Mixed Media and found objects

Using found objects in your mixed media work can bring an extra dimension to your painting. Inspired by the art of mixed media which began around 1912 with the cubist collages and constructions of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, Johannesburg artist Dalila de Matos often adds materials such as copper wire or beads to her work: “I like using materials that are part of the African experience. If the painting calls for it then I will use it. Some other options would be sand, tissue paper, bubble wrap, texture paste, stencils and charcoal. I use acrylic gels as glue and acrylic paint to integrate. These materials anchor the artwork in both time and context.”

She begins with an armature, which is a visual structure on which she can pin her subject matter. This often takes the form of black and white collage which is glued to the canvas in a shape that suits the composition. “If it’s a portrait I will use text that relates to the sitter’s personality, interests or work. I then flood the canvas with acrylic ink in colours that suit my artistic vision. The wonderful colour mixes that ensue are a really good basis for the next step. I then draw my subject on this foundation (if it’s a portrait) or manipulate it further with texture and pattern if it’s a landscape”.

Once the subject is drawn, she switches to oil paints, using a palette knife if it’s a portrait. “The colourful background will help me choose the colours that I will use to mix the skin colours. I have found, that as long as the value of the colours are correct, you can basically use any colour on the skin and the person will still look like themselves - only in a more painterly way! Materials are an important part of my artmaking process and I try to get to know my products well so