Art Techniques - Starting with Letter A
Art Techniques Beginning with A
This page contains descriptions and pictures of mixed media art techniques beginning with the letter A. There are also links and video demonstrations, as well as a poll.
It is the first in a series of lens that will cover art techniques from A-Z. I'm involved with a group of creative women who are practicing and exploring techniques alphabetically. For every project, we make an Artist Trading Card (ATC) to swap, showcasing the technique of the month.
My lofty goal is to create lens for each letter of the alphabet.
This page explores altered books, altered art, art squared, various alcohol ink background techniques and painting with acrylic paints.
Unless otherwise stated, all photo credits are to June Campbell.
Take the "A - Art" Poll
Have you tried any of these techniques?
An Art Book You'll Love
Traci Bautista's most recent book. If you love her style this book has a place in your art library.
Alcohol Ink Smoosh Technique
Making Backgrounds
This technique uses alcohol inks to create a unique and unusual background. You must use glossy paper for this.
How to do it
Drop a few drops of Adirondack alcohol inks on a craft sheet. If you don't have a craft sheet, try using waxed paper or resist paper. Resist paper is non-stick paper that is used to back stickers and double sided tape, etc.
Use approximately three colors, plus a gold or other metallic color of alcohol ink. Drop a little blending solution on top.
Put your glossy paper, glossy side down, in the puddle of alcohol inks and blending solution. Smoosh it around. Do not "over-smoosh" or you will muddy the colors.
Use this as a background. I stamped over it with black dye ink, using a stamp by I'm Impressed, a Vancouver stamping store.
For a more elaborate design, check out this beauty at Sunflowers and Dragonflies.
Alcohol Ink Splatter Technique - Video by Tim Holtz
The great man himself shows how to do this background technique.
Art Squared - 4 by 4 Pieces of Art
What it is: Art Squared is a movement that encourages artists to create collectible small editions of artwork in a 4 by 4 size.
The art shown was created by me for a swap with the theme At the Movies. The movie I chose was Arsenic and Old Lace.
The collage contains old movie film, a ticket stub, feathers and collage images.
On the back, not shown, I added a card holder suitable for containing a gift card to a movie. I imagined that this project would be a great way to gift someone with a movie ticket.
Other "A" Art Techniques
This list of links will take you to other art techniques that begin with the letter A.
Others in this Series
- Art Techniques - B | Mixed Media Art
This page discusses mixed media art technique beginning with the letter B. You will find photos, descriptions, a video demonstration, links to additional techniques and a poll. - Art Techniques - C
This page discusses art techniques that begin with the letter C, including crackle, crochet, collage and many more. There are photos, descriptions, videos and links to other mixed media techniques. - Art Techniques Starting with the Letter D
This page discusses mixed media art techniques that begin with the alphabet letter D. Pictures and links are included. - Art Techniques | Beginning with the Letter E
This pages lists and describes an array of art and craft techniques that begin with the letter E. Read, view pictures, watch a video demonstration, visit related links on the web and vote in a poll.
- Acrylic Molding Paste with Pressed Objects Technique.
A technique for making backgrounds or embellishments using molding paste, textured objects and acrylic paint or other coloring agent. It's on Carol's Creative Expressions blog. - Acrylic Paint Technique on Gold Technique
Technique for making textured backgrounds using acrylic paint, acrylic glaze medium and gold cardstock. In the blog post below, when you reach the end of the first page you will need to click on Older Posts to see the complete article. - Adirondack(r) Color Wash Background
This video demonstrates one artist's version of of using Tim Holtz™ Adirondack® Color Wash™ on watercolor paper, then Stamping over with Stazon ink and Brilliance Ink. - Alcohol + Acrylic Backgrounds
Technique for using alcohol and acrylic paint to create special backgrounds - Aging Paper
Artists often look for ways to give paper and other products an aged look. This web page describes several ways of doing this. It explains how to make paper look old. - Painting With Acrylics
Acrylic paints are easy to use and ideal for all styles of painting, from realistic to expressive. Here you'll find helpful tips, essential techniques, and step-by-step demos on painting with acrylics for artists of all levels.
Assemblage Art - Thoughts on Assemblage and Art by Jay Brannon
Assemblage is an artistic process. In the visual arts, it consists of making a three-dimensional artistic composition from putting together found objects.
In this video, assemblage artist Jay Brannan explains what assemblage art means to him.
Photos of Mixed Media Art Starting with A
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Your Ideas
Do you know of other artsy techniques beginning with the letter A? Please share with us. Or leave a comment about your art.
© 2011 June Campbell
