Mixed-media Valentines Instructions

Preparation & Poetry 1. Make 4-6 black & white copies of a personal photo. The mixed-media valentines will be 3 x 4. Make sure copies are that size or smaller. 2. Cut chipboard, mat board, thick cardstock, or cereal boxes into 3 x 4 pieces. You will need the same quantity as your photos. 3. Use matte medium or diluted white glue to adhere each photo to its own chipboard piece. Do not overload your brush. Let each photo dry. 4. While your photos are drying, read through love poetry books to get inspired. Write down words you like. Look at your photos again. Write original phrases of love and friendship. Then, leave these words as is or use them to write a short poem or letter. You will incorporate the poem/letter/poetic phrases into your valentines. The words should complement your photos. 5. Follow the techniques below to create your valentines. Use a hair dryer or fan to dry each layer between applications. Thin chipboard will curl as you work. Do not worry. To flatten the valentines, place them under a stack of heavy books as you work or when finished. Mixed-media Collage Techniques* a. COLOR WASH Apply a color wash of diluted paint in a thin layer over all or parts of the surface. Consider highlighting important sections. b. SAND BACK Use sand paper to lightly sand back areas of the image. Consider blurring just the background or foreground sections. c. WRITE WORDS WITH MARKERS/PENS Use permanent markers or pens to write a poem/letter/poetic phrases on the surface. d. PRINTED/BORROWED WORDS Use matte medium to adhere cut out printed or borrowed/found words to the surface. e. TISSUE PAPER Tear colored tissue paper into geometric/abstract shapes. Use matte medium to apply tissue paper to the surface. Use one color or multiple colors. f. DOODLE AND DRAW Use permanent markers/pens/oil pastels to draw shapes, lines, squiggles, patterns, etc. on the surface. g. GLAZE Mix 1 part brown paint and 3 parts matte medium. Brush the glaze over the surface. Then, immediately wipe the surface with a paper towel/sponge. After the layer dries, consider adding another glaze with a different color. h. DRY BRUSH Put acrylic paint on a dry brush. Add paint to parts of the surface for a more opaque look. i. EMBROIDER & EMBELLISH Use a pencil to lightly draw equidistant dots in an abstract/geometric shape. Use an awl to punch holes in the dots. Thread a needle and embroider. Consider adding small beads or sequins. Sew or adhere with matte medium the following: lace, paper doilies, ribbons, decorative paper, or fabric remnants.

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Review your collages; check for unity, rhythm, balance, repetition, harmony and/or contrast. Add more elements where needed. Enjoy your mixed-media valentines. Give some to loved ones, frame them or incorporate them into other art/craft projects.

*Read Collage Lab: Experiments, Investigations, and Exploratory Projects by Bee Shay. #702.812 S538

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