Tutorial - Mixed media canvas by Marie-Josée

Hello all!

Today, I will show you how to create this mixed media canvas in 10 steps.

Supplies:

- Small canvas (I used a 5" x 7" canvas)
- Glue
- Sponge
- Paintbrush
- Heat gun (usually used for embossing)
- Paper towels
- Stamps
- Black ink
- Piece of a Blue Fern panel or any other Blue Fern chipboard (I used a piece of the Chickenwire panel)
- Blue Fern words for the title (I used the "Dream Big" phrase from The Optimist set)
- Quote of your choice written by hand or printed on a piece of paper or cardstock
- Gesso

- 2 or 3 differents colors of Silks acrylic glazes
- Acrylic paint in a color that matches your Silks paints
- Black mist (mine is made with water and Memento ink)
- 1 or 2 mists matching your Silks paints
- Inka Gold paint in Gold and Silver, or any other gold or silver medium.
- Various embellishments (I used flowers and thread)

Instructions: 

First of all, I want to apologize for the ugly background. I was working on my kitchen table and had to use some flyers to protect my table. I hope the bright colors --and the chicken-- won't be too distracting! :)

1) First, glue your piece of chipboard to the canvas.

2) Apply gesso with the sponge all over the canvas and the chipboard. Dry with the heat gun to create texture and bubbles. Wait until it is completely dry before moving on to step 3.

3) Apply acrylic paint with the sponge. As you can see, I used a very light shade of teal. You can use a darker color if you want. Dry with the heat gun if you wish to speed up the process. Wait until it is completely dry before moving on to step 4.

4) Using your paint brush, dab touches of your first Silks color all over the canvas. Don't let the color dry.

5) Do the same with the second color. Ensure the colors overlap. Then proceed with the third color if you use one. -- I'm sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the finished background with the third color. :) -- Once you are done, dry with the heat gun if you wish to speed up the process. Wait until it is completely dry before moving on to step 6.

6) Spray black mist all over your canvas.

7) Immediately after spraying the black mist, use some paper towels to wipe most of it, as if you were dabbing some paint on the canvas. However, try to leave as much black as possible in the creases to add dimension to your project. Add more mist if needed. Once you are done, dry with the heat gun if you wish to speed up the process. Wait until it is completely dry before moving on to step 8.

8) Spray the other mists all over your canvas. Dry with the heat gun if you wish to speed up the process. Wait until it is completely dry before moving on to step 9.


9) Apply both colors of Inka Gold with your finger on the chipboard. If your Inka Gold is dried out, like mine, just dip your finger in water. This will dilute the Inka Gold and you will be able to add color.

10) Use the black mist to color your title. Add a touch of Inka Gold to it. Glue the quote, the title and the embellishments on the canvas. Stamp some details with your stamps and black ink around the canvas.

Here's the end result:

And some close-up views: