My favorite supplies

Maybe you don't know where to start or what supplies you need? I encourage you to look around you and find equipment in your home (or those around you) that is no longer needed. I collected my children's tubes of gouache and brushes to start, some old magazines and a bottle of ink. As much as possible, I show you my favorite and tested tools.

Mixed techniques offer us an infinite palette of possibilities and great freedom, that's what makes them beautiful. Mixed techniques or mixed media consist of collages , instinctive writing, acrylic paint, pastel, inks, etc. Follow your inspiration of the moment, there are no rules!

Create your sanctuary

- A corner of the kitchen table is often the place where you start, but having your own space where you can let your work dry is ideal.

-- A palette or a simple white plate. Paper plates are also practical.

- An apron or a large t-shirt

Basic supplies

  • Your fingers!
  • Brushes and brushes, one or two are enough to start
  • A used plastic card or palette knives
  • White Gesso from LefrancBourgeois (made in France) which serves as an undercoat but also unifies the collages.
  • The matte acrylic medium from Liquitex which I use for my collages but which also increases the texture and transparency of my painting, allows for thicknesses.

Media

There is a wide choice, experiment and find the ones that suit you best.

  • Paintings
  • Sheets of thick paper 200 or 300 mg
  • Cardboard boxes, cereal boxes, packaging boxes

The paintings

The choice is very wide! Acrylic paints have a shiny, glossy appearance, while gouache is matte . Acrylic paint can be applied in layers thick enough to create interesting surface textures and once dry it does not move.

The gouache dries very quickly and you can resume your work endlessly. It offers very great finesse for details and you can obtain watercolor effects easily. But gouache is very vulnerable to water and splashes, so it must be varnished to protect it.

Acrylic paint hardens as it dries and becomes indelible; the gradients must therefore be done gradually. It is very durable and easy to use. Both techniques are dilutable with water and can be cleaned with water, making them easy to use.

  • Pébéo Studio Acrylic Paint
  • Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint (Liquitex manufactures its paints in France)
  • Gouache Himi

Inks

  • Liquitex acrylic inks
  • FaberCastell Pitt artist Pen markers

Pencils and pastels

  • Good quality oil pastels from Pentel or Neocolor
  • Stabilo Woody pencils which allow multiple uses are very practical.

Draw, sketch

Pencils

  • Pencils from HB to 6B
  • Watercolor colored pencils

Pens and markers

  • Black and white Posca markers, fine tips
  • Black Pitt Artist markers from FaberCastell

Print and stamp

Look around you and let your imagination guide you. Open your eyes wide, multiple resources await you!

  • Bubble plastic
  • Crumpled fabric
  • Textured wallpaper
  • Placemats
  • Feathers
  • Plants

Collages and transfers

  • Old magazines and old illustrated books, diaries, account books
  • A collection of paper in neutral and natural tones: Music scores, wrapping paper, gift wrap, paper napkins, newspapers,
  • Postcards, gift cards, vintage photos

Final touches

Matte or satin varnish from Liquitex