Create With Layers | Workshop Notes

These are notes from the 7/27/25 Create with Layers virtual workshop!

OVERVIEW:

Experimenting with layers to create a mixed media piece of art using the following methods:

  • Layer 1: Writing (in our own regular handwriting*) using a pencil / colored pencil / pen
  • Layer 2: Writing (in our own regular handwriting*) using a marker
  • Layer 3: Adding acrylic paint
  • Layer 4: Adding paper/other elements

* Don't worry if you feel your handwriting isn't neat or legible. I encourage it to be messy for this!

YOU WILL NEED:

  • A blank page in your sketchbook or piece of paper to work on. I recommend heavier weight mixed media or watercolor paper since we will be using paint. You can visit my Amazon affiliate page for a list of supplies I love and use regularly. For the live workshop I used 140 lb Strathmore watercolor paper.
  • A regular pencil, colored pencil, gel or ballpoint pen This is for layer 1. We want the width of the line to be thin. You can pick a darker/bolder color because the line will be thin. Note that this layer will be the most covered up but we still want it to be visible here and there.

  • A marker or highlighter This is for layer 2. Try to use a marker that has a broad wide tip or a thicker larger brush tip. This can be a lighter color so layer 1 can peek through. If using pen for layer 1, you may want to test the marker over it on scratch paper to check if it smears or not.
  • Acrylic paint, 2-4 colors & pieces of small cardstock to swipe or a dry wide brush to apply the paint This is for layer 3. Pick some colors that go with your words and theme. I don't recommend using watercolor because it may smear layers 1&2 but feel free to use what you have and experiment.
  • Paper or other elements you may want to add This is for layer 4, the top layer. The idea is to use layer 3's paint as glue. I like adding torn pieces of paper that I've written on (you can write your word(s) on tracing or translucent scrapbook paper to add which allows the bottom layers to be seen), circles or shapes punched out of the paper—both the pieces and the paper that now has empty spaces in it, torn pieces of paper/newspaper/magazine that have a pattern/words that go with your piece, fabric pieces, dried flowers (as shown in the pink piece below), stickers, photos, any other flat-ish items you can think of! You can also add embroidery. In the workshop I will be using paper for my demo to keep it beginning friendly.

  • You may also need a glue / glue stick (in case there isn't enough paint to stick) and paper towels are always nice to have handy!

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

  • Pick a word, short quote, or phrase you want to use for your piece. This is what you will be writing for layers 1 & 2. It will help to set the tone for colors you may use and the overall feel of the piece.

    For example: in the photo below, the theme for the gold piece was "I am enough", the yellow/black/orange/teal piece was "energy", the yellow/gold was "every day is a new day", and the pink flowers was a mantra about self love.

Remember that you are doing something you have not done before (even if you’ve done this technique and used the same exact materials, it can come out very differently than before!), that its ok if it doesn’t turn out how you imaged it, and that you’re learning, experimenting, playing, and growing! Have fun with it!

PROCESS:

LAYER 1: YOUR WRITING IN PENCIL/COLORED PENCIL/PEN

Take your writing tool and fill your page with your word/quote/phrase. Fill up your entire page. You can write horizontally or diagonally. It doesn’t have to be neat or perfect or even legible (I actually like it kinda messy!) You can use print, cursive, or a mix. If you mess up, feel free to cross or scribble it out or leave it and keep going. Most likely it will not show / be noticeable by the time you’re done! 

Tip: Try not to write too small (unless that’s what you’re going for.) Gauge the size of your writing based on the size of your paper. I like to pick a size that’s not too big or too small, can be easily read but isn’t oversized.

LAYER 2: YOUR WRITING IN MARKER

The goal is to create a second layer of writing on top of the first. Take your writing tool and write over what you just wrote. Write a little bit bigger than the writing that’s already on your paper (it shouldn’t be exactly on top). Again, it can be in cursive or print, diagonal or straight, and it doesn’t have to follow what you did in step 1.

If you used a pen for layer 1 and haven’t tested it with your marker, it’s possible it could smear. That’s OK—we are learning about our supplies. Keep going—you might even like the effect the smears give!

LAYER 3: ACRYLIC PAINT

Before applying any paint, take a look at your page. Are there areas you want to cover up or leave visible? Are you imagining paint all across your page or in small spots? Take a second to get a rough idea of where you might want to put the paint.

When you’re ready, add the first few drops of paint in the first spot you’d like. Scrape with a piece of cardstock or dry paintbrush (the dry paintbrush can give it a streakier look, allowing the bottom layers to show up).

  • With the cardstock, use more pressure when scraping to create a lighter layer of paint. Use less pressure for a thicker layer of paint.
  • You tend to gather extra paint on the cardstock, don’t waste it! Dab it or smear it onto your page.

Once you have made some paint marks, feel free to add more to swipe over or cover what you’ve already done. Play around with it and see what you like.

While the paint is STILL WET, move on to the fourth and final step.

LAYER 4: PAPER/OTHER ELEMENTS

Use the paint as glue and add your paper/elements on top.

  • If you know you’ll need more glue, apply the glue to your paper/elements first then add to your project.
  • If you put something down and the edges aren’t sticking, swipe or add more paint with a paintbrush under and over it to adhere it to the paper.
  • You can add everything then wait until the piece dries to add more glue or paint.
  • Paper elements may wrinkle—try your best to press it down without any air bubbles then let it dry. Sometimes the paper will even out as it dries and sometimes it will stay wrinkled—this can work with your piece and you may like the texture. If not, try to remember or jot down the paint/glue/paper combo you used so you don’t use it again in the future.

FINISH:

Once you are done, take a step back and look at your piece. Is there anything else you want to add? (I really like finishing off pieces with splatters of paint—I feel like sometimes it can help pull everything together and also adds an element of movement.) If not, you’re done and just need to let your piece dry! Once it dries if you want to add anything, you can do that as well! 

I hope you enjoyed this process and creating with layers! Remember that these are guidelines that you can follow so feel free to try different things and experiement and put your own unique spin on it! :)