Chris Cozen - Acrylic Solutions. Exploring Mixed Media Layer by Layer

North Light Books

Cincinnati, Ohio

artistsnetwork.com

FRAGMENTS

Mixed Media on canvas, 30 30 (76cm 76cm), Julie Prichard

AFTER THE RAIN

Mixed Media on canvas, 18 18 (46cm 46cm), Chris Cozen

UNTITLED YELLOW

Mixed media on canvas, 24 x 24" (61cm 61cm), Julie Prichard

I like looking into a painting for a long time, to study it and see what I can find. The mystery of what I will uncover keeps me coming back for more. Looking for pieces and clues about what might be under the layers is exciting and it totally defines my painting style.

My training as a photographer provided my introduction to layering. Having the understanding that layers can be added and removed, or they can be added top to bottom or vice versa, is just as important in painting as it is in photography. Layering also helps break down the daunting feeling of making a mixed-media painting. Work on it one step at a time, knowing that one step is not in itself final but subject to whim. When teaching painting workshops, Chris and I stress that no painting is finished until you feel it is, in fact, finished.

I have a background in science. Knowing how things work is important to my methodology. I have learned about paints, mediums and grounds to understand how I can make them work for me, and throughout this book I share this knowledge with you. From this knowledge, we have compiled our favorite techniques.

When you mix and match techniques, you can achieve countless variations and looks. I hope you enjoy learning from this book and expanding your painting repertoire.

PHASES

Mixed media on canvas, 24" 24" (61cm 61cm), Chris Cozen

There is something completely captivating about mixed media. The freedom and serendipity of the art form allows me to get lost in the process, easily shifting between paint and paper, adding collage, line and texture. Mixed media never feels rote or formulaic. In the beginning, I used to try to keep track of the number of layers that went into my pieces, but I dont anymore. The goal for me as an artist is to create work that seamlessly transitions between layers, so that the whole piece reads fully and completely. I have found that many layers make for the most interesting pieces. I often take works off walls and add more layers to them months after I thought I was done!

Writing this book has only reinforced my commitment to mixed media. Where else in the art world can you use such diversity of materials and develop such a range of outcomes?

Although we have structured this book to demonstrate how one creates mixed media art in layers, keep in mind that there are no hard-and-fast rules here. Jump back and forth through these techniques at your will. Mix it up, repeat or add layers. We stopped because we ran out of pages, but you can keep going. We hope you enjoy the process.

We want you to own this book!

Sure, that means its great if you buy it and put it on your shelf, but we want you to really make it your own. We hope you write in the margins, turn down the corners of pages and make notes and addendums to our techniques. Consider these pages as a set of blueprints prepared for constructing layered and complex mixed-media artwork. We have given you step-by-step techniques for implementing your plans and plenty of supportive material to guide you in your understanding of color and design, as well as for selecting appropriate art supplies.

We chose to show you our work as it develops, throughout the pages. You will follow two very different paintings from preparation to completion. We felt that if you could see for yourself the transformations, both dramatic and subtle, it would be helpful as you create your own art. On top of that, we have filled the book with loads of our own work as examples of the techniques that we use and love.

Our goal for you is that you take the information we share and the techniques we demonstrate and use it all to create your own unique multilayered art. Once you have mastered the techniques we have shared, we encourage you to mix it up and pull techniques presented in one layer into various other layers of your work. Then you will really own the book!

We have broken down the layers in this way:

Laying a Good Foundation: Proper surface preparation techniques along with variations to create visual interest even at the gesso level.

Building structure: Support the composition through collage, texture, color, mark-making and image development.

Developing complexity: Make unique and nuanced adjustments with collage, mono-printing, paint techniques, textural and sheer elements, paint skins and pattern.

Finessing the details: Create finishing touches that may involve line, surface treatments, spray paint and special effect paint applications.

As you begin, select one or more techniques from each section of the book to develop your own composition. At first you might start with a simple gessoed canvas or board and move directly on to apply color or collage. As you gain experience and confidence, we encourage you to try several techniques from each section as you build up your layers. Once you start working with layers, you will see how you can borrow ideas and techniques presented in one section to apply at another level in your painting. Remember, with mixed media you have tremendous freedom and flexibility to develop your composition as you choose, all the while adjusting and modifying as you apply layers. Have fun and make this book yours.

For more from Julie Prichard and Chris Cozen, sign up and download bonus materials at artistsnetwork.com/acrylic-solutions.

A VIEW OF THE KINGDOM

Mixed media on canvas, 20" 20" (51cm 51cm), Chris Cozen

FRAGMENTS

Mixed media on canvas, 36" 36" (91cm 91cm), Chris Cozen

When we gaze upon a piece of art we find ourselves either captivated or bored, or somewhere in between. What makes the difference? What holds our attention? Part of what engages us is subjective: taste, style, color preferences, subject, etc. The rest comes from the artists understanding of how things work. How can we learn to hold a viewers attention? Which colors calm and which colors excite? Why use tube paint instead of fluids?