Colored Pencil + Mixed Media - Intro to Materials and Techniques

Summary

In this mixed-media workshop, Sarah Bechtel introduces a variety of materials and techniques for combining colored pencils with acrylics, watercolors, and ink pens. She demonstrates how to build layers of colored pencil on mixed-media paper and board, using transparent washes of acrylic to enhance color saturation without covering texture. Sarah explores watercolor for creating soft, blended effects like clouds and fog, and discusses ink techniques such as hatching and cross-hatching for shading. Through practical demonstrations, she guides users on refining their artwork by alternating between dry and wet media, allowing for rich, textured, and dynamic compositions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sarah Bechtel recommends using high-quality, artist-grade colored pencils for mixed-media work, mentioning brands like Prismacolor, Karen Dürer, Derwent, and Faber-Castell.
• 😀 Strathmore 500 series mixed-media board is favored for its 100% cotton texture, which works well for building layers of colored pencil without buckling or warping when wet media is added.
• 😀 For beginners, Strathmore 400 series mixed-media paper is a good practice surface, with its lightly textured vellum finish allowing easier use of materials before progressing to more textured surfaces.
• 😀 Synthetic round brushes, like Princeton Velvet Touch, are ideal for acrylic and watercolor work due to their sharp points and ability to hold fluid for delicate brushwork.
• 😀 Fluid acrylics, such as Golden Fluid and Golden High-Flow, are preferred for their transparent layers, allowing the colored pencil layers underneath to remain visible while adding depth and intensity.
• 😀 Watercolor offers the flexibility to rework and lift color, making it a good medium for creating atmospheric effects like fog or blending edges in a piece.
• 😀 Sarah recommends using a simple color palette for both acrylics and watercolors, starting with just the primary colors (red, yellow, blue) and white to create a broad range of mixes.
• 😀 When combining colored pencil with acrylic, it is crucial to apply the pencil in thin, light layers to avoid preventing the acrylic from adhering to the surface.
• 😀 Toning the mixed-media board with a wash of fluid acrylic creates a custom surface that is easier to work on than pure white, reducing stark contrasts and adding visual interest.
• 😀 Technical pens, like Sakura Micron and Derwent Graphic, are excellent for adding fine details to mixed-media pieces using hatching, contour hatching, and cross-hatching techniques to create texture and depth.

Q & A

Why is Strathmore 500 series mixed-media board recommended for this workshop?

Strathmore 500 series mixed-media board is 100% cotton with a medium-textured vellum finish. It is preferred for its ability to hold many layers of colored pencil without being too textured, allowing smooth gradations of color. Additionally, it is rigid and heavyweight, preventing warping when wet media is applied.

What is the main difference between Strathmore 400 series mixed-media paper and the 500 series board?

The 400 series mixed-media paper is 140-pound weight with a lightly textured vellum finish, making it smoother than the 500 series board. It is better for artists who prefer less texture and is recommended for practice before moving to the 500 series for finished artwork.

How does Sarah recommend using colored pencils on the mixed-media surfaces?

Sarah advises using small linear strokes in different directions to create smooth layers of color. She emphasizes building up layers slowly with a light touch to avoid a thick waxy buildup that could prevent acrylics from adhering properly.

Why does Sarah use a kneaded eraser when working with colored pencils?

A kneaded eraser is used to lighten graphite lines before applying colored pencil. This ensures that the graphite doesn't mix with the colored pencil and muddy the colors, leading to cleaner and more vibrant results.

What is the benefit of using fluid acrylics over regular acrylics in this workshop?

Fluid acrylics are easier to apply in thin, transparent layers, which is ideal for mixed-media work. They allow the underlying colored pencil texture to remain visible while deepening and intensifying the colors without creating a thick, plastic-like surface.

What should artists consider when choosing watercolor colors for mixed-media work?

Sarah suggests starting with basic primary colors (red, yellow, blue) and white, as these can be mixed to create a wide range of hues. Additional earth tones, like ochre, sienna, and umber, are useful depending on the subject matter.

What makes watercolor different from acrylic in terms of reworking?

Watercolor can be reworked, manipulated, or lifted off the paper after drying, which makes it versatile for blending and creating soft transitions. In contrast, acrylic paint becomes permanent once dry and cannot be reworked.

How does Sarah create custom backgrounds or surfaces for her mixed-media work?

Sarah applies a transparent wash of acrylic to tone the surface of her mixed-media board. She uses a large soft brush to ensure even application and may use a paint roller to smooth out any uneven areas, ensuring a uniform tone before starting her artwork.

What role do technical pens play in Sarah's mixed-media technique?

Technical pens, particularly waterproof pigmented ones like Sakura Micron and Derwent Graphic pens, are used for adding fine ink details. Sarah employs hatching, contour hatching, and cross-hatching techniques to create depth, shading, and texture in her drawings.

How does Sarah combine watercolor and colored pencil in her cloud illustration?

Sarah applies watercolor for the main color of the clouds and the sky, allowing soft blending of edges. After the watercolor dries, she layers colored pencil on top to add fine details and texture, enhancing the cloud shapes and adding depth to the sky.