Experimental Coasts in Mixed Media

Acclaimed mixed-media artist Mike Bernard and art writer Susie Hodge share guidance, ideas and techniques on coastal painting through step-by-step projects and experimental exercises.

A master class from a popular artist with stunning artwork of coasts from around the globe.

Acclaimed mixed-media artist Mike Bernard has been at the forefront of collage painting for decades, and his work has a sought-after vitality. He brings his latest guidance, ideas, and techniques on a subject about which he is passionate: coastal painting. From his home near the Devon coast, he and coauthor (art writer) Susie Hodge cover all aspects of mixed-media painting: from considering composition and looking for contrasts to reducing elements for greater impact (and even moving towards abstraction); from working with limited palettes to including imaginary colors to a painting; from collaging with torn magazines, tin foil, plastic, and newsprint to combining inks, oil pastels, PVA, acrylic, and watercolors; from playing with proportion to create mood to using thick and thin oils for effect. And, of course, how to capture the mood and atmosphere of coastal life, from quiet stretches to busy harbors around the world. The authors include several step-by-step projects to demonstrate techniques, plus a series of experimental exercises helps the reader try something new.