If you are just starting out in mixed media art, one of the products that you MUST buy is gesso. We do our very best here, at MixedMediaArt.net, to buy as little as possible and try to create our art with what we already have around us but gesso is the ONE thing I definitely recommend worth investing in.

Gesso is a chalk based paint with many uses. It is used by artists to create a good foundation for painting on. But over the years, mixed media artists have found many other uses and we love to showcase the many uses our talented artists have discovered.

To read more about using gesso in mixed media art, come and read about Creating Layers with GessoPublish

Debbie Ward, from Lucky Girls Paper Arts, has identified herself as a frugal artist. She recently realised that continually buying new scrapbooking papers and ephemera doesn't always make her more creative. By going through the supplies she already has accumulated and purchased over the many years Debbie have been crafting, it provides an opportunity to "make do" and create lovely cards.

Whether its paper you have stashed away, rubber art stamps you haven't used in a while or a pile of cardboard, turing your hand to craft recycling can help to focus your attention. It also goes a long way to creating real value by using what you already have. It also makes is much easier to use materials you already have, rather than trying to find a new home for it!

Come and read more to determine is you are becoming a Frugal Artist

The very clever Francesca Albini spends many hours doodling; while watching television, talking on the phone or writing notes. If there is a pen or marker lying around, doodles are being created.

But she hates throwing them out.

She has figured out ways to transformed those hours of doodling into mixed media collages and art journal layouts. There are the usual methods to be used in mixed media with cutting and gluing. Then Francesca has explored ways to scan her doodles into her computer and use them digitally as well.

Come and read more about What to do with Doodles

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Continuing with our "Creating layers" theme, today we look at adding dry-brushed gesso to our mixed media artwork.

Come over and visit us at Mixed Media Art.

Happy creating!

P.S. You can also chat with us in our Facebook Forum
http://www.facebook.com/CreatingMixedMediaArt

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Getting started with Mixed Media Art collages and painting can often feel a little overwhelming.

Understanding these three simple mixed media art techniques; blended washes, credit card painting and using your own stencils, allows you to get started on your art journal background or layers into your mixed media canvas.

Happy painting!

Mixed Media Arts team

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We are very excited to invite you to the repeat performance of our
Mixed Media Art Techniques webinar, aimed at our European and
African community.

Michelle, creator of Mixed Media Art, has put together a great
introduction to creating your own art journal, highlighting the techniques we use
and including the new vintage ephemera, which you will be able to download and use in your own work.

 ** Please make sure to check the time settings and register in your timezone **
 ~ we don't want anyone to miss it!

Thursday, July 21, 2011
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM Australian Eastern / AEST
 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM London Time / BST
10:00 AM - 10:30AM France Time / CEST
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM South African SAST

For more details regarding what is a webinar and what to expect on the day,
 visit Mixed Media Art - What is a Webinar?

Hope to see you there,
Michelle and the Mixed Media Art team

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Looking for inspiration or to increase your Mixed Media Art skills?

Mixed Media Art Techniques is offering you the best of both:
- basic techniques you will use every day
- project ideas
- step-by-step instructions
- coloured photos
- available for immediate download

Come over and see our range - buy the bundle or pick and choose!

Mixed Media Art Techniques
www.MixedMediaArtTechniques.com

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Join us for a Webinar on June 29

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/831480662

We are very excited to invite you to the long-awaited release of our
Mixed Media Art Technique sheets.

As well as giving you a special peek into our technique sheets, Michelle Brown,
creator of Mixed Media Art, will talk about how to create your own art journal,
using the techniques we share and some brand spanking new vintage ephemera.

All webinar attendees will be eligible for a very special offer of our unique Australian
vintage ephemera, so please do make sure to register for this first-ever webinar to
take advantage of that offer.  Honestly, the offer is only open to those on the webinar,
so please don’t miss out!

To register for the webinar and image sheet, simply follow the instructions below and
click on the webinar link as indicated.  

You may receive some followup email reminders of the event.  All our emails to you
contain the link to give you access to the webinar.

On the day, simply turn on your computer, click on the GoToWebinar link in the email reminder,
follow the prompts, and you will join the audience.  All from the comfort of your own home.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/831480662

See you there,
Michelle and the Mixed Media Art team

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Mixed Media Arts draws together people for all around the world and over the last few weeks we have been featuring some of our artists and their work.

This gorgeous shoes canvas was created by Eileen Murray, from British Columbia. You can read more about her here.

Happy creating!
Michelle and the Mixed Media Arts team

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Starting a new series this month on creating layers in your mixed media art painting and collages.

What is your favorite method of adding layers to your artwork? Come and join in our Facebook conversation...

Happy creating,
Mixed Media Art team