Autumn Morning above Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, mixed media on Canson Moulin du Roy Not watercolour paper 300lb (640gsm), 22330in (56376cm). Having made a very useful observational drawing of the scene with colour notes and taken several photographs I completed this semi-abstract mixed-media painting using Royal Talens acrylic spray paints, watercolour, gouache, acrylic inks and soft pastel. I masked areas, one over the other and used spray paints to create contrasting areas of colour and edges over the base layers of wet-in-wet ink, watercolour and gouache layers. The thick watercolour paper was essential with so much diluted paint
When combining several different media in a painting there is the complex issue of what works best with what, and in what order, to avoid ‘mixed mess’ rather than mixed media! Hopefully the following guidelines will help you to achieve successful outcomes.