"Acrylic Solutions" Book Review + Giveaway!

A "Must Have" for Your Mixed Media Art Library

I am a Chris Cozen and Julie Prichard devotée, having taken most of their online workshops over at The Land of Lost Luggage. They are wonderful mixed media art teachers, tireless in their pursuit of sharing valuable information and demonstrating techniques through video with voice over. Their book, "acrylic solutions: exploring mixed media layer by layer", is the perfect complement to their classes.

I spent a delightful day pouring over this book, soaking up the colourful images, practical information and painting techniques. "acrylic solutions" is ideal for artists just embarking on their painting journey and for mid to advanced artists looking for ways to add more complexity to their work.

I love that the book itself is written in layers, from preparing the surface of your support to varnishing the final piece. We follow Chris and Julie as they each go through the process of creating a painting. Useful tips are highlighted throughout the pages and there are LOTS of high quality pictures, including demonstrations, finished pieces and detail shots.

You are encouraged to "own this book" starting with developing your own composition, using one or more techniques from each section. This will inspire you to explore further by using several techniques from each section of the book, creating your own unique piece of multi-layered art. I can't wait to take this fabulous book into the studio and start painting!

I heartily recommend "acrylic solutions" to everyone who wants to create mixed media art.

I am also thrilled to tell you that I was a contributor! You will find one of my favourite paintings, "Altered Perception", in a small grouping of artists' mixed media work at the end of the book.

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AND NOW... THE GIVEAWAY DETAILS!
Julie and Chris have very generously given me a signed copy of "acrylic solutions" to give away here on my blog. For your chance to win this fabulous book, leave a comment on this post, along with your email address by the end of day, Thursday, May 23rd. The lucky winner will be drawn and their name announced on my blog and FB page on Friday, May 24th. Good luck to all!

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paintings inspired by Chris and Julie's online workshops

 A quick overview of "acrylic solutions":

the basics
design, colour, materials and more
- the elements of art: line, space, value, colour, shape and texture
- materials, tools and supplies: limited paint palette for colour mixing; brushes, sponges, palette knives, stencils and mark making tools; acrylic mediums for extending working time and colour; gels and pastes for creating texture
- a simplified overview on how acrylics work, including paint formulations; the difference between fluid and heavy-body; earth vs lab pigments
- colour wheel, mixing colour, making glazes, understanding what colours work well together

laying a good foundation
prepping your substrate: canvas, paper and wood
gesso, collage, cardboard

adding structure
"the framework upon which you hang every other technique"
- texture, mark making, collage, colour, imagery
- how products behave: great chart explaining the properties of textural products
- crackle paste [my favourite]
- creating raised, layered stencil patterns
- different techniques for laying in colour
- using line as structure to draw the eye; understanding the emotion and mood line invokes
- image as structure: collage transfers, collage

developing complexity
"create mixed media compositions that are visually compelling and exciting"
- simplified drawing, mark making, mono printing; painted lines, blocks and design; sheer collage elements, paint skins, patterns with stencils, glazing, shading
- it's all in a glaze: great chart of glaze formulas for grit, grime, rust and patina
- fine tuning with colour
- developing contrast and dimension

finessing the details
"this is your opportunity to correct and refine your composition"
- a list of great critique questions to ask yourself as you develop your piece
- finishing touches: rubber stamps, ink, pens & sticks, oil crayons & pastels, charcoal pencils
- painting a surface to draw on with an acrylic ground, paste or medium
- using colour as detail
- special effects with metallic and interference paints
- a page of sample mixes and examples
- using acrylic spray paint with stencils

Words from Julie and Chris:

Julie: "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."

Chris: "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?"

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