How To Layer Mixed Media To Get Texture & Depth

In this video I share with you how I layer materials to get texture and depth. I also share if I think you should be using archival lightfast materials in your sketchbooks. Supplies used and mentioned are listed below with links.

SUPPLIES:
*FABER CASTELL WATERCOLOR MARKERS:

*PENTEL OIL PASTELS:

*NEOCOLOR 2 WAX PASTELS:

*TOMBOW MARKER:

*ECOLINE MARKERS:

*FABER CASTEL PITT MARKERS:

*DERWENT DRAWING PENCILS:

*LUMINACE PENCILS

*DERWENT LIGHTFAST COLOR PENCILS:

*PRISMACOLOR COLOR PENCILS:

*NEOPASTELS:

*GELATOS:

*HOLBEIN GOUACHE:

*WINSOR & NEWTON GOUACHE:

*MONTANA MARKERS:

ART TOOLKIT PALETTE:

*The links (*) above are affiliate links - it doesn't cost you anything more to purchase when you go to these links - they just help me make these videos!

[melissaamyx]

I seriously needed a good dose of Sandi and her positivity today! I had to say goodbye to one of my horses today. He was 30... your video is just what my poor aching heart needed! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for how hard you work to help us crazy artists! You have completely changed my art journey to one of playful joy!

[Blick_Art]

That's funny, we have been super focused on sequence of application in mixed media lately, so we're very glad you posted this! We like the reasonable attitude toward lightfastness and sketchbooks- duration of exposure to light is what it's all about, and each sketchbook page realistically won't be exposed for more than a few minutes. Lightfastness is something that every artist needs to understand, though, so we're glad you mentioned it. For presentation pieces, especially ones for sale, it's really important to consider permanence, but in the sketchbook, we think it's a good idea to just use what you want, try things out and not worry about making art "for the ages". Thanks for sharing more details about your materials and process!

[christinefisher]

All that you do is filled with authenticity, generosity, and kindness! I love your substack videos, blog, and pictures! Thanks for giving so much of yourself, Sandi! Blessings!

[drawsomenow]

Thanks Sandi, I love Substack, I am using it to record all the great artists I find, courses/workshops I do or want to do and new materials. That way I don't have to remember to share the good stuff with my community. I love the tip about using kids supplies, when I came back to my art practice I bought big bottles of cheap poster paint and flattened all the cardboxes I could find and just WENT FOR IT, it is the best way I have found to make art with as little judgement as possible. Same actually with my sketchbook practice, you have influenced the way I see my sketchbook and I have finally finished one huge one that I think I have had over 25 years! There are pages of swatching and colour mixing, "good" works and scribbles with my paint sticks, thanks for that tip, I LOVE THEM. Thank you for your work.

[robincrawford]

Okay, call me addicted to any Sandi content, even though my art is nothing like yours. Love Substack, but haven't figured out how to go beyond the couple of feeds I subscribed to. Keep up please, because it is so nice to have a friendly voice after a stressful day at work. As for the archival police, they clearly have nothing better to do with their time. For me the best part of all your sketchbook tours is the reminder that it's okay to only like parts of a sketch and to carry them forward into the next one. You are a great art teacher! ❤️❤️❤️

[sararhodes]

I only recently got into Tombow markers as a result of your vlogs and I’m really enjoying them. I’m certainly not worried about the lightfastness of my supplies but I can understand why you would need to consider it if you’re turning your sketchbooks into actual books. I am also loving Substack as a platform. I love the short videos and blog style writing that you do there too. Thank you for so generously sharing all this content 😊

[WendiWells]

Hi Sandi! This is such a great video! Over the years, I have also been through a similar process of evaluating my supplies and rethinking how I use archival and non-archival media. This was so helpful, I really appreciate you taking the time to record and edit, and put this out into the world! Currently, I am experimenting with smooshing and spreading archival water soluble media (Neocolor 2 and Museum Aquarelle) with a Tombow blending pen instead of a water brush for faster drying time. I’ve also found that water soluble media (Museum Aquarelle, Inktense, and Neocolor 2) will lay down a nice amount of pigment on wet and/or damp paper. So, I’ve switched out some of my Luminance pencils for their matching Museum Aquarelle counterparts, and am experimenting with how I like to layer with them both wet and dry.

[MelanieBeilner]

This was really helpful! I'm still using acrylic paint as my base but I can see why a more transparent medium as a base helps build up layers. Thanks for everything Sandi! I've learned so much from you and I love your art. Can't wait for your published sketchbooks! I'll be your first customer!

[sandymileski]

Hi Sandi thank you so much for this great video of your method of layering and the order in which you use your supplies. In the past I only pencil sketched ideas for paintings, but now I sketch in them with total freedom using all my supplies. I used to get so tensed up sketching or painting on canvas but now I’ve given myself permission to be loose and if I don’t like something I can paint over it and start again. You’re an inspiration to me and to all who watch your videos. Thank s again. P.S. I love your earrings!!!!

[hansendesigns]

More people need to talk about lightfastness just like you. That way everyone can make an educated decision as to what they’re using.

[tradingpostfarms]

I love that some of your final thoughts are to use what you have even kids supplies. I've been a sketch artist for many many years. It's was during the pandemic when I found color, and I've never looked back. But I'm a single who had to stay home and teach my kids. I was living on a very small savings and so new expensive art supploes were out of the question. I learned to love color with kids art supplies. Of course I went back to work and I could eventually afford better materials. But those cheap kids art supplies kept me creating for many months.

[sarabengtsson]

The watercolor markers should be stored horizontally. Try to put the ones that had dried out or had a too light color with the tip down over night or longer, that worked for me. Both the pitt artist pens and the watercolor marker can get a gradient if you dip the tip in water and then paint (according to Faber-Castell). You can of course use the waterbrush on the painting of the watercolor markers, it looks just like watercolor. If you haven't already, do your own lightfastness test on the pens and every material you don't know how good they are. I tested gouache stick (like the gelatos) for a year in my window and just one pink color had faded. Good luck.

[verenachichi]

Hi Sandi, thank you. Your ideas of how to paint and feel free to paint what we see, what we can use from this world is wonderful. Thank you!

[scoanime]

It's always fun to watch your process as you work. And I love seeing all the versions of one scene and how they each are a little different

[LindaAKeller]

It Is October 3, 2023. Just found you yesterday and have binged on at least 5 of your videos. As someone who has mostly done b/w drawings plus printmaking, seeing your gentle way of applying layers has been a gift. Thank you. A goal for this week is to buy a journal and new supplies.
I was about to subscribe to Substack, and you are one more reason to do so. Your sense of delight, your humanity, your open vulnerability plus your artistic talent, willingness to explore, and years of experience lift my spirits and encourage me to get to work. I am hoping you will read this.
A QUESTION: I love using paper. Do you have thoughts to share about framing without spending a fortune? I already search Goodwill, Savers and other thrift shops.
Thank you again. Linda Keller

[corncobpipe]

Loving your Substack (and it's free, y'all!)!!! I love the informal atmosphere, the chatty videos, the photos, and the FREQUENCY (Whoo hoo!) of the posts!!! So glad you found that platform!! 👍💖

[Alice_in_artsupply_hoarderland]

Yeey, finally a new great video 😃 But man, I have already been putting some of those winsor and newton markers in my basket 🙈 I love that you share the layering process. I keep trying to loosen up, but it still blows my mind how hard it actually is. And I love that you shared a glimpse of Cooper.
I really miss seeing him in your videos! He is so adorable ❤️ Lot of hugs to you, and I'm already on a two weeks countdown

[maisycakes]

Just....Thankyou for your never ending generosity ....you are a treasure ❤

[genevievegagnon]

I just discover your videos few weeks ago and I love them. Wow. I just like you! Your speach, your voice but also your attitude and mostly your art. You truly inspire me. Keep up the good work and thanks again!

[ellengoodloe]

Yes, I love the sub stack!! Easy to find all the material, emails that tell you when something posts. No ads, no other distracting stuff. Great video, as always.