Arlo and Ruby Mixed Media Portrait -by Cristin

Hello all!

For this week's project I started working on a couple portrait of my friends, Arlo and Ruby.

This isn't just any portrait though, I wanted to create them in my own little character style, so I started with some rough sketches using some of their qualities. They are both unique, so it was pretty easy to pick out some great qualities to highlight.

From there, I used watercolors to add the first wash of colors.

Then, I picked three Artistcellar stencils - Cathedral Plans: Reims Plan, Blocks: Tiles, and Labyrinth: Crete. I used modeling paste and a palette knife to create incredible texture with the stencils. In fact, this has to be my absolute favorite way to use Artistcellar stencils - as background and texture elements to my paintings.

Once dry, I added even more watercolor - and watching it travel between the raised modeling paste really makes my soul sing.

To incorporate even more color I started incorporating acrylic paint into the portraits and the flowers.

From here, another one of my favorite techniques is to put down some watercolor on top of dried acrylic (you can see this in the flowers) then I spritz it with water and let it run and melt on the page. To me, this is relinquishing control... and I think that is an important and fun practice to integrate into my art.

So, to finish it all off I added some white highlights with a uniball signo UM-153.

I can't wait to send it to them. I hope they love it!

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