Stencil / mixed media / collage tips and demo

[@tallgirlhappyme]

*Love it!* Btw, I came up with an *EASIER stencil cutting technique* for custom complex RE-USE stencils. Use THINNER paper so it's EASIER on your hands to cut. Then give your paper stencil a NUMBER of COATS of spray paint, BOTH sides, to create a STURDIER, almost plastic stencil.

[@TeaLaRee]

As a sensory seeking autistic person, I've always been drawn to different textures and just adore mixed media. I haven't done one in years since college and you've inspired me to give it another go. Brilliant piece of work. Thank you 💛

[@sistersarann3819]

My head just exploded, so much inspiration from this lesson. An art degree in 15 minutes from a master creator :) Thank you :)

[@lindavan5330]

Agreed

[@yeatesmakes]

thanks both, glad you picked some tips up : - )

[@susanglen1769]

You are such an inspiration. I’ve enjoyed all of your videos and they always leave me excited to get back to work and try something new. You are the most talented artist working on gel plates. I love making stencils and this intricate design you tackled, blew my mind. You use your scapel, like a brain surgeon. Please keep the videos coming. Thanks so much for sharing your art with us.

[@andreamittleider2483]

I don’t think you’ve made a video I haven’t enjoyed and learned from, so please keep them coming! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your artistry with us. Also, given your love of intricate stencil designs, I have to suggest that you may want to invest in a Cricut or whatever similar machine is available on your side of the pond. You can digitally manipulate your image to black and white, send it to the Cricut, and then it cuts the stencil for you. Such a time saver!

[@yeatesmakes]

Hi Andrea, I worry that if I got a Cricut I'd lose the love of the whole process. I love the cutting part - music on and just get lost in it!!!

[@andreamittleider2483]

Fair @@yeatesmakesThank you!

[@deartdebonair3272]

Love all your techniques… and always 😂ready for the main course 🎉

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) cheers

[@heatherm2125]

Stunning! I love all the layers popping through, and was intrigued when you chose to knock some back out. The outcome is really fabulous.

[@robertaknox9269]

I love this.For years I have done representational art in watercolor, mixed media, and drawings and have recently been exploring collage to create abstract imagery. After watching a number of your videos over the past couple of days I have been inspired to experiment with some of your techniques. Thank you.

[@yeatesmakes]

Such a lovely message and really glad some of the techniques have got you thinking and playing : )

[@ellenross5553]

Love this painting so much! So glad I found your videos…so inspiring! Please keep them coming! ❤ Thank you

[@yeatesmakes]

Will keep them coming Ellen, thanks for positive words : )

[@gjd1155]

I just love your videos! I like the way that you talk like we're right there in the room. Great job!

[@rebeccamoore4177]

Experimentation for the win! 📰🎨✍🏼

[@lorithompson2432]

Thank you! You inspire me. I love watching your videos right before I breakout my supplies!

[@juliebooton1360]

Love this video and the techniques used. Fabulous results. I spent a year as an art student in Brighton, many years ago, so this brought back memories.

[@susanmarcoux7005]

Another winner there Mark 👏 Thanks again. Glad you're having so much fun because it means we keep getting to ride your coattails!

[@yeatesmakes]

: )

[@dawnarobertson9577]

This piece belongs in a museum. You are just that good!

[@yeatesmakes]

Really kind Dawna, thanks

[@Kd33_art]

Whaaaaaat. !!!?? You NEVER stop blowing my mind with your amazing demos! Your art is just amazing!! Thanks again for sharing. 👀😵‍💫

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) cheers kimberly, very kind

[@kristinev7671]

Feel like I just watched the best magic show ever and got to see behind the scenes and learn a little magic too. Fantastic work. Thank you so very much for sharing and for all the work you put into the videos too.

[@yeatesmakes]

A pleasure to share, thanks for commenting : )

[@dyeitb1ack]

Stunning!! Really beautiful pieces, that intricate stencil from your oil sketch is just amazing. love the way you edit your videos, seeing artists work, how it all comes together is like magic to me.

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) very kind, thanks

[@candmmom]

WOW, I have never seen anyone work like this before. I LOVE both directions you took the piece but if I were hanging it I would prefer the first. I can't believe you took the same stencil both directions though. I would love to take a week long workshop with you@@

[@marilynburke7609]

Amazing! So glad I came across your videos. All the information you share has put my brain in gear. Yes, please make another video and show technique more fully. Thank you so much for sharing. 😊❤️

[@yeatesmakes]

great the brain is in gear!

[@marilynalexieff285]

What a great idea for the reflection of the pier in the water!

[@yeatesmakes]

Thanks Marilyn, relief collage and decollage is so useful!!!

[@kaymariejacobson5323]

Always full of great ideas and your results are fantastic!

[@rebeccabailey8748]

Fascinating to watch 😮

[@karenwalby9608]

Amazing! Beautiful work. Great lesson. Thanks!

[@TheSDJan]

Wonderful! So many ideas and thoughts. Love how brave you are…inspiring! Thank you!

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) cheers Jan

[@suzishapiro9867]

Your work is beautiful ! Love how you are experimenting with so many techniques. A good example of using years of effort and learning to move even further. Love to see the gel plate used to creat real art.

[@yeatesmakes]

Really kind comment Suzi, thanks : )

[@claudiaguzman6092]

I really love your choice of colors!

[@tfayegriffin]

I’ve taken to calling you “Proff” because each video is like taking a master class. Thank you for sharing your expertise so generously.

[@yeatesmakes]

Lol! a pleasure to share : )

[@CJoyArt]

You never cease to amaze me! This is brilliant!!!

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) thanks Carole

[@janethartmannjones4781]

Wow, that final piece is a stunner

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) Thanks Janet, it was fun to make

[@nataliephelan7773]

Fantastic art lessons thank you so much

[@treilly261]

You Are Amazing!! Thank You for showing us !!

[@sandieburrows4167]

Mark, you’ve done it again 😊 Your ideas are always amazing and your results never fail to please , What a clever Artist you are 😊 Thank you for sharing, I look forward to seeing what you next have to share 😊 Stay safe x

[@yeatesmakes]

Lovely message Sandie, thanks : )

[@stephaniethomas7232]

That piece with the reflection is so amazing!

[@yeatesmakes]

Very kind, thanks : )

[@sabinekorth]

Bellissimo! 👏✂️🎨🎶 thanks. Yes I would really appreciate you share more about the layering and peeling back in your collage process. Evviva the adventures and discoveries of the ripping the paper layers! 😉🍀

[@yeatesmakes]

Hey Sabine, there are some more vids about collage on the channel now if you're interested : )

[@FR-wc2dn]

What thickness of paper did you use to cut the stencil? Will the delicate lines in the stencil get thicker and more blurred the more you use spray paint and the adhesive on it? Were both of the pieces on plywood? And how long do you think the stencil will last? Sorry, too many questions. Thanks so much for making these videos, so informative and you make the process sound so logical. A couple of really nice art pieces there. I hope you are able to exhibit them somewhere. I hope that wasn't Mrs Yeates best tea towel.

[@ykrgfk]

The finer cut the design, the thinner your stencil card/paper needs to be. Ordinary paper will work fine for a single use, but will curl as it dries and be very difficult to re-use. Yeates is cutting into an acrylic sketch so, although it's ordinary paper, the acrylic layer(s) strengthens it for stencil work. I mostly use 'stencil card' which is heavily impregnated with linseed oil and gives a stencil that lasts very well and is easily cleaned. Acetate or mylar sheets are better for fine detail. Yes, it will gradually clog with glue and paint - though a sturdy stencil can be cleaned. If (acrylic) paint has dried try using alcohol to clean it off - I use surgical spirit. The spray glue comes off with white spirit. You'll still need to store them between sheets of some non-stick material - though I've sometimes just dusted them with talc.

[@yeatesmakes]

Hi there both, I used 140gsm cartridge paper for this stencil BUT I must add that I drew it nopt intending to make a stencil! The acrylic from the gel plate transfer strengthened it but I find if you are careful with card stencils and don't over spray then they last ages and don't clog up : )

[@craftbird1]

I like the idea of peeling away parts to show the background..

[@yeatesmakes]

so many possibilities with collage....

[@Bellbirdblue]

Wow, that final piece is spectacular! The effect of the reflection and the textures is just stunningly beautiful. Those last few shots of the soft lines in the reflection showing through your collaged areas evoked feelings of serenity.

[@yeatesmakes]

hey rebecca, lovely comment, thank you : )

[@tracygillard7388]

Amazing. Loved it.

[@nino2121]

Fantastic

[@xVentax]

Fantastic! And yes, any and every technique you experiment with I’d be more than interested in seeing, please.

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) cheers Venta

[@iknownothing-49]

Great video. Yes, I’d love to see more about your collage techniques.

[@yeatesmakes]

Hi Imelda, I put another couple of vids about collage techniques, hopefully you caught them : )

[@artworkby]

Ah man - you’re so Rock ‘n’ Roll… 🤩. Keep inspiring, love your stuff… kind regards, Sharon.

[@yeatesmakes]

Cheers Sharon : )

[@Xenopticon]

Spectacular! Especially the second one! The reflection, plus the abstracted ripples from the dechirage /totally/ anchor the stencil in the overall image. I'm particularly impressed with how well the essentially geometric cuts--plus any stray tears and sanding--convey rippling, reflective water. The physical, slightly dimensional layers may play into this as well. Additionally, I think there are three things that further the sense of the stencil fully residing in an environment: Massing the collage in the lower areas of the images. And the particular marks that you make, as well as those already on the collage materials themselves. Putting all of these in the bottom of the image implies a foreground. In the case of the second image, the ripples make this explicit, but the use and type of collage, overall, further reinforce it. Likewise, the contrast in the styles of marks in the sky, the pier, and the collage/water. ...And now that I'm reviewing it, the sanding in the lower pier adds a kind of atmospheric perspective, almost like a like mist hovering over the water. (So, maybe that's more like 5 things....) Although it's a basic precept, that whole foreground, middle ground, and background thing really works well, here. I think I never did go back and say, regarding the earlier pier images-one very dark, which you said you didn't like so much, and the brighter, sunrise-colored image-that I liked both, including the darker one. Of the two, I actually preferred it, as an image. However, I also realized at some point that a good deal of the story in those two images resides in their sequence and/or juxtaposition. Sort of the story of your last 18 or 24 months, as you've shared in a couple of your videos. It's a bit like that point Scott McCloud makes in Understanding Comics (I think it was): the passage of time, and therefore the actual progression of the story, happens between the frames. Don't be too quick to dismiss or discount the dark works. They are evidence of passing /through/ the times they reference, and onward to what comes after. There is hope in that, and it benefits all of us. Yes, please, regarding the offer of a video on decollage technique. Also, this is another time to mention the brilliant Mark Bradford's collage works. He has a whole series of monumental collages in which he embedded strings and ropes, then tore the paper by pulling the embedded fibers out through the layers. One of these is the title image in the article “Mark Bradford’s Paintings Scratch at the Surface of a Conflicted America” from the smithsonianmag.com website. Definitely worth some examination, particularly in this context. Finally, at about 8:47, some vertical marks begin appearing in the first image, while you're sanding. What accounts for these? Did you add more collage at some point? Were they drips? Or...? They are subtle, but really add a lot to the image. Thanks for sharing your expertise so generously! Who knows how much art erupts into the world as a direct result of people watching your videos?

[@yeatesmakes]

Thanks as ever for such extensive comments and the Smithsonian link is great. I'm hoping, as a result of ,the videos, lots of people will pick up tips and more art gets made! The vertical marks were drips, slightly in relief so they pick up under the sander. Will be putiing more stuff together on collage / decollage - techniques I love and am glad to see resonate with some of the viewers : )

[@jaynedough130]

yes to further techniques on ripping back!

[@yeatesmakes]

Just finishing video now!

[@patstats1]

Always inspiring! Thanks for another wonderful lesson!

[@yeatesmakes]

A pleasure : )

[@TheOldladyB]

Stunning piece. However long it took you to cut out that stencil, it was worth it. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@yeatesmakes]

it took a few albums!!!!

[@susanfield2444]

Absolutely love the video. Thanks very much.

[@yeatesmakes]

Cheers Susan, it was a fun one to make : )

[@cloe.b]

stunning, beautiful piece, the stencil is just wow

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) it was a tricky cut!!!!

[@maryclemons1048]

Wonderful! So in awe of your talent!

[@yeatesmakes]

Very kind, thanks : )

[@janicetortoriello1125]

Awesome !!! Would love to see a video about masking tape technique. I am learning so much from you, my mind is exploding about your techniques and how I can use them. Thank you so much for your video’s, very much appreciated 🙏

[@yeatesmakes]

A pleasure to share Janice, thanks for lovely comment

[@ecki0870]

Love this printing art🫧you inspired me with each video so please share to the awerenes world

[@gloriaschurman6221]

Absolutely marvelous.

[@yeatesmakes]

Cheers for support Gloria : )

[@LizzF1000]

Love watching your videos

[@yeatesmakes]

Cheers for support and tuning in : )

[@mvswaaij]

Such beautiful work ! Blown away by the effect of the collage, sanding, ripping, and then...The reflection of the pier , absolutely beautiful, really !!! Thanks for the video Mark.

[@yeatesmakes]

sanding and ripping and glueing and cutting and repeat!!!! never tire of it!

[@malg3113]

Fantastic, informative and inspirational video. I've learned so much from you. Thanks for sharing 🐱

[@yeatesmakes]

A pleasure to share : )

[@tanialaplante]

Absolutely loved this piece and would love to see more on layering with collage, paint etc. great effect:)

[@Kd33_art]

Ditto!

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) more on the channel now

[@juliecollett6549]

awsome technics . Thanks Mark for sharing your journey 😊

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) a pleasure, thanks for commenting

[@juliepederson8468]

Would love more of the lifting techniques!👍🏽

[@yeatesmakes]

Just finishing a video on how I use collage / decollage that you might enjoy. Should be ready to publish tomorrow ; )

[@sjshapir]

Wow! You have so many interesting ideas. And you manage to turn them into something unexpectedly lovely. I know this takes a lot of time to record, never mind completing the art work. Thanks for taking the time to share what you are doing. Hope in brings you lots of wanted attention.

[@yeatesmakes]

Cheers Suzi, lovely comment : )

[@Imma_rose2]

WOW!! Love your work of art!!!

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) cheers

[@marywarren1209]

I think collaging takes courage in that you need to be willing to let go of what you have applied. Your techniques are so freeing! I am always so inspired .Thank you for letting us watch the development of your work.

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) a pleasure to share

[@renig5059]

Phenomenal.. you must have been born with a scalpel in your hand it’s like an extension of your hand such intricate work… beautiful 🤩 and the result is just unbelievable 😱 it’s a master class thx 🤪

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) cheers, very kind words and glad you enjoyed

[@jennifergrant1452]

Blimey!……so good thanks!

[@yeatesmakes]

cheers : )

[@susanrosen5828]

Loving all your videos!! Fantastic and very inspiring!👍😁

[@yeatesmakes]

Great news : )

[@lorrywin32]

Fantastic pieces! More details on the collaging world be great. 😀thanks

[@yeatesmakes]

more on collage coming!!!!

[@deborahthompson3847]

Wonderful! Thank you again!

[@yeatesmakes]

A pleasure : )

[@tofino14]

Love your work. Thank you for sharing

[@yeatesmakes]

A pleasure, thanks for thanks

[@lisam9233]

Fabulous piece. Such fun watching you work. And almost 10K subscribers now! 🥳

[@yeatesmakes]

Cheers Lisa, I reckon you've been supporting channel since near the beginning so it's lovely getting a message from you : )

[@ReneGriffith1]

Love how to handled the collages area. Would be interested in seeing more collage with gel plate printing! Thank you for all your inspiration and fabulous techniques. So happy I found you!

[@yeatesmakes]

More collage stuff coming soon

[@rlturnerdesigns]

Your video is so inspiring. Thank you

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) cheers

[@nansea57]

Love These!

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) cheers

[@MsCharlieBrown78]

Amazing!

[@yeatesmakes]

Cheers Charlie, very kind : )

[@pippipants]

I bet you're glad you persevered with that pier stencil. Looks amazing with your background techniques 👍

[@yeatesmakes]

wasdefinitely worth the butting - I really enjoyed making the collaged piece particularly and the stencil is strill in good shape for more : )

[@skyqueenstudios]

What a great technique with peeling back the tape layers, I’d love to see more about that. I look forward to getting time to be in the studio again so I can experiment with cutting my own stencil, I want to try a lacy one 😊

[@debbiecarter6430]

Fab Mark, thank you 😊

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) a pleasure

[@lindaslatterysherman8196]

Love your videos. They are so informative

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) great to hear they're useful

[@jimini1978]

Another great video. I love the art you create! Thank you for sharing your experimentation with all of us.

[@yeatesmakes]

Really kind comment Carol, thanks.

[@donnaferguson513]

Great clip!!!

[@yeatesmakes]

: )

[@gayneels5169]

Amazing, thank you.

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) cheers gay, good to knw you're still out there tuning in!

[@osmeillstop10]

Brilliant work thank you

[@yeatesmakes]

: )

[@artcuriousbymnw]

Thank you so much! Great job!

[@yeatesmakes]

Cheers, glad you liked it : )

[@GrandmaAbby1]

Always a treat to watch you in action. Awesome work!!!

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) cheers abby

[@lindadudgeon1564]

The collaged area on the second piece is so interesting I would like to see a video on that technique.

[@yeatesmakes]

Collage stuff coming soon!

[@CraigsOverijse]

Please do not underestimate your own skill level, to you it's simple to others would be a huge strggle to do this. Wonderful art works. Please somseveral videos on your collage techniques.

[@yeatesmakes]

Hi Craig family, I'll post more on collage happily. these ones were a fun challenge : )

[@ChrissieNicely]

The last one is my favourite - almost monochromatic with some pops of colour in the collaged bits. I feel I could spend a long time looking at all the wonderful textures you created. 😍

[@yeatesmakes]

Cheers Chrissie, glad so many people enjoy collage, I'll feature a bit more on the channel : )

[@kinafari]

What a great video! I really enjoyed your process:) Please make collage videos too! ❤️❤️

[@yeatesmakes]

A couple more now on the channel : ) glad you enjoyed this one

[@bettyfreckles]

I just found your channel. Love your process. Not sure if you know of this technic/trick but when you did the reflection, while your stencil was still on your board you could have used baby-wipes to remove some layer of fresh paint. This way you would have been able to see more of what was underneath before you applied the paint. If that's what you would have wanted and saved you from sanding. Baby-wipes work wonders if you never tried them to remove fresher paint. Just a thought. Thank you for sharing.

[@yeatesmakes]

Cheers Betty, lovely of you to pass on tips. I'll put some on my shopping list. Can you rinse them out and reuse them?

[@ulrike1995]

It ist super, I am very interesting in decollage.

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) video about decollage (my take on it!!!) on the channel now

[@tracyroberts9459]

Brilliantly explained, amazing results, Thank you for sharing! 🥰xxx

[@yeatesmakes]

A pleasure to share Tracy : )

[@ginaburgess9759]

Fascinating to watch your process Mark. That final piece with the reflection is wonderful. I'd definitely like to see more content about the layered collage. Thanks once again!

[@yeatesmakes]

A couple more vids about collage on the channel now Gina : )

[@deniselovell1096]

Great video, Mark - those broken reflections are fantastic!

[@yeatesmakes]

they were fun to make, lovely when ideas evolve and come to you as you make!!!

[@kmoore6105]

Yeates, can you please make a video creating a collage using gell prints, paint, crayons and images. I know you have touched on the subject. But it would be wonderful if you could demonstrate a cool grunge style collage using those elements. Thanks from across the pond.

[@yeatesmakes]

Hi Kimberly, I'll put your request on the list!

[@eileendonovan8496]

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE SOME OF THE TECHNIQUES YOU SPOKE ABOUT.

[@yeatesmakes]

On their way to you soon!

[@4551C]

AWESOME! I really love your collage technique on the 2nd piece. Thank you for sharing. What type of material is your stencil made of? I should make my own stencils. But I don't know if I'd have the patience to create such an intricate stencil as Brighton Pier. Still that is what makes these 2 pieces so beautiful. I just might have to make that one of my goals this year. Looking forward to watching more of your work with stencils!

[@dawnarobertson9577]

Awesome! If the spray paint is oil-based and the acrylic goes OVER it, won’t there be a problem later of overall peeling?

[@victoria-goulden-art]

I was wondering about that, I'd expect the acrylic paint to bead over spray paint ... interesting @Yeates Makes ? :) what brand spray paint may i ask ?

[@yeatesmakes]

Seems to be OK if you sand lightly before adding acrylic. I use Loop spray paints

[@victoria-goulden-art]

@@yeatesmakes many thanks!

[@izzyjones7108]

I'm wanting to make a hot glue stencil of the pier in Santa Monica...I miss it out there

[@yeatesmakes]

Not tried that technique Izzy, let me know how it goes : )

[@robertoamezcua7624]

Yay, new video. I was going through with drawls

[@yeatesmakes]

: ) cheers Roberto

[@ykrgfk]

Thanks. Some great ideas - and a beautiful image. Though I think your stencil might be too 'deep-end' to encourage people to try it! I use stencils a lot and I tend to make abstract images. Much simpler stencils (applied whole or in part) can be twisted, turned and flipped to get a wide range of results from very little - especially if you mix straightforward spray/brush stencilling with using it on a gel plate and incorporating those results too. I like the way you use some collage pieces to act as a mask and then remove them. Thanks again for another excellent video.

[@yeatesmakes]

Great suggestions here, thank you. I will think on them as i make future vids : )

[@woozelwoo6922]

Collage tutorial, yes please!!!

[@yeatesmakes]

Done! And more coming. Too hot for gel plate and relief printing so collage and spray cans are top of the menu!