Festival of Lights

mixed media

1.  As seen in mixed media painting Festival of Lights at the left,  the artist has created raised free form designs on the surface of the paint.  This was done with latex paint and a stir stick.  Lay the painting flat.  Once the stick has been stirred around in the latex paint and has become laden with paint,  it is held above the canvas to let the paint run off the stick onto the panting.  Moving the stick in different directions,  moving it slowly,  more quickly.......shake it.....all create different effects.  Experiment first on an old board or sheet to see what effects you get.

2.  Allow the paint to dry as it sits, keeping the canvas flat.  The  patterns  will be slightly raised.  Once dry they can be accentuated using a fairly dry brush,  lightly brushed over the raised surfaces in contrasting colors.

3.  For  a different paint effect,  apply washes (or glazes) of color over  
an entire area.  While the wash is still wet, carefully wipe paint off the raised surfaces,  leaving the color in the depressed areas.