Try this technique in mixed media paintings

In this week's video, I am sharing a brand new mixed media technique that I just started using. I often find that when I work in an experimental way instead of with intention, I learn so many new approaches to being creative. And since I liked how it turned out, I thought I would share it with you! So tune in and let me know what you think. Is this one technique you would like to try?
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[@ArtyAntics]

I have been doing this technique for some time. In the craft world they use acetate and ink in a similar way and call it ink smooching. I took it into my art practice and use it with paint, acrylic inks and all sorts. There is an artist call Dan Tirel that uses plastic sheets and oil paint who mono prints in a similar fashion. It’s fascinating how we tend to do similar ideas but all in our own unique ways. The thing I love about the clear plastic is that it can wipe off so I’m not wasting paper plus you can see it. As it’s not sinking into the paper the colour intensity stays a bit stronger too. I also work on a glass plate often and smoosh my paper onto that, I’ve had many happy accidents from a clean up smoosh!

[@brendahughes2330]

This weekend I was just using a grater for soft pastels, shaving onto wet paper, then taking a wet brush and painting out some areas and leaving most alone. Let it all dry and this morning and ended up with a beautiful area that looked like water condensation with blue around yellow with of course, blended greens. So cool!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Sounds great!

[@AskPiaAkashic]

That sounds really cool!

[@lynndonnelly6471]

Did you notice the face in the blue layer 😮 4.11 spooky. Great technique love the effect 👍🏻

[@julieannecoffey9543]

Yes wondered if any else did I see faces everywhere

[@katerose8393]

Yes! It was amazing, this lady just showed up out of nowhere, absolutely perfect 😮

[@jackieswe]

Amazing experimentation Louise, did you see the face that appeared when you were using the unicen? soft pastel (around 4.15m I think)😮

[@Lisa.DiPrete]

I saw it, uncanny how perfect it was.

[@girlhue]

Wow you’ve opened up this technique for me that I have only used with watercolor and deli paper. Never occurred to me to use charcoal and pastels. Thank you Louise for this! So looking forward to your class! ❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@katerose8393]

New subscriber here and totally new to art in general, but it’s brought a joy back into my life that has been missing for decades. The only thing is, i’m trying to keep some control of my spending….is it only me who finds that every single video brings a new item that I ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE?!! On this one it’s that deep blue pastel…ohmigosh!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are not alone Kate! I think many of us battle that 😂

[@cydsnest]

Can’t wait to try this on deli paper and then glue it on my canvas to get a translucent shadow, stone, or rock effect. Love this!! Thank you!!! 😊❤😊

[@ThisPaintingLife]

What a great idea!!

[@teristanaford1575]

What is Deli paper?

[@cydsnest]

@@teristanaford1575 Deli Paper Sheets are Transparent Paper like Tracing Paper for Collage, Drawing Printing Sketching or Calligraphy. I get mine on Amazon, about 12 inches square about $12 US for 120 sheets. Like tissue paper but stronger maybe, it can get pretty wet and not rip up. I paint designs on it, let it dry, then glue it on my artwork and the paper seems to disappear leaving only the design. You can make all kinds of beautiful effects with it. Sky's the Limit! Very fun. Louise has a video about it here on her channel. That's where I discovered it.

[@yogatypeful]

I love! you, your paintings and your thoughtful and generous explorations and ruminations about creating, expressing, experimenting , trusting exploration!

[@tanyalalonde733]

Wow...I can't wait to try this....love it!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Aww thank you!

[@riverrat7356]

One additional way to handle this is to roll chop sticks across the wash and you’ll find so many figurative images that arise

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That's a great idea!

[@PaulWalesArt]

Simply brilliant. I love the videos of you experimenting and providing the voice over.❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you so much!

[@suegosselin3054]

I love your process!! Thank you for sharing !

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@daisyandthecowboy2544]

In art there are no mistakes, just discoveries. You just ask yourself, what if I do this? Most of the time I feel like a mad scientist. Love your discovery with charcoal...

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you enjoyed it Daisy!

[@maureenburger9121]

Thanks. Great!. Yes I also saw the face, and had actually seen one earlier around 3:15. Maybe look for discoveries a bit below rolling the paper towel. 😄

[@jentrujillo9110]

Louise, thank you so much for this.. I immediately started experimenting. I had purchased these ‘ArtGraf’ pigment blocks, inspired by tailors chalk… I’ve been very precious with them..and breaking them out and trying with this technique was fun and yes gave me ideas!!!!!

[@leilaskye8143]

This why I love thr free taster. Great play and new ideas like this

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you are joining us!

[@beckyreed4028]

Thanks so much, Louise. It's fun fooling around with this. I found by not rolling it off but letting it drip a little it created some cool textures.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That is a great way to create textures isn't it?

[@juliegriffiths4272]

I'm gonna play.... 💛🎶

[@louisenicholson9519]

Thanks so much for sharing your experiments with us, Louise!

[@jacquietarr7280]

Thank you so much for your generosity and inspiration ❤️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@artsy1125]

Very interesting. I'm going to try this technique. Not something I would have ever thought of on my own. Thanks!!

[@gwenhartland6028]

Very interesting technique, I want to try this. Thanks

[@traceykronick3292]

Love it!

[@MixedMediaArtByTrina]

Love this experiment. I might try this with Inktense blocks or maybe water soluble pastels. So many possibilities. Thanks for sharing. ❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@Jean-lb8tq]

YES! brilliant, thanks Louise

[@priscillahardin156]

Looks like fun! Can't wait to try it.

[@sylviagleiter4357]

Beautiful effects! Thank you, Louise.

[@mireillejacques5851]

Super, j'adore

[@catherinetaaffe8733]

Beautiful thank you for sharing ❤️ 🙏

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome ❤

[@melissaamyx2196]

This is MARVELOUS!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you liked it! ♥

[@8433alice]

BIG thanks to you for demoing a technique I have never seen! You are such a lovely, generous teacher. Thank you.

[@OliviaAlexanderArt]

I use charcoal and water in the early stages of my works all the time and love the organic effect it gives. I haven’t tried it with soft pastel though, thanks for sharing this Louise ❤

[@ranjanachand9306]

Great experiments.. Thanks for sharing😊

[@artandinspirations9886]

This is wonderful, thank you so much! Loved the dark blue one especially.

[@philandviki]

I love this! Thank you!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You're so welcome!

[@halehmahbodart2868]

Thank you Louise. This is so cool! I will definitely use it.

[@samznbful]

Thank you for this technique Louise - it is beautiful 💙. Loving your free taster course too.

[@LindaBarton-ut3wf]

I use the bags from inside cereal packets for printing with inks and acrylics.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That's a wonderful idea!

[@EmmaFaulkner_Randomness]

Might have to try this with Inktense blocks

[@marysmith6054]

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and process, this is how I learn and you have inspired me.

[@sarawelder1]

I loved this experiment!!! I would never have thought of this but now I will put my brain on alert to think of new ways to make the image!

[@user-ni1bz4on1d]

Wow! This blew my mind. Now I have to get some charcoals and soft pastels. Thanks Louise.

[@TeresaCashArt]

Thank You for sharing this technique with us!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@jeannelutzkow2507]

What a great idea! I love this.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks so much!

[@treezydcm]

Absolutely love it. I will def try it!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Please do and then let me know how it works!

[@aniabravo9058]

👏👏👏👏 fantástico,gran idea🎨🖌️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad you think so!

[@user-ej5hz5gp4o]

Wow love that. I am definitely mixed media. Got some pastels so going to try it now. Loving FYJ

[@amandavdbergh2210]

Aaah, thank you Louise! You are such an inspiration!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Oh thank you! ♥

[@susanrosen5828]

Fabulous!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you Susan!

[@debbiemason2706]

I must try this! I can see how it would expand my work in abstract and mixed media. 😊

[@deborahwolff5651]

I love it, it looks beautiful! I love the energy and feeling.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Aww thank you ♥

[@lindaatkins2197]

This is so cool! I've been working on my paintings all afternoon. I'm so in to mixed media; new colors, WC, acrylic, ink, stamping. Now I have try your newest sharing. My brain is swimming with ideas to try! Thank you Louise!

[@raerae6422]

Ive got a handful of pastel pencils that i barely ever use because of having to "fix" the marks. Never knew water helps to fix them. Thanks, gorgeous one!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Give it a try you may be surprised!

[@jodirankin5901]

Love this and thank you for sharing the technique! I want to try it!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome and give it a try!

[@gailierunninglynx7310]

👍Thank You!! Loved this and I can hardly wait for class!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

So glad to hear you are joining us!

[@CherylK.333]

I love this! Thank you for sharing your experiments, Louise. They are inspiring!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome!

[@tarabelk9679]

Oh wow! What a discovery- thank you so much for generously sharing!! I just love the effects you were getting and can’t wait to experiment and play! I love pastels and charcoal and have used them for years in traditional layering but disliked having to frame them under glass. If just using water can fix those beautiful atmospheric effects - I am so thrilled! You are right - so many ways to use and build these techniques and we are all so much richer by sharing. 🤗💜

[@dianehinson2170]

Great technique, Louise. Going to try this later . Thanks

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You’re welcome 😊 and glad you agree!

[@user-bm3bf2uf8p]

Brillant!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you think so!

[@estherljonesdotcomartist5505]

As a pastelist, this is an exciting technique!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you think so!

[@maxnme21]

Thank you so much for sharing this….i love the results!! I want to run to my art room and try it!!i Thank you for all the. Ideas and enlightening us all and bringing us in to your wonderful art world. Now…I have to RUN!!!❤❤🤗🤗👏👏 Charlotte

[@jaycham17]

Very interesting technique. I enjoyed watching and will try this.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@roz8723]

Wow, this is amazing Louise. Going to give it a try. Looking forward to the course.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad you enjoyed it and are joining us!

[@judithclendenning4146]

Thank you Louise.. love the effects.. luscious…❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You’re welcome 😊

[@judithclendenning4146]

I actually used this technique for Lesson 2 of FYJ 2023. It was the first layer of painting #1 on lesson 2.. so exciting doing something different.. thank you SO MUCH Louise Fletcher for sharing this..more tools in my art box.❤❤❤❤

[@riverrat7356]

I’ve been doing these washes for years . Glad you use it as well

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Great minds think alike!

[@ellenwilliams6406]

I love this! I have done something similar with paint but this is awesome!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@user-oc9cj1ot4q]

Wow, love this technique, Louise! Happy experimentation! So sorry I have to miss the workshop, will be thinking of you all!!!!!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

No worries!

[@sequoia4520]

Delightful. I will purchase a couple of pastels tomorrow to experiment with! Thank you.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Have fun!

[@vibrantly50]

I’ll experiment with this using Japanese tissue. Been having a very hard time finding wet strength tissue here in Portugal but, can find book Japanese restoration papers!

[@RobinGayl]

I always do this sort of thing but never thought it was “art”….now after taking your Taster course I realize it is part of my toolkit of preferences!

[@ThisPaintingLife]

😀❤

[@xencage]

I love doing this with inks and acrylic paint as well. You can use thicker paint and get the decalcomania effects like Max Ernst and Ravenet. ❤️

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Nice!

[@transferessence]

This is great! but at timestamp of 4:09 can you see the face that emerged?!! Thanks for sharing this technique.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome and I didn't see it before but i can see it now. ♥

[@bethlapenna.creativearts]

Wonderful, Louise! If I wanted to glue the finished paper to a cradled wood panel with gel medium, how would I seal it to keep the chalk pastels and charcoal from rubbing off?

[@leslieperez5334]

Loved these ideas. I was wondering, however, if with lighter colors you use less water to get more of an image. I loved the final piece in the pinks, blues, black, white and all the mark making.

[@leslieg3581]

this looks exciting and inspiring! thank you! question: what is the mark-making tool you used for the 'drawing'.

[@BB-nz5sk]

Ohhhh - thank you - I have some Schmincke liquid charcoal that I can play with!! ❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

You are so welcome. Have fun playing!

[@scohenp]

Thanks a lot

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Most welcome

[@andreaharley4047]

Ooooh i love this idea,i cant wait to get experimenting with charcoal.I was just wondering if this could be done with soft pastels. Ile give it a try.❤

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Yes you can! Hopefully you love it a much as I do!

[@debracomeau]

Louise, this is lovely and I have tried your charcoal and pastel technique and absolutely love the results! Question I have is how would I "set" the pastel and charcoal in my painting so it doesn't smear and turn into mud when adding acrylic paint? I work in acrylic paint and collage, and I would love to incorporate this technique in my work! Thank you for your time. Deb

[@antje9618]

Great🎉

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks 😄

[@annjamieson6203]

Fascinating, going to try! Would love to know what sketchbook you're using please. Thanks Louise 🙂

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Sorry but I have no idea. I use any and all sketchbooks and rarely remember what I bought

[@saraweiss6219]

Hi Lousie, i found you on you tube a few days ago and I'm so happy that i did. your videos are great and so teachable. Thank you for sharing so much knowledge and experience. will you please tell me what kind of sketch book you are using ? what kind of paper (the one with the spiral ) it looks to absorb a lot of paint ant wet. also what is the blue paper that you use (paper towel or tissue paper as its called) - it also looks pretty strong without texture on it. I hope to find both of them on Amazon. Thank you so much and all the best. Sara

[@Robustartpainting]

Nice 👍❤️😀😘😀❤️😀😘

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Thanks 🤗

[@lisawoodward432]

Very interesting technique, Louise, thank you. Have you been able to see whether acrylic paint adheres over soft pastel set with water?

[@ThisPaintingLife]

It should do as this is water-soluble media nit wax-based.

[@raesun7828]

What sort of paper are you using to scribble on and wet? I keep finding it soaks into the paper and doesnt keep its depth.

[@vickyb9918]

Very cool. Is it oil pastels?

[@darlenebaldwin1398]

💖

[@Fidelabstractfineart]

I've been experimenting with oils and construction paper, paper towels and turpentine, blotting paints on the palette with them, etc. Had not tried charcoal, pastels, etc. and water. I wonder how oil pastels and turpentine would work....

[@annrubino6252]

Thank you, thank you - how many hours of disappointment you have saved us, IF we thought to try this! This frees me to extrapolate the genius here and maybe try using fluid medium/water and wait a bit to transfer onto substrate? Off to have fun.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Glad I could help!

[@patriciabrown4061]

Hi Louise, I have signed up for your free course, unfortunately I now must travel abroad so I won't be able to start the course. Can I still do the course at a later date or is this a live course only, if so, I will miss out! Thank you very much for letting me know.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

Just available to watch until Sept 18th x

[@doriscorea7776]

I just today 9/3 got the email announcing the free course that starts on 9/1!! Why? Can I still sign up. It would have been nice if I got this before 9/1!

[@sonja-silva]

Hi Louise, I am definitely going to try this. You say soft pastel, is that the same as oil pastels? Greetings, Sonja

[@ThisPaintingLife]

No! These are chalk-based

[@sonja-silva]

@@ThisPaintingLife Oké, can you recommend which ones to get then? Quite new to the art game 😌

[@blaircrouseart]

I wonder if Neocolor 2 could be used…

[@LavishHim]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎨👍🏻

[@ThisPaintingLife]

♥♥♥

[@shirleypaul9837]

AS I wat6ched, I found myself hoping you'd not blot so much. I liked the darks left as they were before blotting, though I realize the drying time would be pretty long if you did that.

[@maga2223]

I wonder how to get the same effects on canvas...

[@ThisPaintingLife]

try it and see

[@bobbiemenendez4807]

I”m signed up to take your one Taster course. I’ve never worked with acrylics, but with watercolors. I love abstracts and the free expression they lead to. I’d like to try these pastels, but how do I know which to purchase? some are described as soft chalk pastels. I find it very confusing. If you could just tell me which to purchase, even the brand, I’d very much appreciate it. Thank you. Bobbie Menendez

[@ThisPaintingLife]

any soft chalk pastel is fine

[@bobbiemenendez4807]

Can I trouble you for the size of the pad and the weight of its paper? Thanks again. I just ordered the acrylic tubes. I’ll get them on time.

[@martinagallegos7891]

Saw the answer.

[@ianbertram2081]

I've done something similar with water soluble art bars. I put mine through a press onto damp paper, buti don't see why your approach shouldn't work too.

[@ThisPaintingLife]

That's another great idea!

[@martinagallegos7891]

What is that roll looking object? Looks like blue roll of paper towels.

[@Lisa.DiPrete]

It is, they're called shop towels.