Mixed Media Mess {what to do when a painting goes wrong!}

Hi friends! This painting started out OK but soon was a frustrating mess. Instead of tossing a painting when it hits the hot mess stage why not persevere? After all you’ve got nothing to lose!

I had a reader ask about negative painting techniques and that is what I started to do here but struggled with the watercolors I used and realized that I did not pick the best supplies for that technique. Rather than force my paint and paper to do something it didn’t want I chose to let go of expectations and just play. Even grown up artists need to play and like I said, what have you got to lose? Grab those mixed media supplies you have been collection and give new life to a bummer of a painting!

Productpalooza! I must say it is strangely satisfying to grab those supplies that “I HAD to have” but rarely get used and give them a workout. If you are curious about any of the stuff I used on this piece I have linked them below. Affiliate links used.

• Fluid 8″x 8″ watercolor Easy Block #140 CP
• Viviva Colorsheet watercolors
• Sennelier La Petite Aquarelle watercolors 24 set (love these!)
• Prima watercolor confections “Pastel Dreams”
• Princeton Neptune #16 round brush
• Royal Aqualon brushRoyal Aqualon brush
• Distress Crayons
• Mungyo pearl watersoluble oil pastels
• Prima Watersoluble oil pastels
• White liquatex gesso
• Derwent coloursoft wax based pencils
• Stencils
• Metallic watercolors (Twinkling H2Os)
• Mermaid Markers *Finally on Amazon!

This was kinda crazy at times, I thought it might be fun to see how I get out of trouble in a painting LOL:) This painting took 45 minutes in real-time, you could probably do it faster if you set out to do a mixed media piece from the beginning. I wanted to share some info from viewers of this video on YouTube, I asked them about Prismacolor Pencils, they have been so cheap on Amazon lately and I was considering getting a set but I had heard the quality had gone downhill. I have, and love, prismacolors but mine are all older and I was thinking of replenishing my set. The results were hot and cold, I have 11 viewers say they recently bought Prismacolors and they were great and 5 said they were very disappointed and 2 people said they seemed less pigmented than the older versions. I am not sure what to think, but I wanted to pass that on to you and if you have recent Prismacolor pencils and want to let us know what you think leave a comment:)

I also wanted to mention that if you make a bad watercolor you can always cut it up and make bookmarks or gesso over it and use it for pastel, acrylics or oils too! There is no need to cry over a failed attempt, we succeed or we learn! Have a great night and til next time happy crafting!