Mixed media with Powertex

Mixed media art with Powertex Universal Medium is easy because it’s a product that does everything. It’s a fabric hardener, adhesive and paint all in one.

Add in Powertex mediums for deep texture or layer up embellishments and collage. You can get fantastic results. The products do so much of the work for you but there are some tips that can help you make the best of them. If Powertex is new to you, you can read more about it here.

Mixing media

If you’re using Powertex products you can be sure that they all work together without fear of layers peeling, flaking or degrading. Powertex is designed to be weatherproof, so it’s hard wearing. It’s also a strong adhesive so large or heavy embellishments are no problem and it works with lots of different materials.

When working on a canvas or board, add in Powertex mediums such as Easy Structure paste or 3d sand and balls for deep textures and include natural fibres such as cotton, raffia, cardboard and wood.

Try:

• Easy Structure paste
• Stone art clay
• Stone art powder
• 3d Sand
• 3d Balls in different sizes
• Easy 3d Flex or Rusty Powder for specialist effects

Tools of the trade

Using the right tools really helps when working with Powertex and mediums, especially if you’re working big. I recommend using plastic tools where possible. These  are easy to clean as the Powertex doesn’t stick to them.

Gather a collection of palette knives, cocktail sticks, kebab sticks, large paint brushes and decorators knives and scrapers to move your medium around. Make marks with cookie cutters, sticks and leaves as well as stencils and stamps. Just be sure to clean all your tools quickly.

Choosing embellishments

Almost anything will work with Powertex so you can experiment with large dimensional items. Plastic embellishments are unlikely to adhere well so choose natural fibres, paper, card, fabric, wood, cork, leather or even metal. Use your Powertex medium to create and alter your own pieces and then use the Powertex as glue to layer them up!

Using colour

Mixed media pieces work well with any colour of Powertex. Using a dark colour such as Black or Bronze makes the most of metallic and pearl pigments. If neutrals or bold colour is what you want, I suggest starting with Ivory. I also love using the Yellow Ochre or Terracotta Powertex for a warm glowing canvas.

Add colour as you would usually with Bister, both granules and sprays, with powder pigments and acrylics. Mix powder pigments with Transparent Powertex, Easy Varnish or mediums. Be bold and keep layering.

Composition

There are lots of resources online about composition, design and balance. It can feel a bit overwhelming. I prefer an off-balance design but if you have a feel for what looks right to you then go with that.

A good tip is to have a focal point on your canvas. You may want to choose an embellishment for the focal point before you start. Beginners can start with keeping the focus of their art in the centre until they build confidence.

Powertex mixed media art is very forgiving and playful so choose your materials and enjoy the process of mixing it up and experimenting with new combinations. If you’re new to Powertex and would like to know more I recommend you start here!