Surface Treatment Workshop: Explore 45 Mixed-Media Techniques

I have found this book a fantastic way of pushing my artwork in new directions. There are many ideas for approaches to paint which you would never have thought of before including techniques using common household items. It also covers some of the gels/mediums seen in art shops which I would not have thought about using before as I did not know how to use them to best effect. If you are an art student or teacher it should be a staple reference book. The instructions are easy to follow, photographs are clear and examples shown inspirational.

I first got this as a kindle addition so I knew about the contents, but I found that it was limiting so I ordered this and I'm so glad I did. It's so much easier to understand as you see the projects a lot clearer across the pages.The techniques are explained in an a easy way with plenty of pictures. It give a list of materials, surfaces, archival quality and tips so you can get organized before you start. It also has a troubleshooting comments. There are pictures of artists that work in mix media as examples. The book has a index at the back and a list of suppliers contact details

i couldn't wait to receive this book and start getting creative. there are so many different ways to create work with varying surface textures. for each tutorial it also gives small samples of how to vary the technique. the only downside with this book is that its american so im not sure if all the materials used in the book are available in the UK and if they're expensive to buy.

A wonderful book full of interesting and creative ideas for any artist of any level. I'm just starting out with some mixed media art as a hobby and I found the projects in this book easy to follow, and quite often you can use stuff you have already in your home to create surface textures. I found it an interesting and useful book to get me started with mixed media art.

This book does indeed contain what it says on the tin, in that it shows quite a number of surface treatment techniques and a range of effects that you can get with each. One big advantage is that it indicates the archival properties of the techniques, the only such book I've come across that does this. I've so far been a bit reluctant to play with different chemical mixtures (such as soaps and foams) for this reason. A substantial disadvantage of this book is that a lot of the techniques require specific art products from specific manufacturers that may be easily available in the US, but aren't that ubiquitous (nor very cheap!) here. Also, what "fibre paste", "ceramic stucco", "Tyvek" or "Venetian plaster" exactly are is explained nowhere. It may be obvious for US readers, but it's not clear to me. Only some of these things have (American...) suppliers in the resources section. Having said that, there are also techniques using the widely available water, cooking salt, alcohol, etc...! All in all, it's a nice book that may inspire me to experiment with what could possibly be equivalents to these unknown American things. I have used salt, alcohol, etc. in my paintings before, and so it's not all new to me, but for someone who is entirely new to this kind of painting the instructions in the book are maybe a little bit on the short side. On the other hand, keeping the instructions short is probably in keeping with the experimental approach.

What a super book! I am by nature an experiment an experimental mixed media artist and am also on the look out for ideas which could be adapted for use in workshops for people with mental ill health. ( i.e. people lacking confidence and afraid of it 'going wrong. or not looking 'right') from the very first glance and looking through directions/recipes I was excited by the potential 'to play'. An interesting surface can be cut up to make collages , background for printing or designs in a workshop, and give great satisfaction. There are reviews complaining about the American bias so it's not possible to work out the ingredients of some examples, and I will try googling items before I dismiss particular experiments, but the philosophy is clear - have a go and experiment. Troubleshooting notes will steer you if it the result as you would like. I would say 'never throw any of these away, as they might be just what you are looking for, in the future! Not sure why I waited so long to buy it, just looking at it makes me excited and say 'What could I do with .that?!' If you think I might have the same approach to art as I do, I am sure you will find it a good purchase.

I bought this to use on my Mixed Media course and found it's full of really interesting, useful and unusual effects for background surfaces, paintings and collage, etc. Some reviews have mentioned the American brand names used in it but its not difficult to go online and work out what the equivalent UK name is. I'm really pleased with this book and keen to try all the new techniques shown in it.

This is the one of the best mixed media books I've come across yet. I love that the majority of the mediums used are common items in any art and crafts studio or items that can be easily found in any art supply shop, grocery or hardware store. Each tutorial gives multiple examples of the same medium but with a slight spin. By the time I was on page 60 I had to put it down and go make something.