LOOSEN UP: Mixed Media Seascape Sketching
Mixed Media Seascapes, 4 of my favourite materials.
Lately, I’ve been loving the freedom of loose, expressive seascape sketches, capturing not just how the coast looks, but how it feels. The crash of waves, gulls overhead, the salty wind, there’s so much energy in it all, and mixed media is the perfect way to respond.
I’m using four of my favourite materials: ink, graphite stick, black gesso, and white fluid acrylic, paired with a paintbrush, palette knife, toothbrush, and trusty sponge roller. Each brings its own magic:
Ink splashes and bleeds in expressive, unpredictable ways.
Graphite stick adds bold lines and deep texture.
Black gesso, especially with a foam roller, creates toothy, gritty surfaces to work into.
And white fluid acrylic flicked over wet ink gives ghostly bleeds and highlights.
It’s all about layering, experimenting, and letting go. A brushstroke here, a flick there, the drag of a roller, each mark builds mood and motion. This kind of play is where real creativity lives. These selected materials are great for exploring different textures and responses.
Mixed media invites freedom. When you stop trying to control every detail and let the materials do their thing, you start to find your voice in the chaos. It’s all about experimenting, playing, and finding the most expressive way to translate the excitement of what you see and feel onto the page.
