-When more than one medium is employed in a piece of
Visual Art Work.
(-Not to be confused with Multi Media (Which might combine music/ literature/ performance outside the realm of Visual Art.) Rauschenberg Harman Kahlo -Hmm What mediums can I use in mixed media piece? -You can use any type of traditional media Paints: (Oil. Acrylic, watercolor) Coloring sticks: (Crayons, colored pencils, oil pastels). Drawing media: Pencils, Ink, Charcoal Carla Nannini: Concentration # 12 -Or non drawing/ paint media: String/ thread Newspaper Photos and Magazines Digital art Tissue Wire Tinfoil Aesthetic Text What else?
Rauschenberg incorporated the Eagle Statue here. Why might he have made this aesthetic decision?
-There are other techniques we can employ too: Burn/ Rip pages Stamping/ or applying a print to to the page Incorporating tracings Collage (pasting cut out paper to make a new image) Decoupage (cover with decoupage glue of a glossy effect. Gel transfer: makes a photo appear faintly on the work.
What makes for good mixed media pieces?
-Work is well balanced: has thoughtfully balanced color/line/texture. Piece registers from a distance.
-Work has a focal point and purposefully directs the viewer around the composition.
-Artist seamlessly integrates the media. (No visual speed bumps.)
-Artist has technical command and confidence with the media employed. Tips:
Keep an archive of materials. Play with them! (This is the way of the mixed media artist) -Experiment Scientifically. (Keep track of your methods and start with three media at the most. Figure out one thing at a time and stick with what works.) -Go thin to fat. (washes, glazes and gel transfers are better for the background. Heavier materials like decoupaged tissue go on top.)
-Go Beyond the surface. (Pull the audience in using the principles of depth (warm colors come forward, cool recede. Relationships of size can be used as well) Heres where this artist started. -Questions: 1) What media do you think the artist used? 2) Does the artist have an understanding/ command of each media? 3)Are the media well integrated ? Do they work well together?
How does the image on the right compare with the last piece we saw in terms of integration? Which one has a stronger composition? (Consider balance, focus point and the path crafted for the viewers eye.) Which is the stronger mixed media piece? Take two minutes to discuss with a partner. Be prepared to defend your position. Personal Preference: Which Piece would you rather own? Artists finishing point
Special thanks to the 08/09 AP for the images. Fortune Cookie