Blog: Mixed Media

New Über*Media Project Class: Discover Canvas

UberMediaDiscover500

Wooohooo -new class in the house. In difference to the usual Über*Media Classes that are all about techniques and certain media- this is a project class.

DiscoverCanvas_Ad4panel

In this online video workshop I show you how to create a fun and whimsical mixed media canvas. You will learn some fun techniques using acrylic paints, book papers, gel medium, embossing powders and more, to turn a blank canvas into a wonderful unique and personal home decor item. On top you receive some fun tracing stencils and other items in the mail for you to use during the workshop. In 2 1/2 hours of video material, I show you all the steps, talk about my creative process, let you get into my head on why I use certain things and some basic design rules regarding mixed media. You will learn a lot about the media I use in this class which enables you to take this knowledge further and use it in future projects. And on top…you can learn in your own pace , at home ..even in your jammies.

This workshop is aimed for beginners to intermediate scrapbookers and mixed media Artists.

Watch the video for some more peaks of the workshop

[vimeo 60751181 w=400 h=300]

Check out the details about the class, what you need, what you get and the sign-up info here.

As I this time I will send out custom-made tracing stencils  with the that Crafter’s Workshop made for me especially for this workshop- the space where you can get these included is limited.

Hope to see you in class

Huge hugs

Nat

Comments (7)

  • cal8007

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    I hope this workshop will be available in the future, so I can sign up for it. I’m in the middle of an art class, but would love to take it when my class is over in April.

    The preview looks like fun!!

    Hugs,

    Carmen L

    Reply

    • Nathalie Kalbach

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      Hi Carmen- it will be available as long as I have the stencils :) Right now it is looking still good for April to take it. I hope I will see you then :) huge hugs nat

      Reply

  • Laura E.

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    Natalie, super excited to join you! love your work! Just signed up! Yay me!

    Reply

  • andrenesmith

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    I am all about the jammies!!! LOL. Cant wait – love your classes.

    Reply

  • Francesca

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    Ich liebe deine canvas und deine workshops sind immer weit weg für mich. Ich habe mich angemeldet. Ich freue mich riesig !!!

    Reply

  • mrburg

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    Hi Nathalie

    I went to sign up for the class but paypal all came up in german – so not sure if this is secure or not. Marg

    Reply

    • Nathalie Kalbach

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      hi marg, it is because i am in germany. endless emails with paypal how to change that, but it is not easy on a blog. but it is secure. it is just that you country appears in german. many others signed on secure over the last two years. if you rather want to email me directly do so at nathalie(dot)kalbach(at)gmail(dot)com
      i would love to have you in class, nat

      Reply

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Workshops in Sweden – Stockholm August 31-September 1, 2013

liten logga

Wohooo – so happy to come back to Sweden this year to teach at the Creative Moments Event organized by Scrap-Perra.

I will teach 3 workshops – here they are

Season Canvas: 
In this Workshop with Nathalie Kalbach, you will create a stunning and unique canvas that will be a wonderful home décor item.Learn how to create dimension and texture with tissue paper, items of daily life, acrylic paint, lace, burlap, and gesso.

Learn how to reveal the interesting and eye catching texture with acrylic paints and acrylic inks and add some fun stamping techniques on top.

We will be adding lots of layers and dimension to make this a spring, summer, fall or winter canvas… just as you like. All the techniques can easily be applied to future projects.

Classtime is 4 hours.

Über-Media Acrylic Paint: 
In this workshop you learn how to use Acrylic Paints in your Art Journal. This class shows all kinds of possibilities using Acrylic Paints with different media.We will start with the basics then make our way up to more advanced techniques. Everything will be taught in an art journal.

I will share with you my favorites, whether it be how to build up interesting backgrounds, resist techniques or incorporating other paint media for stunning layers. I will share with you why I’m doing things, how I got the idea, and what works and what doesn’t seem to work.

Join the uber-fun in this class!

Class is at least 4 hours.

Yawp: 
Are you ready to dive into art journaling? Let’s sound a barbaric YAWP over the rooftops of the world and get ready for a lot of creative freedom. I will teach you how to create your own easy to create art journal using wonderful PanPastels.Learn mixing, blending, painting and drawing with those soft pastels. Learn how to get stunning results with different resist techniques and fun stamping tricks using embossing powders and other paint media.

You can easily apply all of the learned techniques to later projects whether it be art journals, mixed media and even scrapbooking projects.

Looking forward to yawp along with you in this 3 1/2 hour-long class.

I am so thrilled to teach with also my sweet friends Birgit Koopsen and Janna Werner and to meet Asa Danielsson.

Officiell logga webshop

it is going to be lot’s of fun!

If you want to know where else I am teaching this year- you can check my in-person Workshop schedule! Hope to meet you!!!

Have a gorgeous day

Nat

Comments (6)

  • Eeva Hall

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    I’ll see you there!!! Just waiting for the final dates and time of the workshops so we can book :-) .

    Reply

  • Gunvor

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    I’m so happy you’re coming to Stockholm again! Now, what course to go …

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

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    Looks like fun!

    Reply

  • Gerd Andersson

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    I’m really looking forward to this event and your workshops!

    Reply

  • malin.scheier@telia.com

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    I really hope I see you there! malin

    >—-Ursprungligt meddelande—-

    Reply

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Space Age Bachelor Pad or…Art Journal Page

This is what happens when you sit in your mid century style (or in normal words: 50s influenced living room) listening to Esquivel while sketching in your Art Journal

SpageAgeBachelor01

I played with my Derwent Inktense Blocks  to try some things with them and I used all colors in my 24 set…can you tell? LOL

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No other substances were involved…promised ;)

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kokcVklxsFU]

Have an amazing day :)

Nat

Comments (14)

  • cal8007

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    Oh, I got a little sidetracked!! I forgot to mention that I love your art and I love the inktense sticks; just saving up to get me the 24 colors and play!

    Reply

  • cal8007

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    Ha, I kept waiting to see you making your project, and waited, and waited, then It dawned on me that you were writing about Esquivel’s music, and had posted the music by itself. I am very familiar with that song too, just as Carmen (Cuchy) remembers. Those songs, written by Manzanero, were my favorite. I was a teenager and a romantic so it brought back very nice memories of my life living in Mexico in the 60’s.

    Hugs, Carmen Alicia Lucero (Licha)

    Reply

  • Gunvor

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    Lovely art work! The colours are so vibrant.

    Reply

  • Gerd Andersson

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    Fabulous! While I’m not recognicing the music, I can relate to the pattern as it reminds me of my very first self-made dress.

    Reply

  • Marjie Kemper

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    Vavavooom! This is awesome – everywhere I look I see something new. Very cool, Nat!

    Reply

  • Laura

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    Beautifully colourfully wonderful!

    Reply

  • samara

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    Natalie: This may be one of my most fav. pages! it is absolutely awesome. The colors and shapes are incredible. I can see each and every one as an entire page. It could be stared at for ages and ages. Speaking of The Bachelor….tonight is the night I think!!!! Can’t wait…. hee hee

    Reply

  • M. Carmen - Cuchy

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    WOW this is one of your most colourful artwork. I love how it turned out. Beautiful.
    By the way. you know the original “Esta tarde vi llover” song is from mexican Armando Manzanero. It is a beautiful bolero. Nothing to do with this funny version :) which I also like and had never listen to. (He is the same artist as in CJS teaser video, right?)

    Reply

    • Nathalie Kalbach

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      Hi Cuchy- yes – is the same artist as from the CJS teaser video. I need to record the album for you- I think you will like it and probably you can tell me a lot about the original references.

      Reply

  • Kathy P

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    Love it, Nat! You always inspire!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Never heard that song…the art journal page goes with it perfectly some how. Looks like you had a great time with the bright colors!

    Reply

  • rains

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    : ) I love the fifties style. I’d never heard this music. I just saw “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” again and it reminds me of some of the music in that. It does not look like you used all the colors, which is quite amazing! I like the page a lot.

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

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    Wow- so cool!

    Reply

  • muriel

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    Wow! I love it, so bright and dynamic! And since I was the lucky winner of Derwent Intense Blocks thanks to you, I’m going to try this today. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Farewell SAZ …or…La Dolce Vita Minialbum

DolceVita_Cover_Blog

A bit sad I write this post- in Dezember 2006 my friends Andrea and Jana started with their German magazine ScrapArtZine. What started as an electronic magazine became a print magazine pretty quick and I loved contributing to the magazine from the beginning on.

DolceVita_Inks_Blog

It was fun being part of something that was created by a sole group of devoted people – no big publishing house in the background, from the articles, to the pictures, to the graphic design, to the layouting, taking care of advertisers, subscribers etc,  to the getting it to the printer, to putting it in envelopes to sending more than 2000 issues out…all in the hands of a couple of people – mostly Jana and Andrea. I think that is pretty amazing.

DolceVita_SprühBlog

The sad thing is…the magazine had its last issue out this January…it is just to time consuming and too crazy to continue for my friends who have a full-time job too which actually puts food on the table. The magazine didn’t for neither of us. I can totally understand their decision – although it sad to see this magazine go.  It closes another chapter of my more scrapbooking related path from years ago – I have moved in a very different direction for years now and it was wonderful that Andrea and Jana let me still be part of it in writing my columns and articles.  Thank you Andrea and Jana for a good time and fun at the SAZ. I enjoyed it a lot.

DolceVita_Cover2Blog

The last article I wrote was about Prima’s Mixed Media Albums…and the pictures you see are some samples from the article. I will miss writing articles for magazines…but who knows what the time will bring.

What magazines Mixed Media/Craft/Scrapbooking do you enjoy to read?

Nat

 

Comments (13)

  • cal8007

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    Aww, so sad for your friends; but you have to do what you have to do for sanity’s sake. I enjoy reading Cloth, Paper Scissors, magazine and have a digital subscription to Northridge Publishing’s books on line.

    Reply

  • SusanJane

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    http://www.putitonpaper.org
    This is the perfect alternative to the slick/money-making magazines. The articles are personal, creative, inspiring. The photos are great. The interviews are with unusual artists doing very interesting work. You really can’t go wrong with this publication.

    Reply

  • Cindy Connell

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    I really enjoyed Vamp Stamp News as a print magazine, but she also had to stop publishing for the same reason. The good news is she publishes a (usually) free online article each month! Really great lady!
    As far a print goes, I’ve been looking at Rubber Stamper lately.

    Reply

  • Louison

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    E bellissimo!!!!

    Reply

  • Helmi Switzer

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    So sad to hear about SAZ. Whenever I was in Germany I tried to get my hands on a copy.Do you know if they have any old copies for sale? I would love to buy some for my sister in Germany?
    My favourite magazine is Canadian Scrapbooker…love it

    Reply

  • elderscrapper

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    Somerset Art Journaling, Memories, and the occasional Studio. I used to subscribe to Cloth,Paper,Scissors but it is getting to be too much fabric art for my tastes.

    Reply

  • Ami

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    I usually buy Somerset’s Art Journaling magazine and Memories. I will buy the Somerset Studio when I like the art and articles. I used to subscribe to Cloth, Paper, Scissors but they changed editors and it is more and more sewing now which I don’t do or like.

    Reply

  • rains

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    I love somerset magazines but rarely buy them. I also read Craft Paper Scissors sometimes.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Somerset Memories is the only mag that I buy faithfully.
    I really like this mini-album Nat. I bought those doors and really need to use them!

    Reply

  • artquiltgirl

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    I love Art Journaling, Craft Paper Scissors, Sommerset. I love to read magazines and look through the pages over and over, but the price of magazines is so high that I have quit buying them. I mostly use the internet to research things I want to find out about, reading everyones blog.

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

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    I do not really read any magazines. I spend way too much time on line finding inspiration there.

    Reply

  • Michelle Guest

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    I love the somerset magazines… Although price-y, they have great articles & wonderful examples.

    Reply

  • Rob

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    Hi Nathalie
    At the moment, mine and lots of friends favourite magazine is the UK Craft Stamper. Great art project and techniques.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Art Mesa Mixed Media Event – Madrid 2013 – June 29

ArtMesa

 

Wooohoooo!!! This is the 3rd Art Mesa that Cuchy and I have in Madrid on June 2013. You can find the Art Mesa Blog with all the Details here.

The last two years we had a wonderful time with our students- the hotel is beautiful and we had lot’s of privacy in hour huge workshop room with the private terrace, the weather was awesome, the workshops were fun – It was just the best!

Again we will teach each one workshop:

SEASON CANVAS

29.06.2012 –  10.00 hs. – 14.00 hs.

Season Canvas

En este taller con Nathalie Kalbach, crearás un increíble y único lienzo que será un maravilloso objeto de decoración.

Aprende cómo crear dimension y textura con papel tissue, objetos de uso diario, pintura acrílica, encaje, arpillera y gesso

Aprende como sacar una textura interesante y llamativa con pintura acrílica y tintas acrílicas. Añade algunas técnicas de estampación sobre todo ello.

Iremos añadiendo muchas capas y dimensión para hacer un lienzo de primavera, verano, otoño o invierno… como quieras. Todas las técnicas pueden aplicarse fácilmente en futuros proyectos.

In this Workshop with Nathalie Kalbach, you will create a stunning and unique canvas that will be a wonderful home décor item.

Learn how to create dimension and texture with tissue paper, items of daily life, acrylic paint, lace, burlap, and gesso.

Learn how to reveal the interesting and eye catching texture with acrylic paints and acrylic inks and add some fun stamping techniques on top.

We will be adding lots of layers and dimension to make this a spring, summer, fall or winter canvas… just as you like. All the techniques can easily be applied to future projects.

 

TALLER M. CARMEN SÁNCHEZ “CUCHY”

QUERIDO DIARIO / DEAR DIARY 

29.06.2012 – 16,00 hs. – 20,00 hs.

DearDiaryWorkshop

En este taller con Cuchy, crearemos un diario desde cero, con una base de encuadernación japonesa.

Un proyecto delicado al que “contar” nuestros pensamientos más secretos.

Personalizaremos nuestro diario creando distintas texturas con gesso, pasta y sellos. Añadiremos color con barras de tinta y profundidad con grafito, para acabar decorándolo con papel, foil y utee.

Una mezcla de técnicas y elementos que estimularán nuestra creatividad.

¡Te esperamos!

In this workshop with Cuchy, you will create a personal diary from scratch, using a japanese bookbinding technique.

A delicate project to which “tell” your secret thoughts

You will customize your diary creating textures with gesso, paste and stamps, adding colours with ink blocks and depth with graphite, and embellishing with paper, foil and utee.

A mixture of techniques and elements which will encourage your creativity.

 

We hope to see you at Art Mesa :)

wkia8g

 

Have a gorgeous day

Nat

Comments (5)

  • Eeva Hall

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    Any plans to come here this year?? Waiting for one secret teacher to be revealed in october and something else in august…please let it be you :-)

    Reply

  • Cecilia

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    I’ll be there again, I can not miss it!!!!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    I really need to win the lottery so that I can spend my time flying from country to country attending your workshops Nat.

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

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    THese look like wonderful workshops!

    Reply

Leave a comment

Art Fusion – Mixed Media Event in the Netherlands with Birgit Koopsen and me :)

Wohoooo – know my sweet friend, awesome workshop teacher,  jumpstarter and annual CHA-room mate Birgit Koopsen? We have been planning forever to do a workshop event together and …finally ….here we go :)

ArtFusion500

 

Art Fusion – a fusion of Nationalities, Style and Media.

On the weekend April 13-14, 2013 we will teach in Winsum in The Netherlands 4 Mixed Media Workshops – 2 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday- each of us 1 per day. The exact location in Winsum will be announced as soon as we have an idea of the number of attendees…more people…bigger room ;)Winsum is accessible by car, train and bus and is located north of Groningen. We created a blog for the event, where we will keep you posted on the kind of workshops, times, prices and other information. We would love to have you and spent an amazing, inspiring and creative Mixed Media Workshop Weekend with you !

Hope to see you there :)

huge hugs

nat

 

Comments (7)

  • sabelljones

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    AWWW, I so wish I could be there for your classes in the Netherlands! But I can’t so I do hope you will share some of your awesome work with us. Have fun hanging out with your friend. I love your work, you give me lots of inspiration!

    Reply

  • Marjolijn Stas

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    Sounds very interesting, to bad it’s a 3 hour drive ………………..

    Reply

  • Kathy P

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    Oh, I would LOVE to go, but the cost is prohibitive! Have fun!

    Reply

  • margm3c

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    I want to go!!!!!!!

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

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    How cool!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Sounds like a last…love the symbol/icon for the weekend.

    Reply

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Not Your Ordinary Dolls…or Dresden Doll

CHA and Paperworld left me with a couple of things to play – nothing more fun then putting some of those things together- including a really bad quality – nevertheless-cracking-me-up-photo of Anna and me.

ordinarydolls01

I wanted the background look like an old club/poster wall – grungy and all :) …I think I succeeded LOL

ordinarydolls02

The Dresden Doll is actually my first mold with Resin – I do have to redo the mold as there is a slight crease right on the face- but I wanted to use the first one anyway and I like it a lot. I had saved my little Dresden Doll FOREVER hoarding it for the best possible occasion and now…HARHAR – I just make more ….insert evil scientist laugh.

ordinarydolls03

 

 

ordinarydolls04

So that’s it…I got my grunge on :)

Other than that- working on a brand new Über*Media Online Workshop right now- actually two :) So stay tuned.

Have an awesome day!

Nat

Comments (24)

  • Finnabair

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    awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!! this is crazy, i love the peeled paint effect you got! and photo..yeah, priceless!

    Reply

  • Laura

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    Awesome layout!

    Reply

  • piekielnaowca

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    HI there !!!
    Amazing work love this old wall look. And for sure no one can say you girls are ordinary ;))

    thx for banner i will proudly put it on my blog it was such fun

    hugs !

    Reply

  • muriel

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    Great background, just what I love! And funny photo.

    Reply

  • frutselke

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    hilarious!!! you definitely got that poster look right. great inspiration. and thanks for the banner.

    Reply

  • Carrie

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    LoL that picture is priceless! Love what you did with the whole thing, though. The old club wall look really works! It’s really like you cut out a piece of a wall that had decades of layers of posters and paint and more posters – it must’ve taken you ages to build all that up!

    Reply

  • Vicki r.

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    Love the grunge artwork! Thanks for the blinkie too! I am off to add it to my blog….

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

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    So cool and interesting to look at look!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Love it and I was a jumper but alas I don not have a blog…I will have to secretly look at the banner and pretend that I’ve posted it for the world to see;-)

    Reply

  • Miae

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    Fabulous art! You most certainly pulled off the old poster page look! Thanks again for CJS Nathalie!!

    Reply

  • Piarom

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    What an amazing grungy madness ;) can´t get my eyes off of it! and your doll looks wonderful and fits real nice!

    Reply

  • Jeannette van Dongen

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    Hi Natalie, I was just wondering. Is it correct that I haven’t received alink yet to a newsletter from Creative Jump Start 2013 in which all the winners from the giveaway are mentioned ? Hope to hear from you !

    Reply

    • Nathalie Kalbach

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      as that is correct- as I said in the last video- it will take me some time. so please be patient! Thank you

      Reply

  • Lori Batronis

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    This has been truly wonderful. I still have not made it thru all of the videos, but that is ok. It has been a hectic month. The ones I did see were very awe inspiring. Thank you.

    Reply

  • Nurse Ratchet

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    Now I would love to be in that club with you two,having a beer or two! Your piece is wonderful….so much to discover!!

    Reply

  • Tabbatha S

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    Ooh, fantastic banners! That page is absolutely fantastic too – so inky and silly. :D

    Reply

  • Laura S

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    Just like Kathy P commented, I too am saving the blinkie for when I get my Blog. I have been dreaming about a Bog for a long time. Now that I’ve accomplished creating my art journal, starting a Blog is my next goal. Thank you very much, Nat! My hero ;)

    Reply

  • Lisa Flaherty

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    Just….whoa. That background is incredible, Nat. The colors, the textures, the stitches, the grunginess. Whoa! Your Dresden doll is perfect, as is the color and fun you’ve added around your faces, reminiscent of Finn’s Jumpstart! True love at first sight!!

    Reply

    • Nathalie Kalbach

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      LOL- I might add that I have been doing photo manipulation for many years…but I loved Finn’s ;)

      Reply

  • Louison

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    Beautiful and so funny!! I love it!!!

    Thanks for the blinkie!!! :)

    Reply

  • Milagros

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    Ese fondo te ha quedado perfecto me encanta super-grunge , la superposición de capas y los vibrantes colores. Artistazas

    Reply

  • Kathy P

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    What a fun page…love all the texture and color! And since BOTH of you are being silly, that is a great photo!!! LOL…..
    Thanks for the blinkie….I am saving it for when I FINALLY get my own blog going!

    Reply

  • Charlotte

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    This is fabulous! I love it :) I think you totally nailed it with the club/poster grungy wall look – I thought that before I read the line where you said that’s what you were going for :)

    Reply

Leave a comment

My Favorite Mixed Media Essentials: 3. Markers & Pens

I wouldn’t necessarily say that Pens and Markers come at third place- but I would say that this is what I get the most questions about “What kind of marker/pen do you use on your projects with x? And so I will talk about my favorite ones now :)

If you missed the other posts in this series – you can catch up here 

I would say these are my top seven- always go to pens and markers.

What I always keep in mind when I use pens and markers is:

  • There is a right pen or marker for every surface
  • Make sure your paint media- all media on your surface is completely dry before you start writing on it…otherwise you ruin your pen.
  • Avoid the “fat” areas – meaning those areas – that you treated with oily and waxy paint media when you use felt markers or acrylic markers in general.
  • Be careful when you use an oil based marker or pen over water-soluble surfaces. Oftentimes the medium underneath reacts and the oil based marker bleeds into it. If that is what you want…you are good to go ;)

Which pens and markers I use:

This pen is awesome – that is why I have it…well…kidding aside – LOL. This permanent marker can be used on all kinds of surfaces including glass and acrylic and CD’s. I write with it on paper, as long as it is smooth paper, otherwise it tends to bleed. I use it because I love how it writes. When I write something on a transparency– I use it- it is the best on transparencies. I use it on smooth acrylic surfaces – it works like a charm. Not so good to use on textured surfaces- you ruin your pen…and believe me…hehehehe- I tried ;)  It comes with different tip sizes and it has an eraser in the back for the slick surfaces.

This is an ink pencil and when you write with it or make marks, they are pretty prominent as the pencil itself is highly pigmented and firm. You can also use water on it and then wash the pigments out. Once it is dried…it is permanent! YES…you heard right. As I lack the impressive Julie-Fei-Fan-Balzer-handpainted-brush-title-ing – I use this pencil to highly fake this ;) I write with the pencil in a what I think artsyfartsy way my title and then use water and a small brush and just go over it so it looks more like a brush painted title. Of course…as the description has given it away already, you should not use wet media on top of it without intention…you will activate and smear your writing otherwise.

A classic white gel pen. I love how fluidly the ink comes out. It is for me the best white pen I have tried. It covers black perfectly – which means it covers all colors and it is amazing with most surfaces – unless it is the super scratchy one. Gets ruined very quick if you use it on “fat” surfaces or not “dry” surfaces. I used to be able to find refills at my local office supply store which was actually making this a bargain and made me happy for eco-friendly reasons. I need to check out where I can find them now.

This is a soft  water soluble graphite stick and I love this for sketching or mostly making marks into painted dried and wet surfaces. Well- if the surface is wet you make texture and need to clean the tip of the stick right away with a dry towel. It is paper wrapped and you can take the wrapper off as you use it.

These are my secret weapons…LOL. You could say…the Dumbledores under the Markers ;) . The Posca water based paint marker has in the size of 0.9-1.3 mm a bullet shape tip and I tend to love this as I find myself writing easily with this. I love how the paint comes flowing out and I can use it – as well as the Molotow marker on tricky surfaces…well set aside super waxy or oily surfaces of course. On acrylic paint it looks shiny – I love it! I am not a fan though of the white Posca Marker – it doesn’t cover the way I would like it.

The Molotow Marker is a bit pricier, but it can be also refilled and I would say it can be used on even trickier surfaces than the Posca Marker…you can write on the most uneven stoney surfaces with it, without ruining the tip right away and you can use it for outdoor projects too. Ahem..if you think of Molotow Graffiti Spray Paints you might get why this marker is so good with struggling surfaces ;) . The white Molotow Marker is better than the white Posca Marker.

Both markers are awesome as you can use them also on fabric and wood and they do not bleed. The colors are intense and highly pigmented, they don’t fade too quick….I love love love them. I have markers of both companies for YEARS and they are still good to go and not dried out.  If you ever want to make me happy with a present… DEAR FAMILY ….just give me a package of one of those :)

This marker is fun- I don’t have it that long but it makes me smile and I love to use it on large-scale projects to write my own title or for bigger marks. It has this very wide angled tip which makes it easy to use it for calligraphy like writing in a graffiti style ;) And hey…who can resist a marker that says: “waterproof on almost every material. recap after use and be on the run!” and is manufactured by a company called ON THE RUN.

nSupplies

I hope you liked this post- let me know what you think. Next up is ….mmh surprise ;)

huge hugs

Nat

Comments (9)

  • Graciela Oyarzu

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    I love Posca! I don’t know if I could get Molotov in my country (Argentina). The white one. Thank you so much for all the information. Its very useful for me.

    Reply

  • kim t

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    I’m always struggling with what to use as I am so new at this, very helpful and informative! Thanks for this post!

    Reply

  • scrappegal

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    LOVE this post!!! Have writyten down my favourites! :D

    Reply

  • marjiekemper

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    Thanks for this… very helpful to have so many pens reviewed in one place.

    Reply

  • M. Carmen - Cuchy

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    Helpful and very interesting. That huge calligraffity ..mmmmmmm

    Reply

  • Louise

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    This is cool thank you so very much for sharen this :)

    Reply

  • Deborah Pierro

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    Hi Nat–Thanks for all of the very helpful information on the pens and marking items you like. You gave very thorough explanations of how they work, like the great art teacher you are. Writing and marking tools are very important to mixed media artists. I really like the Sharpie markers and use them a lot.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    My Signo white pen is my friend. Julie got me hooked on those years ago!
    Never heard of the Posca or Molotow but will have to give a look for them around here. Of course, Amazon does deliver to NH.

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

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    Great info!

    Reply

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My Favorite Mixed Media Essentials: 1. Acrylic Paints

Hands down my all time Mixed Media Essential is Acrylic Paint.

I had a very intense acrylic paint phase a couple of years ago and then I guess I needed a break and neglected those beauties for spray paints for a while. But I am so glad I came back to them!

What I love about Acrylic Paints is:

  • they are fast drying
  • generally cheap – or at least long-lasting even if it is a bit more pricey
  • they have a plastic like surface (due to the plastic polymer emulsion)
  • they can be thinned with water and that could make them almost look like water-color in some cases
  • they are permanent once dried
  • they cover surfaces if opaque
  • you can use other paint media on top of acrylic paints
  • you can use some fun media with them for amazing backgrounds and textures
  • you can create amazing backgrounds and texture with solely acrylic paints

Here are some examples:

beautiful easy background – that can be also used for a scrapbooking layout:

background and texture with acrylic paints:

background and texture using other media and cheap supplies:

texture creating on a scrapbooking layout:

creating some fun handmade embellishments and use it for some accents on a layout:

using them with other acrylic media

using it on difficult surface – like acrylic pages of a minialbum

using acrylic paint to make embellishments your own

Pretty amazing what you can do with acrylic paints, isn’t it? And there is way more!!! So yes – just because of it’s versatility it knocks me off my socks and is my all time favorite essential :)

Which acrylic paints I use:

Here comes a saying that I learned when studying law : “It depends” – LOL. Nice one, huh?

Well, I used a lot of acrylic paints. And over the last couple years I learned what I like and what I do not like.What I like, doesn’t have to be necessary what you like.  so just take it as my thoughts and my preferences, ok?

  • So first of all let’s state that I like good quality artist paints. Because I learned over the years that especially when working in an art journal for example that they aren’t that tacky as a lot of the cheaper non artist ones.
  • I also love good quality artist paints because the color shift between wet and dry is not that high. I love to see how my work might look like when it is dry while I’m still working with my paints. I had many disappointments in the past where I was thinking a nice bright red was rocking my socks and then it was dry and a dark bloody mess as the paint shifted a lot when it dried.
  • Highly pigmented colors go a longer way and they are usually also more beautiful. They also can be buffed for a great glossy finish- which for me also is mostly true for more expensive artist paints.
  • I love texture and I love to create texture with paints – so I prefer thicker colors – I can also just thin them down if I want – and so I am a big Lover of Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylic Paints. I also like Winsor & Newton especially when it comes to their translucent acrylic paints. A good bargain and a very good quality are alos the Liquitex Basic Acrylic Paints.

nSupplies

I hope you liked this post- let me know what you think. Next up is Gesso.

huge hugs

Nat

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If you want to learn more about acrylic paints- check out my Über*Media Acrylic Paint Online Workshop

Comments (4)

  • scrappegal

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    Lovely inspiration projects you are showing! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Easter 1928 is such an elegant LO Nat.
    Thanks for the paint info. I believe that you were the first to inspire me to even try using paint on a LO. Tons of fun and extra special in my art journal. I love the Liquitex tubes since they come in small sizes which are good for travel.

    Reply

  • Jessica Sporn

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    I used to favor watercolor over everything else but have fallen in love with acrylic paint — especially since discovering Golden Fluid acrylics. xo

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

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    Love the many ways you use the paint!

    Reply

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