An Easy Mixed Media Exercise

Hello!

In this post we’re exploring how to enjoy mixed media sketching without a big setup or loads of materials. Why? So that mixed media can become a more regular part of your sketchbook practice!

Mixed media can be a LOT of fun once you’re in the swing of experimenting, but when you’re starting out, all those options can feel a bit overwhelming.

So in this post & the video above, I’m sharing a sketchbook exercise to try out, along side the material combinations I return to all the time that are quick to set up, easy to pack away, and help spark curiosity without having too much to think about. They’re also really portable, whether you’re sketching outside or moving around different spots at home.

Before we dive in, let’s chat about combining materials (ways to pick them, and why!)

First things first, I really believe you have to experiment and throw things together to figure out what you like. There are no rules here, and maybe a material combination that’s usually deemed a mistake, really excites you! There are no materials police in this blog, so please do combine everything and anything and see what happens.

That being said, if you have no idea where to start and just want somewhere to begin, this is what I like to think about…

CONTRAST!

If I only have 3 materials, what’s going to give me the most variety with texture?

If I have one soft smooth dry texture, I’ll want another that is watery or rough or scratchy. If there’s one media thats easy to control, I’ll pair it with something wild and messy. Having different qualities of materials always lights me up so that’s how I pick my combinations!

OPACITY!

It’s also handy to pick something that will sit on top of some media (opaque) and have something else that might mix in or be more transparent to layer up.

VALUE!

It’s always good to have a really dark material and a really light one to give us good value contrast. If you’re doing the exercise below, grab a dark, a mid and a light value - factor that into the media you pick.

Right, next step is to figure out what these things can do. Pick 3 materials and see what happens when you…

• mix them together at the same time

• change the order of layers

• use one media with water

• change tools

• scratch into or away

This is a really simple exercise, to work from a photo mapping out the values we see in the reference. What makes it fun? Bringing in all our mixed media layering experimentation! Bring all of that playful feeling to this sketch as you map the darks to lights (or lights to darks) on the page.

1. Pop in the darkest areas & shapes you can see in the reference

2. Then bring in the mid tones

3. Then the lightest areas

When you’ve done this first layer, go grab a cup of tea, have a break, and when you’re ready, come back with an additional 3 new materials.

Keep to the same colours but ask yourself; what’s missing in the sketch? This will help you choose the final 3 media to add.

Would you like some parts to be more defined, with some detail or sharp lines? (maybe you need a pencil). Would you like some areas to be even darker? (maybe something quite opaque). Would you like it to be less controlled? (maybe ink or water colour or another fluid media).

And that’s it!

There’s no right or wrong when it comes top mixed media, especially if it’s just for sketchbook play and process, I wouldn’t worry about longevity/archival quality. Just have fun, see what YOU like - what feels good to use, what fits your space, what makes you want to come back to the page.

If you give this a go it’d be lovely to see what you create; you can tag me on instagram @ orlastevens on in a note here on Substack to share. All the best, happy sketching, and as always I’ll

Orla