Fabrics & Fibers

with Cherril Doty & Marsh Scott

As you continue working in mixed media, the list of materials will seem endless! There are an abundance of fibers and fabrics that lend themselves easily to creating texture, visual interest, and dimension to your artwork.

Materials

• Cheesecloth

• Gauze (rolls, 4" squares)

• Acrylic paints

• Substrates (canvas, mat board, or watercolor paper)

• Assorted fabrics (lace, burlap, etc.)

• Wood or cardboard cutouts

• Assorted unique fibers (produce bags, dryer sheets, drywall tape, etc.)

• Scissors

• Acrylic medium

• Acrylic gel

• Gesso

• Container of water

• Plastic-covered cardboard

• 1" brushes

• Staple gun

Colored Cheesecloth

Fabrics and fibers are wonderful for adding texture and dimension to mixed-media art.

Step One Color cheesecloth or gauze by mixing one part acrylic paint and one part water in a small container. Dip small pieces of cheesecloth into the mixture; spread them on top of plastic or hang them to dry.

Step Two Once dry, cut, pull, or tear the cloth into pieces to use for textural backgrounds or as highlights on your artwork.

Textured Backgrounds

Step One Brush a thick layer of gesso onto your canvas. Lay burlap or other textured fabric onto the gesso while it’s still wet. Staple the burlap to the back of the canvas.

Step Two Brush a coat of gesso over the top, flattening the burlap as you go. Let dry.

Step Three Follow the same steps to add more layers, if desired, allowing each layer to dry before you add the next. When all layers are dry, finish your artwork.

Printed Backgrounds

Cut out fabric pieces in simple, repetitive shapes, such as circles, squares, waves, and straight lines. Starting at one edge of a rigid substrate, spread gel or medium. Press the fabric down. Don’t worry about the fabric going over the edges of the substrate. Lay down each piece, overlapping as you go, brushing gel over and under them.

Stiffening & Cutting Fabrics

Step One Cover a piece of cardboard with plastic; then brush acrylic medium over the surface of the plastic.

Step Two Press fabric pieces flat on the plastic, adding more medium as needed. Brush medium over the fabric pieces again, covering the entire surface. Let dry. (Medium will turn clear when dry.)

Step Three When dry, loosen the corner of each piece and peel off the plastic. Cut the fabric into shapes, and draw or write on the pieces, as desired.

Fabric Wraps

Step One Brush medium over a cardboard or wood cutout. Apply one or more pieces of fabric across the cutout, and cover with medium. Let dry.

Step Two When dry, turn the cutout over so the backside is face up. Trim the fabric, leaving a quarter inch around the edges. Make little cuts up to the edge of the shape all the way around. Brush medium on the back of cutout and wrap the fabric around, brushing on more medium as needed.

Step Three Let dry. Use the shapes as dimensional pieces in your artwork.

Unique Fibers & 3-D Effects

Creating Texture Using Found Fibers

Step One Gather an assortment of unique fibers such as produce bags, open-weave ribbon, place mats, drywall tape, pull-apart yarns, dryer sheets, etc.

Step Two On a separate board or paper, experiment with using these various fibers. Some will be adhered easily with acrylic medium, while others will require heavier gel. Once you are familiar with these fibers, use them in your artwork.