In this article I share how to let go and have fun collaging, painting and mark-making on a large sheet of paper that will eventually turn into an Artist Trading Card series of 9 at one time. The process of creating multiple ATC’s at once is very freeing and the resulting artworks are usually surprisingly great!
For those of you who don’t know, Artist Trading Cards (ATC’s) are mini-artworks in the size 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches the same as other Trade Card Game (TCG) cards, like Pokemon and Sports Cards.
9 ATC series work in progress created from one sheet of paper by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes.
Some of the things you will learn from this workshop include:
how to select paper for making ATC’s;
how to determine the number of ATC’s that can be created from different paper sizes;
how to repurpose “failed” artworks into ATC’s;
paint ideas when creating backgrounds for ATC’s;
collage techniques for ATC backgrounds;
resources and pen suggestions for mark-making on ATC backgrounds;
how to measure, mark and cut ATC’s out of the background sheet;
some individual ATC finishing ideas;
and more…
Set of 9 ATC’s on a 9x12in watercolor paper with “random” background paints and mark making including black gridlines before cutting and finishing by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes.
Quick ATC Set Creation Painting Workshop Video Replay
Below is the full video workshop of my Live painting session. The paints, surfaces and accessories used in the video are listed afterwards in this article. Enjoy! 🎨
Here are the video timeline sections if you want to jump to a particular part of the live session:
0:00:00 - Intro To Artist Trading Cards
Feel free to ask me any follow-up questions in the comments below. Thanks for watching! 😍
Set of 9 ATC’s on a 9x12in black mixed media paper with “random” background paints and mark making including white gridlines before cutting and finishing by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes.
Supplies List for ATC Sets Workshop
Here are links to the supplies list for the papers, paints, mediums and accessories shown during the video. As a Blick Affiliate and Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases for links below that lead to Blick Art Materials or Amazon.
Book: DK Botany for the Artist by Sarah Simblet Hardback (2010 edition) - https://amzn.to/4orsaSL
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Canson XL Cold Press Watercolor Paper 140lb 9x12in 30 Sheets - https://amzn.to/4ooWFsk
Jack Richeson Cold Press Watercolor Paper 135lb 6x9in 50 Sheets - https://amzn.to/4ruYbfi
Canson Graduate Mixed Media Black Paper 147lb 9x12in 12 Sheets - https://amzn.to/48m3Uvm
Golden QoR Watercolor Paints - https://amzn.to/48sp4I8
Kristy Rice Empty Watercolor Palette for 24 Watercolors - https://amzn.to/4pDJogy
Viviva Metallic Watercolors 15 Colors in Cork Palette - https://amzn.to/4paqoGN
Derwent Inktense Pans Palette of 12 Colors Set 1 - https://amzn.to/4p8AIyW
Derwent Inktense Pans Palette of 12 Colors Set 2 - https://amzn.to/48kRkOl
Derwent Inktense Pans Palette of 24 Colors - https://amzn.to/4rvRqKf
Dr PH Martins Bombay Ink 12 Bottles Set 1 - https://amzn.to/4ixCxDp
Dr PH Martins Bombay Ink 12 Bottles Set 2 - https://amzn.to/4oKlcbT
Krylon Workable Fixatif 11oz Can - https://amzn.to/4pyEi5s
Krylon Kamar Varnish 11oz Can - https://amzn.to/4rC2ZQn
Spectrafix Degas Spray Fixative 12oz Bottle - https://amzn.to/4rv36gg
Pebeo Studio Acrylics Dyna Iridescent Blue Green 100ml Tube - https://amzn.to/43ZMAek
Pebeo Studio Acrylics Sampler Set 30 Tubes 20ml Each - https://amzn.to/4p8BMmq
Pebeo Studio Acrylics Paints on Blick - https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fpebeo-high-viscosity-studio-acrylic%2F
Pebeo Studio Acrylics Gel Mediums Matte and Gloss - https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fpebeo-acrylic-gel-mediums%2F
Pebeo Acrylic Markers Various Nib Sizes - https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fpebeo-acrylic-markers%2F%3FfromSearch%3D%252Fsearch%252F%253Fsearchword%253DPebeo%2BAcrylic%2Bmarkers
Pebeo Acrylic Markers 5/15ml Large Size - https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fpebeo-acrylic-markers%2F%3FfromSearch%3D%252Fsearch%252F%253Fsearchword%253DPebeo%2BAcrylic%2Bmarkers%26Size%3D5%2B-%2B15%2Bmm
Pebeo Cerne Relief Thick Paint - https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fpebeo-vitrail-cerne-relief-outliners%2F
Grabie Black and White Acrylic Markers Set of 6 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXPZVKQ1?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.KZOYFXCREPCE&linkCode=tr1&tag=dietzart-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.KZOYFXCREPCE_1764570045832
Black Ink Scrap Pack Decorative Mulberry Papers for Collage - https://amzn.to/3Xnyf7P
Royal & Langnickel Long Blade Offset Palette Knife - https://amzn.to/4pb4pjb
Flat Wide Brushes for Applying Water Wash Set of 3 - https://amzn.to/4iuJjK1
Fan Brushes Nylon Bristle Set of 5 - https://amzn.to/48Oz2nF
Faber Castell Collapsible Tulip Edge Brush Holder Water Cup - https://amzn.to/3Pxxyon
Wood Brush Rest Stand Set of 2 Holds 4 Brushes Each - https://amzn.to/3OrurOi
My Recommended Cloth-Like Viva Paper Towels 3 Double Rolls - https://amzn.to/3EPZhOW
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Note that most of the list of supplies above can be found on the Blick Art Materials website and shipping is generally free for orders of $69 or more. Check them out here: https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2F
************************************If you would like to see other paints, mediums and art supplies that I recommend, click below to go to the Supply Links page on my website:
https://www.dietzart.gallery/supply-links
Or, check out art supply recommendations on my Amazon Storefront. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/tristinadietzelmes
FREE Live Art Lessons Sunday Afternoons
SUNDAY afternoons I teach a FREE ART LESSON simulcast on YouTube Live and on the WhatNot auction platform followed by a giveaway and sale of my handmade artworks, gift items and some art supplies on WhatNot. You can follow the QR code appearing in the YouTube video or follow the Invite link in the video description to join me on WhatNot for some great Live Auction Art & Gifts deals.
If you're new to Whatnot, sign up with the following link and get $15 in Whatnot credit to use to shop on the platform:
https://www.whatnot.com/invite/tristi...
I hope you'll join me and the thriving Artisan community over on WhatNot soon!
Finished Artist Trading Cards from two 9×12in sheets (one of watercolor paper and one of black mixed media paper) by Artist Tristina Dietz Elmes.
Where to Find My Links
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Happy Arting! 🎉