.artist
Minute by minute overview!
02:10 Using thin Nova Paint, spread acrylic on folder.
05:19 Matte side easier to keep flat.
06:30 Store quickly in a file folder to prevent damage.
11:13 Create designs with heavy body paint.
14:34 Mesh strengthens and embeds in the paint.
17:19 Hard gel or mat adds finishing touch.
21:41 Apply gel, dry, peel for transparent dots.
25:06 Demonstrated swirls using paint and tissue.
26:29 Mat with pull-up sides; stable, not folding.
31:14 Using excess paint for collage fodder.
34:06 Learn to make acrylic paint skins for collage.
36:56 Check out my free five-day collage workshops and supplies.

[@amivbg]

I loved the tutorial and i absolutely adored the blooper part at the end🤣🥰🤣

[@catrains.artist]

Thank you!! 😁

[@lobstermash]

I found silicone place mats for pets (a bit like baking sheets but much cheaper) at the hardware store. They are fantastic for making paint skins because nothing sticks to silicone rubber. The paint just peels off.

[@catrains.artist]

What an absolutely fabulous idea!!!!

[@BarbaraEMarshallCampbell]

I'm trying this out on a chip bag I wiped off. I lay it out for painting and gluing on to protect my surfaces. I also use place mats with a slick glossy side so I plan to try these techniques on both before buying anything since I'm all about recycling.

[@Truthfully7]

Another EXCELLENT VIDEO. THANK YOU 💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐 🤣🤣🤣the end 🤣🤣🤣💐💐💐💐

[@catrains.artist]

Thank you! I am so happy you're here!

[@BarbaraEMarshallCampbell]

I had so much fun playing around with the techniques in your video that I totally lost track of time and felt so satisfied. Months since I felt such joy in the paints. Thanks for sharing your expertise and experiments and keeping it so real.

[@catrains.artist]

Wonderful! I am so glad you enjoyed this so much, thank you for watching!

[@melaniehenson8628]

Thank you for being part of our lives! Your videos are fabulous...thanks for sharing all your knowledge. So inspirational.

[@catrains.artist]

What a loving thing to say. Thanks so much Melanie!

[@patty6375]

I use the (pack of two) Dollar Tree kitchen cutting mats to clean my paint brushes before totally washing out the acrylic paint. I hate wasting paint. Lol. Just brush back and forth quickly and keep on painting. Before you know it you have a beautiful palate of mixed colored paint skins made easily. And these variations make gorgeous florals. Hope that made sense.😊

[@catrains.artist]

That is a brilliant idea! What a wonderful way to get easy paint skins!

[@ajarofpotential]

Such fun, I can’t wait to play with these ideas. Your videos are fabulous and I've been very much enjoying so many of them. It’s rather like spending time with that friend who is simply the best company. The out takes at the end are adorable too. Out here in the real world it's so nice to see real and genuine people online. Love your channel ❤

[@catrains.artist]

You are so very dear. Thank you for the very kind words. I consider us friends in spirit!

[@flaekjaflintstone5656]

i'm so happy that i stumble upon your channel! i will share it with my mom. she is also an artist and always on the search for new techniques. 🤩👍

[@catrains.artist]

Awww thanks so much for the kind words, and for sharing my channel with your Mom. I'm honored!

[@serenityjewel]

This reminds me of gelli plate printing. If you don't get all of the paint up on your first pull/print, you pull the shadow print or remaining paint by applying a fresh coat of paint on top of the dried paint. When you pull the print, both layers of paint come up. I would have NEVER thought to use gel medium to pull up a transparent layer, no sheet needed. 🤯 Genius.

[@catrains.artist]

Yes this is similar to gelli printing. Thanks so much for letting me know that this was helpful.

[@verfpapierschaar]

this video deserves so much more attention. what a lovely demo!

[@catrains.artist]

Awww thank you for the kind feedback. I deeply appreciate you.

[@j.477]

i subscribed bcause of the heartwarming last 5 minutes. you seems like a sympathetic person. i also like you even more because you didnt delete it after you appearently discovered, you had accidently left them in. 😊 ❤

[@catrains.artist]

You are so very kind. Thank you for choosing to be part of my channel even after seeing my blooper! I'm honored that you are here🙏🏻

[@moondoll787]

You had me at the teaching part,but the blooper section sealed the deal. You are a wonderful teacher, and you tickled me pink. Thank you.❤

[@catrains.artist]

Oh thank you! You are so kind 😊❤️

[@veronicastewart1112]

I love paint skins, and I'm going to go make a bunch! Thank you! BTW if you don't have palette paper, you can make skins on cheap waxed paper plates (the thin ones) but they must be waxed.

[@catrains.artist]

Glad that you are now going to make a ton of these! Great idea to use wax paper instead.

[@mjmjacqueline8397]

Catherine your ideas are so amazing! Thanks for sharing!

[@catrains.artist]

Thanks so very much for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed the demo!

[@Lisa_G3]

Wow! This is the first video I watched of yours and I’m hooked so I subscribed. So many wonderful experiments you did! I love it and I’m so inspired! I love art experiments. Thank you for sharing.

[@catrains.artist]

What a loving thing to say Lisa. Thank so much for subscribing, and for the very kind words.

[@sharonrainey5755]

She is awesome!

[@BarbaraEMarshallCampbell]

​@@sharonrainey5755I agree, which is why I'm also subscribing.

[@BB-nz5sk]

You have a very inviting presence! I enjoy your gentle teaching style too!! ❤

[@catrains.artist]

Ahhhh what a kind thing to say. Thanks so very much.

[@salliebinder60]

Great demo..and I also loved the bloopers at the end..😅!!

[@catrains.artist]

I included bloopers?!?!? I didn't mean too. I thought I edited out all the "bad" parts. Ooops.

[@RoseanneVSabol]

This was such a great tutorial and I loved seeing how you carried out all the techniques for acrylic skins. Going to go try some myself this week.Also, I loved the outtakes, too!

[@catrains.artist]

So glad you enjoyed this one, and will be trying it yourself. I need to listen to this one again to hear the "outtakes". You are third person mentioning this and I have not idea what these are !

[@RoseanneVSabol]

@@catrains.artist They were at the very end.👍

[@catrains.artist]

@@RoseanneVSabol After reading your comment, I went back to see what you were referring to. Hilarious that I accidently included this at the end. I almost erased it, but since it made me laugh, I thought it might give someone else a chuckle at my expense! Thanks for get me to take a second look!

[@glittergrandma]

Really love this video. You are such a great teacher. I never had success and never came close to the magical translucent marks, which I love, but never really felt like I was friends with the process. Many thanks for demystifying the process. 🎉❤

[@catrains.artist]

Its takes a bit of practice, but the results are really cool. Hope you have fun creating these!

[@katewendt8938]

Great ideas in this video, thank you.

[@catrains.artist]

So glad that you found it useful!

[@lindasteger7207]

Thank you so much for sharing!!

[@catrains.artist]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@terizaccaro9838]

Catherine if you rub or brush a small amt of baby powder on the sticky side, it takes away all the sticky.

[@catrains.artist]

What a fabulous idea. Thanks so much for suggesting this.

[@rabbitgregory9289]

Corn starch would probably work as well. That said, I wonder if the corn starch or baby powder would prevent the skin from being glued to the collage. Have you experimented with this?

[@BarbaraEMarshallCampbell]

Corn starch might adhere better than baby powder residue but I'd wipe it off with a damp rag of some sort.

[@mos8756]

Thank you, Catherine. Great ideas!!

[@catrains.artist]

So glad you like the demo!

[@peggylee5021]

These are amazing - can't wait to try them!

[@catrains.artist]

I can't wait to see what you create with them!

[@EmilyBlitzer]

I am always amazed by all the ways you discover interesting ways in which to create cool papers for collage.. So inspiring...

[@catrains.artist]

To be honest, I'm usually surprised at what I discover as well. I just keep following the "what ifs" in my head, and I end up with an art demo! Glad you like my wild experimentation.

[@dianelodico2166]

I love this! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@catrains.artist]

Thank YOU for watching!

[@Pixeltrash2]

I love your out takes. This is a great idea. Trying some now.

[@catrains.artist]

Well the outtakes were a mistake, but then I got so many loving comments about them, that I couldn't edit them out! Love that you are trying these techniques.

[@glittergrandma]

Thank you so much. Every time I made, or tried to make skins, never was successful. Thanks for the great tips. Wondering if freezer paper would work to paint the skins. Something to try.

[@catrains.artist]

I was never successful with skins either until I made a concerted effort to research how to do them. Since this demo I've found a way I like even better which will probably become a future demo! Yes freezer paper would work.

[@carrieg.4995]

Love it❣️. Skins are so much fun.

[@catrains.artist]

Oh I agree! So glad you liked the demo!

[@ckd2114]

Mind blown! thank you for a great tutorial.

[@catrains.artist]

Awww thank you! Love that I was part of blowing your mind!!!

[@fibergoddess1]

JUST WOW! So excited to try this. TFS 👏🏽💜

[@catrains.artist]

Hope you have a blast giving it a try. Be patient as the first few might not be perfect or how you want them. Take a tiny bit of experimenting to get the results you like, at least that was true for me.

[@DCarey]

So cool!

[@catrains.artist]

Thank you! Try it out and let me know how yours turn out! Happy creating 😊🌈

[@kathhicks6439]

Great info thank you!!! So inspirational! I can’t wait to try~ the end!?! LOL I was like….??? Huh? Wait…

[@catrains.artist]

I didn't even realize I had done this, but then people liked it so I couldn't take it down!

[@christinejoyce7573]

Love your ideas, can’t wait to try making them myself! I also enjoyed the end of the video where you’re trying out different wording to use … you were so calm & sweet as you diligently try to get it right! ❤

[@catrains.artist]

Was that the blooper someone else referred too??!? Didn't realize I left something in like that! Too late now. Need to listen to the end of this one again!

[@christinejoyce7573]

You did great & it makes me realize it’s not as easy as you make it look!

[@catrains.artist]

@@christinejoyce7573 I very much appreciate the kind feedback!

[@catrains.artist]

@@christinejoyce7573 No its not that simple, but with a little practice it is! Hope you enjoy making these!

[@maineacbon1]

I love your tutorials. They are so informative. 😊

[@catrains.artist]

Thanks so very much! Glad you enjoy them.

[@BelindaPort]

Amazing!

[@catrains.artist]

Thank you Belinda!

[@shaunnalyons4436]

Great new stuff. Thank you! 😮😊

[@catrains.artist]

So glad you liked it!

[@halinavogel4827]

I loved this thank you so much❤

[@catrains.artist]

Thank YOU for taking the time to watch🙏🏻

[@novallasuter5265]

Brilliant.

[@catrains.artist]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@MyHealthAsWealth]

As always, SO MANY COOL things to try out - I have no access to gel medium and I cannot afford the international shipping due to the weight, assuming that it could even clear Customs. I'll have to find somebody who has some one of these ol' days. I am just wowed by the options and the end results are truly unique!!! Hats off, Sister and again, thanks for your shares, your talent, your art and your Light!!

[@catrains.artist]

Maybe there is another brand of gel medium where you live in the world. Many brands carry this product so you shouldn't have to buy it from the US. Thanks for the very kind words about what I put out in the world. Very grateful that you are here.

[@MyHealthAsWealth]

I've seen Liquitex Heavy Matte Gel 8oz jar for 36USD in Mexico City - not sure what other brands to look for because the one AMAzING art supply store here has A LOT of product, I'm just not sure if it's the same? I think I've found somehting close & if it doesn't work, it'll only be 7USD lost. We'll see! I'll let you know!😃Happy FRIDAY!

[@cathyquilts2609]

I Loooove paint skins with Nova Color paint. I found Nova Color through Betty Franks Art years ago before they did artist bundles. She covers her table with heavy mil plastic sheeting and uses the table top as a pallet. I love peeling the skins but didn’t know how to store or use them. Thanks!!

[@catrains.artist]

I adore Betty Franks! Thank you for watching!

[@lydiahussey1750]

Great art demo Cat, really enjoyed it❤

[@catrains.artist]

Thanks so very much Lydia!

[@allisonjames2923]

Very cool effect. I tried making paint skins once with fluid paint, but I just couldn’t get it off the surface so gave up, but I see so many possibilities now. Thank you 😊

[@catrains.artist]

Same for me. Tried many times with no success. Now I have even more ideas to make these, probably a future video!

[@lissagoldsmith9597]

Love this process thank you for sharing. I never get bored watching you. Can you write on the skins to embellish embellish them and if so, what kind of marker would you use💜

[@catrains.artist]

What a lovely thing to say Lisa! I would try a posca marker, but have never done this so it would be a fun experiment. Let me know what happens!

[@susanmcalvany6181]

When do you put the gel matt/gloss finish on? Do you let the paint dry completely? Then put it over the dry paint? Thanks for the great videos!👍😊

[@catrains.artist]

You wait until the paint completely dries before adding a layer or more of the gloss medium. Clear tar gel also works, an even better to great a skin. Thanks for the kind words about my videos!

[@marylouharkins5887]

I find that regular gift wrap type tissue does become almost entirely transluscent

[@catrains.artist]

Yes, that is why I use it. Its even more transparent when glued on top of something very light in color.

[@afasimpaur]

If you think that you might want to rework your paint skins after you've added them to your collage (maybe you want to be able to draw on top of them with coloured pencil) you can use clear gesso in place of the matte/gel/gloss medium.

[@catrains.artist]

Would that make it less sticky too? Just a great idea. Will have to give it a go. Thanks for sharing.

[@afasimpaur]

@@catrains.artist it will make the top surface less sticky. The underside of the skin will still be sticky because the slick surface will tend to grab onto itself.

[@angelag9346]

Hi Cat....this is so cool!! Love this technique. Can you put the finished skins between parchment paper? It seems like that would work. I keep a large box of parchment sheets in my Art room and use them for many things. I get the large box at a restaurant supply store near me. The sheets are flat not rolled....they are a staple in my Art space.

[@catrains.artist]

What a fabulous idea. Might have to pick these up too! Thanks for sharing.

[@maryrjfitz]

Loved this video…very cool! 😊 If you put the tar gel on the sleet, would you be able to pick it up without gel?

[@catrains.artist]

So glad you found this useful. Do you mean can you use tar gel without medium? If so, the answer is yes!

[@susansuval5129]

It just occurred to me that I could do some skins in various colors and sizes to experiment in order to decide what to add to a painting. I’m gonna try that later today.

[@catrains.artist]

Yes, that would be a fabulous idea. Since I create collages, I do the same with skins. Trying them on for size before gluing them down!

[@novallasuter5265]

I would like to see the results on a dark background.

[@catrains.artist]

That would be interesting! Sounds like you need to experiment to see what happens, and then let me know!

[@trinapatterson8872]

Livestock, can’t wait to see what’s next

[@catrains.artist]

Livestock? Thank you for wanting to see what I come up with next. Me too. Still trying to figure out what to try for next week's demo!

[@trinapatterson8872]

Sorry auto correct changed it… I was trying to say love theses !!

[@catrains.artist]

@@trinapatterson8872 Too funny!

[@angela_silva_prints]

To cut back the shiny gloss layer, simply paint a thin layer of matte medium on the finished skins.

[@catrains.artist]

Excellent idea! Thanks for sharing.

[@flaekjaflintstone5656]

i'm thinking of if this is maybe something also to iron on textile?

[@catrains.artist]

I've never tried it on fabric, but that is certainly a possibility. Let me know if you try it and what happens!

[@mjmjacqueline8397]

Catherine, do you think we could just add glitter if we don’t have Pearl mica flake?

[@catrains.artist]

Absolutely, that is a great idea!

[@beckerj.gutsch1243]

What if you put done a layer of Matt medium first a let it dry then put down your paint and let that dry. When dry put your top layer of Matt medium. Would that eliminate the te da y for the skin to stick to itself?

[@catrains.artist]

Maybe, sounds like an experiment in the making! Let me know how it works. However the downside of using matte instead of gloss medium is that is dries with a bit of a cloudy film, which is fine if that is the look you are going for. If you want it totally clear, you'll need to use gloss, which means dealing with the stick!

[@mjmjacqueline8397]

Catherine, how thick is your base layer of mat gel? Mine keeps ripping and tearing!

[@catrains.artist]

Every brand could act differently. Maybe experiment with a couple layers? Even my different paints will react to making skins differently.

[@elizabethlessner9512]

Did you try freezer paper paper?

[@catrains.artist]

No, but that would work.

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

Thank you for another excellent video! I have two questions: #1: My budget is limited and while I like Golden brand paints, my finances are geared more towards the bottles of much more affordable craft grade paints. A small container of gel medium is within the realm of possibility, but, since I have craft paints already, it would be great to be able to use them.#2: Does aluminum foil work, instead of plastic sheet protectors? I know that I could, and will experiment for myself, I would like your thoughts on these questions. Thank you!😊

[@catrains.artist]

Craft paints are fine for creating paint skins. You might get more transparency, but that could be a cool affect. I'm thinking the foil will not work, but wax or parchment paper most likely will. Also the inside plastic of cereal boxes!

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

@@catrains.artist Thank you! I look forward to each of your videos; your art is beautiful and your demonstrations are well presented.😊

[@catrains.artist]

@@jeraldbaxter3532 What a very loving thing to say. Thanks so much!

[@MyHealthAsWealth]

Hey Teacher, Teacher, Im wondering what your experience is traveling with your art supplies since I remember an interview where you said you used to take stuff with you and work in your hotel room after your work day ended. In particular, I'm hoping to get some Liquitex gel medium to Mexico but I do not want to check my bag cuz it's an additional $60 to check a bag!!

[@catrains.artist]

Amazing that you remember my early days as the "hotel artist". If you want to check gel medium, you are going to have to carry it in small 3oz containers (check to see what is the max amount of liquid you can check in a single container), and then tape the lid shut and place it in a plastic baggie. If you need more than 3oz, you can bring multiple small bottles of it, all in the same baggie. This way if the pressure from the airplane makes something explode, it will hopefully be container by the baggie!

[@MyHealthAsWealth]

@@catrains.artist I'm also concerned that TSA or Mexican Customs could decide that the stuff is flammable & not let it go through if I have it in my carry on. I was mistaken it's $30 to check my bag, PLUS it's an investment just to buy the gel that makes me cry to think that it wouldn't get through...thanks for your suggestions. YES always in a plastic baggie!

[@MyHealthAsWealth]

@@catrains.artist Well, I found it last year when I was just starting to follow you!! That interview was very inspiring BTW!! 🤩🤩

[@marlygonzalez1429]

Is that palette paper you are using? Would wax paper work also?

[@catrains.artist]

Yes using palette paper. I haven't tried wax paper, but I think it would work. Try it and let us all know!

[@ginetteveugelers970]

At 18:42, what is interference paint please? Thanks

[@catrains.artist]

Its a paint that is initially transparent, but when applied over a darker surface, it shimmers. Golden carries a whole line of colors of these special effect paints.

[@annadora-arts845]

If you can rework them in some way the plastic would make great stencils.

[@catrains.artist]

What an interesting idea. Now I"m going down a new rabbit hole thanks to you!

[@annadora-arts845]

I really do believe the way you tried different things that the idea of stencils would work especially with the paste that wasn't something I was already familiar with. I can;t remember what kind it was I hadn''t heard of it before.

[@annadora-arts845]

I also don't think you go down rabbit holes you just try things until it works. I like it.

[@susansuval5129]

Is this information written down anywhere?

[@catrains.artist]

There is actually a full transcript of the demo under "show more" under the video. Does that help?

[@lisam9233]

Question: Why are you pulling up the pieces to then store in a folder? Wouldn’t it be easier to just let the skin remain on the surface you created it on until you want to use it…and *then* pull it up? Am I missing something?

[@marlygonzalez1429]

I was wondering the same

[@catrains.artist]

You are correct, would be easier. But since this is a demo, I pulled them up to show the result. I probably should have added to leave them in the folder until ready to use. Actually a fabulous suggestion, thank you!

[@catrains.artist]

See my response to Lisa!

[@Sr.uchell78]

If the skins are so sticky how hard is it to put them inside of a folder without destroying them?

[@catrains.artist]

@@Sr.uchell78 I actually make them inside the folder (usually), but its not hard to get them off the palette paper and move them to a folder.

[@karenjoy9997]

😂😂❤

[@catrains.artist]

Thank you Karen!

[@nicoleperron3315]

I've never used matt gel, I'm assuming this is a product for acrylic painting? Is it glue? Does it smell? Do you need ventilation? I noticed you're wearing gloves, is it a skin irritant? Is it archival? I'm curious about collages, it's not something I would normally do, I've never done any acrylic painting either. When you do a collage using various materials, what do you do about the archival quality of scrap netting or bubble wrap?

[@catrains.artist]

Matte gel is an acrylic paint essentially, without the color. Its what I use for glue. No smell, is archival, doesn't need ventilation. I wear gloves because I hate getting my hands sticky, but its not an irritant. I teach a free class on creating collages that is perfect for you not having any experience with this form of art. You can check it out here www.collageworkshops.com/start.

[@nicoleperron3315]

@@catrains.artist thank you

[@catrains.artist]

@@nicoleperron3315 You are most welcome!

[@user-hk2nd1ro7o]

I’d love to see some finished collages with paint skins. I’m not sure how I might use them. I love your classes! I’m taking the free five day and am having a lot of fun!

[@catrains.artist]

@@user-hk2nd1ro7o I"m thrilled that you are enjoying my art demos! I actually have not filmed any demos with me using these, however they can be placed like any collage element, and many of these are translucent, they make a really cool element because you can see what is underneath!

[@karens5429]

WHY NOT LEAVE IT ON THE FILE FOLDER UNTIL NEEDED AND THEN PULL OFF WHAT YOU WANT TO USE?

[@catrains.artist]

You can absolutely do that, and sometimes I do!