Mixed Media Panels

Today, I’m sharing some mixed media panels.  It all started with some long, skinny barn wood frames I found on sale at Hobby Lobby.  I loved them and thought they’d look great on my bedside tables.  I also found some 10″ x 20″ cradled wood panels that fit in them nicely!

I generally like crazy colors in my art, but for the bedroom I prefer it more neutral and calming – generally the colors already in that room, taupe, off-white, white, grey, and a touch of light blue.  Color palette – done.

To start things off, I gessoed the panels and let them dry.  Then, I applied some light modeling paste through the TCW Organic Matter stencil onto each panel.  I left this to dry for a few hours, then randomly sprayed it with Distress Spray Ink (Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky, Hickory Smoke, and Pumice Stone) and also some water.  I tilted the panels to let the colors run and bleed then left them to dry ovenight.  Here’s a picture of one of the panels at this point – you’ll notice how the modeling paste absorbed the ink.

Next step was to add some layers!  I smooshed on some white paint with my fingers.  Then I applied clear jesso through some stencils (TCW Tiny Circles and Tim Holtz Mixed Media #2) and let it dry.  Next up was some more paint – this time Dina Wakley paints (Umber, Elephant) and also some Dina Wakley Scribble Sticks (Sky, Peacock, Marine, Elephant, Umber).  Here’s what the panel looked like at this stage – and I’ll be honest, I thought I’d ruined it!  I was going for a light, creamy effect, and I’d just made mud.

Nothing that some more white paint can’t solve!  I used a palette knife and my fingers to add in some more white paint (I used Liquitex basic white paint, and also Golden Zinc White – which is pretty transparent).  I also applied white paint through the TCW Tiny Circles stencil in random areas.   At this point, I realized I’d lost some of the detail of the TCW Organic Matter Stencil, so I used a white POSCA paint pen and a damp paint brush to bring back the “valleys”.  I also used the Dina Wakley scribble sticks to add shadows, and color in areas.  The final step was to add some gold leaf.  I tried using my gold paint pen – but, it just didn’t look legit.  Had to use the leaf.  Then I went over everything with a light coat of Liquitex glossy varnish.

Here’s a look at the final stage of this panel – I’m really happy with the overall light feeling, and the texture!

Here’s a side-by-side look at this panel in its various stages:

Here are some close-ups of the details on both of the panels:

And, here’s a look at the panels in their frames and on the bedside tables!

Supplies:

• Surface: Cradled wood panel 10″ x 20″
• Stencils:  TCW Organic Matter, TCW Tiny Circles, Tim Holtz Mixed Meda #2
• Mediums:  Liquitex Gesso; Dina Wakley Clear Gesso, Liquitex Gloss Varnish
• Color
  • Paint: Dina Wakley paint and scribble sticks (Sky, Peacock, Marine, Elephant, Umber); Liquitex Basics White; Golden Zinc White, POSCA paint pens
  • Ink: Distress Spray Stain (Weathered Wood, Stormy Sky, Hickory Smoke, and Pumice Stone)
• Other: Gold leaf/sizing