Mixed Media, Mixed Results

5:57 AM

Watercolor on Tissue paper with Ink
Handbook Watercolor Journal
3.5" x 8.5"
I recently saw an article on using spray adhesive to attach a piece of tissue paper to the page, over a sketched subject, where you then watercolored on top of the tissue paper. In the example I saw, the color diffused and the wrinkles in the paper added texture to the page.....

I didn't get that! If you enlarge the image above you can see there's not much in the way of wrinkles and the texture is mostly from the blotchy application of the watercolor on the tissue. The wall beside these two windows was heavily textured and it seemed this would be a great way to introduce some of that texture. Not.

If I try this again, I would definitely crumple up my paper for more texture, I would probably try it on a larger area as well as heavier paper so the water and color could disperse a bit more and I'd probably swap the pen for graphite. If I were to try this again......

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12 Creative Thought(s)

  1. Laure, A friend of mine used to do this all the time. I believe she used to really crumble the paper and also wet it and glued it to watercolor paper with with a white glue or acrylic medium. You might want to experiment with that method. I have seen some excellent results. Some artists also use mulberry paper instead of tissue paper.

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  2. I know what you mean about mixed results...I often wonder what I did wrong when I try something new!

    It still looks great, even though I know it's not close to what you expected. I just tell myself that it's ALL practice. ;)

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  3. A nice practice piece Laure. That tissue paper can be difficult to work with.

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  4. I do like the results. The subject matter makes a difference also and this was perfect for the trial.

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  5. I am amazed how many things you are finding to put in this sketch book. I don't see the texture since the picture doesnt enlarge much, but it looks great anyway.

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  6. I do a lot of this kind of work, Laure, and I find that if you use Mod Podge as an adhesive your tissue paper will dry with a crumpled look. It is difficult to draw over the wrinkles, however, and get good straight lines. Sometimes the paint and ink will bleed and so I Mod Podge the paper before I paint on it. You will have to play around with it to get the results you want.
    I like your windows anyway, wrinkled or not.

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  7. It sounds as if you've tried this and aren't sure it's worth trying again. It looks nice. I don't know how much it adds as its hard to really see texture in the photo. Fun choice to try it on though so the page is successful even if the experiment was not.

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  8. I play around with tissue paper too. What kind of glue did you use? I usually use matte medium but read somewhere that yes glue works too but leave a different effect to paint over. Fun idea!

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  9. hi Laurie, I use Masa Paper. Crumple it up dip it in water and saturate it , spread it gently out and glue to watercolor paper.. allow to dry overnight.. the next day you may have to flatten it out but it works beautifully esp with old things.. like quilts, crocks, nature and flowers too.. Just try not to erase or do so gently.. try it, and let me know what you think. love your blog, Diana www.dianamdaviswatercolor.blogspot.com

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  10. Thanks for the thoughts, Toni, I'll try it again.

    Thank you, Elizabeth, I think I often get too caught up in the end result rather than the process.

    Thanks, Lisa.

    Thank you, Cris, did you try clicking on the photo. Sometimes it will enlarge.

    Katie, I'll give that a try. Thank you!

    Thank you, TImaree. It's something different. Worth it? Yes. I've learned a few things. That makes it worth it.

    Jacqueline, it was a spray adhesive (Something called 77 spray?). I'll have to give it another go.

    Thanks for the info, Diana! I think I must have underestimated the process from the article I read. It didn't seem that involved. I'll give it another go! Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. Beautiful windows!
    It seems to me a difficult project
    but it can sometimes be useful! Thank you for sharing!

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  12. I'm really liking how you have captured the windows on this piece. It is a bit more pen work than I'm used to seeing from you, but it is very nice!

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