Creative Illustration Workshop for Mixed-Media Artists

(RAY)

Job:06-19651 Title:RP-Creative Illustration Workshop

07-C57300 #175 Dtp:204 Page:72

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Creative illustration workshop



(Text)

p    i     T i 

    i

hoose your preferred surface, either heavy paper, wood,

or canvas. ou might also want to gather pastels, collage

scrap, adhesive, and a pair of scissors. ou also need

the following

 ne or multiple painting surfaces more on this

in next steps

 White or black gesso

 crylic paint and any materials you choose

step 

hoose a working surface that can withstand multiple

layers of paint and possibly rough handling. I suggest a

heavy  or  lb  or  gsm watercolor paper

or a wood surface such as a pine board. Feel free to work

on a larger surface such as a stretched canvas, as it is

very physical to work on large surfaces. ote In this

demonstration, I am working on inch . cm  lb

 gsm paper.

tart by laying a “ground” on your surface. This can be

white or black gesso or it can simply be a solid paint color

of any kind. ote I work with acrylic, which dries much

faster than oil, and for this exercise will allow you to speed

up the intervals between steps.

(RAY)

Job:06-19651 Title:RP-Creative Illustration Workshop

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(RAY)

Job:06-19651 Title:RP-Creative Illustration Workshop

#175 Dtp:204 Page:73

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

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                                        

step 

evelop your surface with two colors of paint. In my example, I paint the entire surface with green acrylic. fter

about twenty minutes, I paint black acrylic over the entire surface. I often do this because now I can take white

pastel and doodle or draw on the black surface. aving black over the green allows some color to come through,

adding texture. It’s just the way I always start any piece.

(RAY)

Job:06-19651 Title:RP-Creative Illustration Workshop

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(RAY)

Job:06-19651 Title:RP-Creative Illustration Workshop

07-C57300 #175 Dtp:204 Page:74

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(Text)

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step 

raw what you feel. t this early stage, it’s a very abstract process. In my example, I start with pastel and

draw whatever I feel. ou might even try closing your eyes so you aren’t overthinking what you see on the

paper. ust be loose and keep moving your hand, even if it seems clumsy or “silly.”

onsiderusinyourfinertipsasrushes.otonlyanitleadtointerestinshapes

andteturesitisverysensualandhealintofeelthepaintonyourfiners.

Creative illustration workshop



(RAY)

Job:06-19651 Title:RP-Creative Illustration Workshop

#175 Dtp:204 Page:74

001-144_19651.indd 74 6/11/10 5:17:12 PM

(RAY)

Job:06-19651 Title:RP-Creative Illustration Workshop

#175 Dtp:204 Page:75

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

(Text)

                                        

step 

s I progress through this abstract stage, I enhance the circle shape and adjust the pastel blue to be more

somber. I notice something in the scratchmark area on the right and adjust it to be an abstract red shape

using red pastel, which I read as a symbolic “opening” or door. I’ve also wiped the white shapes slightly

away—a benefit of using pastel. uring this stage, stop. ook for any shapes or areas that draw your eye in.

Focus on those areas but don’t try to figure out what they mean. It’s still very abstract. Work with adding

some color or more definition in those areas. xplore them with an open mind, and try not to get tied to

“what does this mean?”

(RAY)

Job:06-19651 Title:RP-Creative Illustration Workshop

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(RAY)

Job:06-19651 Title:RP-Creative Illustration Workshop

07-C57300 #175 Dtp:204 Page:76

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Creative illustration workshop



(RAY)

Job:06-19651 Title:RP-Creative Illustration Workshop

#175 Dtp:204 Page:76

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