Sonriseartists Co / Techniques
I often find myself drawn to the way a small, unexpected underlayer can transform the finished surface of a painting. Lately I’ve been experimenting with using gouache as an underlay beneath vibrant acrylic highlights — a pairing that feels slightly rebellious because gouache and acrylic sit so...
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I love experiments that sit between drawing and printmaking — processes that respond to touch, time and chance. Cyanotype is one of those magical techniques: simple to set up, fast to learn, and endlessly generous when combined with collage. Over the last few years I’ve been exploring small,...
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I often get asked how I keep my brushes in good shape while avoiding harsh solvents. Over the years I’ve moved almost entirely to solvent-free methods for everyday cleaning and only use substitutes with caution for deep cleaning. Below I share the practical, hands-on routine I use in the studio...
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I often return to glazing with acrylics when I want colour depth that feels almost like light passing through layers — that luminous, jewel-like effect you associate with oil glazes, but achieved with acrylics’ faster drying time and versatility. Over the years I’ve developed a step-by-step...
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I love the tactile, layered quality of textured paintings. Capturing that texture for social media can feel frustrating—flat phone photos that don't show depth, harsh shadows that swallow subtle glazes, or blown-out highlights that erase impasto. Over the years I've developed several...
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Working in a compact studio doesn’t have to feel like a compromise. Over the years I’ve learned that small corners, properly thought through, become powerful workflow zones for mixed-media practice. They don’t need to be glamorous or expensive — they need to be intentional. Below I share...
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I like to think of a colour recipe library as a toolbox that travels with me from one project to the next. Over the years I’ve developed a system that helps me recreate consistent palettes—whether I’m working on a series of small gouache studies, a mixed-media commission, or translating a...
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I love building layered collage backgrounds because they offer a rich, accidental language that can ground a painting, illustration or mixed-media piece. Working with found papers and acrylic medium creates depth, texture and surprises — and you don’t need a fancy studio to get started. Below I...
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