Portraiture has been popular through the centuries as a way of recording the appearance and personality of an individual. Mixed media portrait artists have taken this form of art and pushed it to a new level by using all kinds of tools, substrates and materials. Some may use only a combination of two different materials such as pastels and charcoals while others take full advantage of many different elements to bring their ideas to life.
People come to this art from through many different routes. Some of them have formal training in fine art whilst others are come through the craft route and may be self taught. What matters at the end of the day is the appeal of the art they create. The key to a great piece of art lies in the composition and bringing the disparate elements together harmoniously is difficult. One of the best ways to find out more about an artist is to examine his or her portfolio.
Many different techniques are used and a successful combination is often only discovered by a process of experimentation. There are those who add elements in layers to create the textures and dimensions they are looking for. There are others who create layers and then peel some away, sand, scratch or rub to reveal the different layers. Stenciling, weaving, sponging and stamping are some other techniques.
The substrates used vary widely too. Canvas, paper, wooden panels and even other materials not usually associated with art are used. One artist creates her own fabric paper by blending together paper, fabric, paint and glue. Another uses old wooden doors on which to paint his portraits.
So many tools are available today that can result in mesmerizing results. Playing with a laser printer or copy machine, for example, allows the artist to alter the original content by ripping, creasing, enlarging, reducing or overlapping. They do this to create a more graphic, dynamic type of composition. Pens, inks, charcoal, wax, gels, powders and more offer a diversity of tools for creative expression.
Working with many different elements gives an artist the opportunity to bring across ideas and feelings. Universal concepts such as alienation, searching for identity in a world of uncertainty and many others may be addressed. Layers and combinations of materials can help in expressing these ideas and the viewer is challenged to think about what they are seeing.
A three-dimensional effect is often created in these portraits by the layering of objects. Fabric, lace, newsprint and more may be used to give extra texture and dimension. Solid objects like keys, chains and buttons also help to create dimension. Many different types of fibers are used too and even hand-embroidery may be incorporated.
Unique portraits are created in this way that make valuable investments for any buyer. The artist working in this way is often able to break boundaries and stretch the imagination by using interesting combinations of techniques, tools and materials. In this way, new territory is won and artworks are produced that inspire and memorize us, giving a peak into what may be possible in the future.
People come to this art from through many different routes. Some of them have formal training in fine art whilst others are come through the craft route and may be self taught. What matters at the end of the day is the appeal of the art they create. The key to a great piece of art lies in the composition and bringing the disparate elements together harmoniously is difficult. One of the best ways to find out more about an artist is to examine his or her portfolio.
Many different techniques are used and a successful combination is often only discovered by a process of experimentation. There are those who add elements in layers to create the textures and dimensions they are looking for. There are others who create layers and then peel some away, sand, scratch or rub to reveal the different layers. Stenciling, weaving, sponging and stamping are some other techniques.
The substrates used vary widely too. Canvas, paper, wooden panels and even other materials not usually associated with art are used. One artist creates her own fabric paper by blending together paper, fabric, paint and glue. Another uses old wooden doors on which to paint his portraits.
So many tools are available today that can result in mesmerizing results. Playing with a laser printer or copy machine, for example, allows the artist to alter the original content by ripping, creasing, enlarging, reducing or overlapping. They do this to create a more graphic, dynamic type of composition. Pens, inks, charcoal, wax, gels, powders and more offer a diversity of tools for creative expression.
Working with many different elements gives an artist the opportunity to bring across ideas and feelings. Universal concepts such as alienation, searching for identity in a world of uncertainty and many others may be addressed. Layers and combinations of materials can help in expressing these ideas and the viewer is challenged to think about what they are seeing.
A three-dimensional effect is often created in these portraits by the layering of objects. Fabric, lace, newsprint and more may be used to give extra texture and dimension. Solid objects like keys, chains and buttons also help to create dimension. Many different types of fibers are used too and even hand-embroidery may be incorporated.
Unique portraits are created in this way that make valuable investments for any buyer. The artist working in this way is often able to break boundaries and stretch the imagination by using interesting combinations of techniques, tools and materials. In this way, new territory is won and artworks are produced that inspire and memorize us, giving a peak into what may be possible in the future.
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