I truly appreciate the unexpected joys that come from experimenting with different art forms. For many years, creating mixed media art has been a rewarding part of my life. I typically concentrate on collage methods and acrylics, or sometimes gouache, to form vibrant base images. Following that, I sketch an imaginative illustration that fits seamlessly with the background. Today’s focus will be on using a photo to draft the initial line drawing, which we will use to identify distinct color areas. I’ll guide you through the process of isolating layers for applying clipping masks, which I use to introduce textures and patterns to my work.

While it can be a time-consuming endeavor, the satisfaction that comes from this creative process is unmatched. So, how can we adapt this artistic approach to the digital world?

In this class, Mixed Media Textured Floral with Gold, I will share my method for creating digital mixed-media art. You will learn to use mixed-media brushes to build layered, intricately detailed illustrations. Together, we’ll go through a clear step-by-step process to create a complete mixed media piece, which will include a beautiful gold foil outline that adds an elegant decorative element.

The artwork we create will be fully adjustable, giving you the freedom to tailor it to your personal artistic style. One of my main goals is to demonstrate how to turn a photo into a lively, detailed illustration. To further enhance our final piece, we will revisit the original photo to emphasize the flower, providing that extra splash of vibrancy. I will also share a variety of resources to ease your creative journey, including brushes, a mixed media background for your own use, and butterfly brushes if you would like to skip the sketching process.

In this class, I'll walk you through:

• my systematic approach to digital mixed media
• tips for designing compositions that showcase a rich layered aesthetic
• my process for handling layers, clipping masks, and blend modes effectively
• techniques for adjusting colors and using features like warp
• adding a gold foil accent outline to elevate your artwork
• strategies to keep your artwork fully editable for future adjustments and recoloring