By the time we head out on location, the most important work has already been done. The white page has been disrupted. It’s been softened, textured, and “messed up” in the best possible way. And that changes everything.

Getting started with mixed media sketching can feel intimidating, but prepping your backgrounds first is my secret weapon for loosening up and inviting creativity. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating playful, layered surfaces for your sketches.